MINING SURVEYS.

Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 485, 1 April 1869, Page 2

MINING SURVEYS.

(To the Editor of tJus Westport Times.) Sib, —Permit me through your paper to correct certain erroneous opinions that the miners in these districts appear to have relative to surveyors. I have been told they think that no surveyor's, except the mining surveyor's, word is taken in Court, and that the surveys are not of the same weight. This is a great mistake, as they may have seen in many cases where I have appeared. They are not compelled to employ the mining surveyor excepting in leases or extended claims. In all other surveys they can employ whom they think proper. In the late case of Perry v. Browne I was requested to go out with the mining surveyor. I did so. The measurements I required were trifling, as I intended plotting my work on the old plan I did for Perry's party for their previous case. This I did, and on comparing my book with the mining surveyor's we agreed to a fraction, thereby proving my previous surveys to have been perfectly correct in their case against Luke. Again when they employ the mining surveyor, the only return they get for their money is a tracing, not a plan, whereas I give the miner a large scale plan of his claim, so that he can plot with a common rule any of his future workings. These things should not have been brought before the public except in vindication of myself and to correct the false impressions that are afloat, independently of allowing the Government to pocket all the jees for the

benefit of Nelson and the official salaries, so that they may drive away other qualified surveyors out of the field and have all the loaf to themselves.— I-am, Sir, yours &c. J. "W. G. Beattchamp, Surveyor. Westport, March 29.