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Waikato Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 2376, 1 October 1887, Page 2

The course of action recommended by us on Thursday, with reference to the Waitoa goldfields, has been adopted by the Mayors of Hamilton and Cambridge, who, it will be observed, are convening a public meeting in each borough, to take place this afternoon. It will be recollected that the late Minister of Mines, Mr Larnach, declined the offer of Miff. B. Smith to purchase his property, after the auriferous nature of the soil had been proved beyond a doubt. Since that a private company has been formed in Christchurch to work the rich mineral deposits. The gold-bearing strata has been found extending through several other properties in the vicinity of Mr Smith’s. There is no saying over how vast an area these immense veins of the precious mineral do not roach. It may practically be said that they are to be found throughout the whole of the Piako Plains, if not in districts beyond them. The report of our Te Aroha correspondent in another column bears us out in this view. There is evidently a disposition in other quarters to retain these magnificent fields in the hands of, private companies and raonoplise their great wealth. It is against this it behoves us to guard by every means. Mineral deposits of an auriferous or argentiferous nature are not private property, oven if found on private lauds, but belong to the State. It is the duty of the State, the extent and value of the gold-bearing character of the ground being proved, to acquire all lands within the golden zone, and throw them open for the public benefit, under the usual goldfield regulations. What an iniquitous thing it would be, at a time when thousands of men and families are crying out from one end of the colony to the other for employment, if the means for providing them, and thousands more as well, with honest and profitable occupation, should be denied them, but be bestovvcci on a few privileged individuals and speculators ! This is the aspect of the question to be taken by the meetings, and we trust they will by resolutions, and through our members, Messrs Whyte and Jackson, draw the attention of the Government of the day to the importance of taking the necessary steps to have the Waitoa declared an open goldfield.

Several enquiries have been made respecting the securing of the corners of the voting papers by the Returning Officers at the late elections. Clause ill), .Regulation of Elections Act, 1 St>l, provides that the corners shall he secured by gum, or otherwise; which leaves it open to Returning Officers to perform the act of security in any other way they think most convenient. It has been the general practice to double up the corners firmly ; and whatever irregularity may ho charged against that method is covered by a saving clause in the Act. Clause 71 provides When any accident or unavoidable impediment, niiifeasance, or omission happens, the Governor-in Council may take all such measures as may ho necessary for removing or rectifying the same, or may declare any or all of the proceedings at or for any election valid, notwithstanding such impediment, misfeasance, or omission.