DUNSTAN.

Tuapeka Times, Volume VI, Issue 1294, 18 September 1873, Page 6

DUNSTAN.

(From our own Correspondent.) I think it was some of your correspondents who said -that if a petition were got up to separate New Zealand from Timbuctoo he oould get two-thirds of the* community to sign it. Had he been in this district during the last fortnight he would have found an analogy to his remark, Ido not mean that we have been attempting to sever the connection oi which he speaks, but rather on the principle of dividing a house against itself. We had first the miners and the agriculturists of Speargrass Flat arraigned before the District Land Board, contending who was to be the possessor of the land, or rather to have the lancl divided; giving a certain portion to each ; but of that I need not say much, as it has- been pretty fully reported in your columns already. We" had then the applicant for a water race from Wai BLeri K.eri Creek for irrigating and domestic purposes, when he found there were objections, getting up a petition, stating that he will proteat himself from any damage that may aocrue to his darn or race through mining operations, and give up .all right without compensation if the ground should be required for mining purposes. Some thought this was only a blind, as, if the certificate was granted, it would be questionable whether the conditions could be enforced. A contra petition followed, praying that, as the Government had compensated and resumed possession of as much of the valley as they could for the use of the miners, the Board would not grant any more rights that might become an obstacle to the miners. The inhabitants of Clyde also petitioned that they had the right to all the water in the Wai Keri Keri after supplying the farmers, which was often insufficient, and that there was no water to divert. The hearing came on before the Board on Wednesday last,, and oconpiecl about 3 hours. Mr. Feraud in support of the application, and Mr, F. J. Wilson for the Corporation and objectors. Mr, Feraud bad got up his case well, which, after the witnesses for the objections had been examined, he handed to the Board in writing. He endeavored to show that the water rights held by the Corporation were not legitimate, the water not being J used for the purpose for which it was granted. This was over-ruled by the Board, who said they were not in a judicial capacity ; the rights were there, and they must recognise them. He also tried to show that he could not interfere with the town rights, seeing that they headed about a mile above the proposed dam and race. It was proved that though the whole of the water were put in the natural bed that very little of it would travel as far as the dam, as the gravel would swallow it up, The miners' objections would be met so long as they were satisfied that hewould not interfere with mining. The Board rejected the application, stating that were they to grant it they>would b*e creating a right which could not be supplied, as it was proved the water was not sufficient for existing rights. It was nothing to them whether these rights were legitimate or not. They were rights from the Crown, and until cancelled - must be recognised. Mr. Feraud, on recei 1 i ig the de< Uion of the Board, stated that he would have Holt's right (which is No. 1) cancelled in a month, Before leaving the subject, as hy the sibova statement we are likely to have more of it, let us look underthe surface for a little. It will be in the. recollection of many of yourreaders that a blook of 50 acres was purchased by' Mr, Ferau.d about Peoenabep last,

and about which there was to be a rehearing at the Waste Lands Board ; but although a day was appointed for that purpose, and an adjournment made to a future day, which seems not to ! have yet come, though it was made only for a fortnight, yet nothing has been heard of it since. In fact all hopes in that quarter have vanished, and the sale is now looked upon as legitimate. Here then you will see the force of this application in its true colors. The i ownerof the 50 acres will have a separate right to the water, and will demand its flow in the natural channel, from whence it is now asked to be diverted for the use of the Monte Christo farm. The refusal of the application to divert will not stop the water from being turned into its natural channel, and unless the Municipal Water Workb Bill overcomes the difficulty, I am afraid there are breakers ahead. Mr. Wilson, the purchaser of the pneumatic dredge, has had her taken up to Clyde, and is removing the engine from her, with the intention of sending it to town. There is some talk of the dredge being fitted with water wheels to do the work of the engine, and then to proceed up the river to make a fresh trial. The Salamander dredge was sold on Wednesday, and fetched £252, subject'to a mortgage of some £20. The purchaser was Mr. Giiudley, who certainly has got value for his money.