WARDENSCOURT,HOKITIKA

Thursday, Aug. 20th (Before D. Macfarlane, Esq., Warden.) APPLICATIONS. R. Ferguson, 2 extended claims, 1 acre each, Back creek, also tunnel and tailing site. Mr Northcroft appeared for applicant. The Warden said he had visited the locality and been interviewed by a number of miners with a view to refuse ing large areas in this locality as recent discoveries had proved they could be worked in ordinary claims. He would grant ground to the size of an ordinary claim on each application, applicant to have till 12 o'clock the following day to mark out the claims, after then the miners could go on the ground. The tunnel was granted, as also the special site, the area being reduced to 40ft x 80ft.

James Park, special claim, 100 acres, Seddon'a terrace, preliminary hearing. Mr Park said at the request of a number of miners he desired to alter the name of the applicant to that of Charles Davey, this could not be done now but an assignment could be made afterwaids. This was a part of the Kanieri Lake scheme and some of the applicants were members of that party. The Warden said he had received a petition signed by 150 miners protesting against the granting of special areas, excepting the one applied for by Grimmond and Party in consideration of their bringing in the Kanieri Lake waterrace. — In answer to the Warden, Messrs D. Beatty, J. Phelan, and R. Hartwigsen detailed their objections to this grant. They said a number of men were waiting to take up extended claims as soon as there was a prospect of the water coming in. — The Warden having discussed the matter with those present said he would adjourn all applications for special claims on that field for a month and in the meantime would visit the ground.

H. L. Michel, special claim, Cedar creek, (the Rolla). Mr Gibson appeared for applicant. — Granted, subject to the approval of the Minister.

James Holmes, special claim, 100 acres. Bullock 'creek, (Big Reef Company). Mr Northcroft appeared for applicant. — Granted, subject to the approval of the Minister.

J. Griff en, tunnel, Back creek. — No appearance. — Struck out.

J. Crowley, and C. Cro.wley, residence sites, one acre each, Blue Spur. Mr Northcroft appeared for applicants. — Granted.

Thos. Borkin, extended claim and tailrace. Rimu. Mr "Gibson appeared fo r applicants and withdrew the application.

M'Diarmaid and Party, extended claim, 4 acres, and also tail-race, Ritnu. Mr Park appeared for applicants. — Objected to by Borkin and Party on the ground that the area was excessive. Mr Gibson appeared for objectors. Formal objections were also made by fawners of residence sites P. Keenan and John Hollowood (for whom Mr Northcroft appeared). Mr Park admitted that the area was excessive but pointed out that a number of residence sites and other rights were included in this area which reduced the area actually •btainable to four acres. The tail-race wan granted and the application for the claim adjourned to next court day to permit of survey. At 1 p.m. the Court adjourned to 2.15 H. Thomas, extended claim, Tucker flat. — Granted.

W. H. Harvey, extended claim, 2 acres and tunnel, Tucker Flat.— Granted.

Philip Boyd, extension water race, Arch creek. - Granted.

John Duske and Party, double area claim and tunnel, Back Creek* — Granted.

AlbertiUpjohn and Party, tunnel, Back Creeic.- Granted subject to Ryan and Partj 's prior rights. W. J Houston and Party, protection 3 months, tail race and extended claim, Seddons Teirace — Granted. The Ge-ui-t then, closed,