EXTENDED MINING LEASES.

Westport Times, Volume II, Issue 191, 11 March 1868, Page 3

EXTENDED MINING LEASES.

'{To Hie Editor of the Westporb Times and Charleston Argus.)

Sir, —I take the liberty of sending you a few lines in reference to a matter nvhieh I deem should have every publicity, as indicating the manner in •which mining affairs are regulated in this locality. A short time since, Mr. M'Donald Haines and C0.,0f the Pakihi 'Cement Crushing Company, applied for a lease —about one and a-quarter acres —between a portion of purchased ground by them. As we had raised 200 tons of dirt on one of those portions of ground for them, and knew from actual experience the value of such ground, we, in common with threeother parties, objected to the granting of such lease, as the ground was suitable to be worked as ordinary claims. The Wardeu, however, overruled the

objections and granted the lease; hitherto where leases have been applied for, and objections of so numerous and formidable a character as is in this case brought forward, it has ever proved fatal to similar applications. The mining clause as is generally "understood with regard to leases, should only be exercised in cases where it has been satisfactorily proved that the ground will not pay profitably in ordinary claims. Admitting that great latitude should be allowed to parties who erect machinery exclusively for stich ground, in this case of dispute Buch latitude cannot however be fairly claimed by the Pakihi Company, whose machinery has been erected with the view, and up to the present time, of crushing entirely for the public—tho whole value of whose plant could he erected at a cost of £6OO at an outside estimate.

The ranks of those about leaving for Queensland could not be better augmented than by the plan adopted by the Warden in this case, by which a

number of men have been deprived of many months profitable employment, and thrown it into tho hands of a few speculators.

Another matter of importance is the indifferent manner and inattention of the Warden to inquire into the merits of the matter in dispute while on the ground; such a want of interest as is shown by that gentleman, encourages a feeling of discontent, and is unsatisfactory alike to both parties. The reprehensible conduct of Mr. M'Donald is also worthy of notice in toadying the Warden on this occasion. Human nature is liable to be influenced, and the measure of justice would be best meted out in such cases by avoiding actual personal attendance upon that gentleman, when a case is pending in which he or they may be an interested party. It is true the case has been disposedi of, but it our intention to apply for a new trial, or summon the party for obtaining the ground by misrepresentation. I am, yours truly, J. S. Stockman & Party. Deep Lead, Charleston, March 9th, 1868.