THE WAIPORI SETTLEMENT.

Evening Star, Issue 19697, 26 October 1927, Page 2

THE WAIPORI SETTLEMENT.

TO THIS KDITOII. Sir, —I would like to say a word in reply to the Wellington notes referring to me on tho occasion of the passing of tho Dunedin City Corporation Empowering Bill. Notwithstanding Mr Tapley’s inaccuracies, 1 have nob been dealt with at all, in connection with tho closing of the Waipori goldfields. Tho corporation received more than value in water rights and mining property for any money or concession I received from them, and I gave them all I undertook to give them then and there, while i never yet received any property or concession from the city without endless loss and delay, owing to the absolute incapacity with which each position was handled. 1. surrendered no lease, as Mr Tapley states, but I took over plant and property on lease from the city, the said lease being part payment lor valuable water rights and storage areas. The properties leased were never yet completely delivered; with Quixotic courtesy I bid their utter incompetence, and gave the city a quittance when part only of tho leased pioperty was delivered, accepting Hie word of honor of Lbo City of Dunedin that the shortage would he made up from certain specified properties. Tlu>e properties were disposed of without reference to me, and to this day, duo to tho continued shortage, I have not done one single day’s work with the leased properties, tho city sitting back ou its quittance, plus its dishonored word. This matter was waiting adjustment when tho closure of the goldfield on me without compensation was added, tho closure confining me to the lease, from which I otherwise could have obtained relief. I had given the city the right to Hood me without compensation, when ready, but the closing of the goldfield was a horse of another color. The open goldfield was the base of my agreement with tho corporation, and by closing it they wore destroying all value on my side, while insisting on piling up rents for what 1 never received, and trying to keep alive all tho obligations, tho agreements dc manded from me. Tho position is an impossible one, and demands a generous adjustment, while allowing me the full advantage of working until flooded. I. have not met, with fair play, while from me the corporation received every assistance.

I assisted to keep the hydro-olec.tric mining interests separate, and provided them with storage areas that would have enabled them to keep developmentahead of power demand until all mining had ceased. I refused to have anything to do with the “ compensation_stunt,” and sought only to adjust my interests to the changing conditions, demanding only payment for actual damage and loss. However, the matter must be fought out other ways, but T must enter my public protest that I was first assured of fair play by the towu clerk—- “ trust the corporation; leave yourself in our hands ’’—and after doing so and courteously allowing their Bill through, they proceeded to put more hurdles across my path than they could possibly have done for any enemy.—l am, etc.', John T. Johnson. October 25. \