POLLUTION OF RIVERS BY MINERS.

Tuapeka Times, Volume VII, Issue 385, 26 August 1874, Page 3

POLLUTION OF RIVERS BY MINERS.

(" Mount Ida Chronicle:') 1 The Goldfields could hardly expect to get off with only a single case being raised as to the validity of water rights licensed for raining purposes. Fools are sure to rush in where lawyers fear to tread. Messrs. Borton and M'Master have broken the ice. The Goldfields are straightway annihilated — "been tolerated my dear fellah, too long. They (the miners) must be taught their real position in the country, as being exceedingly useful at shearitigtimetohelpto dipsheep, but at other times a nuisance — Sir, a positive nuisance !" Messrs. Glasiford Bros, have now taken up the gg.me, and have commenced litigation at Tinkers against Joseph Read aud party. Wo do not know that we can at present throw more light on the real question in dispute than we did in our series of articles in January, February, and March last, the deductions in which have never been contradicted. In the Tinkers case, however, there is this difference, that the freehold was obtained since the establishment of Tinkers as a Goldtield, and consequently was so obtained with its defects. The other strong point exists, as in the Maerewhenua case, that objections were not taken by the freeholder in the one case, and the leaseholder — as we presume he then was only in the other, to the construction of the expensive races and other works in connection with the mines. This is what the lawyers call, we believe, the law of waver. The miners ought by this time to see the necessity of union, and the wisdom of keeping up the existing Mining Associations. We observe a telegram in a Dunedin paper that the Mining Associations is to be asked to defend the Tinkers case. Well and good. We think the Association should do what can be done in the matter : but law, to defend Crown blunders, is foolish and costs money. Now, we understand as a fact that only one subscription hag been sent to the Central Office for the Maerewhenua Defence — that coming from Tokomairiro It is true some lists are being held back, but what amount they represent we cannot say. If the Central Association is to be of real use when difficulties occur the full particulars should be at once sent to the Executive, and not telegraphed vaguely about the country. It is too bad to take initiatory steps leading to expense, and afterwards to throw the responsibility on to the Executive to carry out projects set on foot without caution.

Importation of Abab Horses. — We have already mentioned that the mail steamer Pera has brought to Melbourne four Arab horses, imorted by the w<Ji-imown Indian horse imjor Air. vVm. Learmonth. The "Argus" says that' they were landed in excellent health, though rather low in condition. The most striking animal to the eye 13 Maharaj, a grey horse, standing 14£ hands high, with a very beautiful and intelligent locking head. He is extremely docile. His legs arc well-shaped, and have the appearance of being able to stand any quantity of work. This horse was presented by an Arab chief of tho Aniza tribe to His nighness Aga Khan, a Persian prince well known on the turf. Maharaj is of the highest lineage, and his performances on the turf, at all distances and under all weights, have been first-clas3. Gift is a blue-skinned grey horse, that was presented to the late Lord Mayo by H. H. Syed Turk, of Muscat. At present he is in very low condition. Arab Child is a rich bay horse, only six years old. He shows great power, and has proved that he possesses great staying qualities. The last of the lot is a fleabitten grey horse named Mistake standing a little over 14 hands, showing fine bone, witli very great muscular power. These horses have been selected expressly for the Australian market by Mr. Learmonth, who a short time back imported tho beautiful Arab horse Koh-i-noor. The Law op Libel. — The unsatisfactory state of the law uf libel as it affects slandaring women was commented on in the County Court, Melbourne, recently by his Honor Judge Rogers! In a case heard before him, the allegation was that defendant went to plaintiffs shop, called her an offensive name, arid assailed her chastity, whereby she had suffered lO3S of trade. The charge was denied by the defendant. The plaintiff was unable to prove damages, and his Honor Judge Rugers pointed out that she could not proceed with her action, because, owing to the defect in the law, the words used were not slanderous, and damages could only be obtained by a single woman in a few cases, such as if she had lost an offer of marriage by the epithet applied to her. The following case tending to prove the liability of drivers to make good the loss of any properby entrusted to their charge is reported in Wellington. The Times says : —In the Resident Magistrate's. Court, Mr Snisted, of Foxton, sued Mr Hugh, the driver of the Foxton coach, for £7 10s, the value of a watch placed in his charge by Mr Kinvague, jeweller, for delivery to the plaintiff. Mr Kinvague stated in evidence that the watch, with Mr. Suisted's address at Foxton, were left at the coach's booking office (New Zealand Hotel), at the defendant's request. In due course the watch was taken to Foxton, where the defendant misread the address, and forwarded it to Sehultz's at Itangitikei, in charge of another coach driver. The confusion ' resulted in the watch being lost, and the action was brought to recover its value. His Worship held the defendant to be liable, and judgement was given for the amount claimed and costs. Bad Liquor. — During the process of a case in the District Court, yesterday, says the " Reef ton Courier " of the 7th inst., one of the gentlemen of the long robe made anything but a complimentary reference to the quality of the spirits dispensed by the Peri of our up-country bars. He stigmatises the liquor vended as nothing less than poison, and strengthened his denouncement by saying that men were frequently urged to suicide through its noxious influence upon their minds. His Honor, later on, also joined issue and expressed himself in somewhat similar terms. The opinion of lawyers upon such a subject is not to be dispised, for they are generally understood to be good 4 judges of liquor as well as of law. There can be no question-that the evil referred to, is one of the greatest which ramifies our social system, and annually casts a greater burden upon our charitable institutions fclian perhaps- any other with which we are brought into daily contract. WoitfAK-'s Rtghts. — Scotch lady Cwho has taken a house in the Highlands, her servants suddenly giving a resignation) — what's the reason of this ? Have you not all you want 1 Good rooms and good fresh air and fo6d, and easy ? ■ Spokeswoman — Yes mem; but — but there's .no a decent laad within cry o' us?— " Punch."