THE AUTHORITIES RESISTED AT WANGAPEKA.

Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 594, 16 December 1869, Page 3

THE AUTHORITIES RESISTED AT WANGAPEKA.

(From the Nelson Fxaminer, Dec. 11.) The fears we only half ventured to express on "Wednesday, that the misguided men at Wangapeka would oppose the surveyors employed by Government in carrying out a survey on Crown Land, has, we regret to say, been realized. On Mr Broad, the Goldfields Warden, directing the surveyors to proceed with their work on Monday last, the one in advance was pushed back by a man named Noble; and a warrant for Noble's apprehension having been issued, the constables in whose hands it was placed were not allowed to execute it, violence being threatened if the attempt was made. As the magistrate was supported by only five constables, and the men who violated the law exceed one hundred in number, Mr Broad did not consider it judicious to provoke a conflict, and accordingly withdrew to a house of accommodation a few miles down the valley, to await further instructions. Mr Broad's report of all that took place was telegraphed to the General Government at Wellington on Thursday morning, and this reply was received:— "At present Government cannot form an opinion whether land in question is within or without a goldfield. If within a goldfield, miners having miners' rights have a legal right to the claims they have taken up, the sale being in that case invalid; if not within goldfield, the miners have no such right. Mr Domett will be requested to report to Government on the subject; and Government think that until he has reported, matters should be left as they are. The survey should not be proceeded with, and the land not proclaimed a goldfield." Mr Domett has appointed Thursday next for the inquiry, which will be held in the Court House, and be open to the public. Any of the men at Wangapeka who have an interest in the question will be at liberty to attend. Should it be found that the land, was illegally sold, the reputed purchasers will have to abandon their claims, which we are sure they will do without murmur; and, on the other hand, should the decision be against the miners, we shall hope to see them as readily acquiesce in what will then be clear is the law of the case, and the less thereafter said about a painful business the better. (Prom the Mail, Dec. 13.) Mr Warden Broad arrived in town this morning for the purpose'of attending the court of inquiry to be held by Mr Domett, on Thursday net. Several of the leading members of the miners' committee have also come down, and there can be no doubt that the whole question will be made the subject of a searching, and we hope a decisive, inquiry. The complications attendant upon this unfortunate affair appear to be increased.