VIGILANCE COMMITTEES.

Lake Wakatip Mail, Volume I, Issue 6, 20 May 1863, Page 3

VIGILANCE COMMITTEES.

As the winter draws nearer towards us, rumors of the discontent prevailing in the distant and isolated creeks and gullies of this district grow more threatening and ominous; and we believe the forthcoming season will be a bitter one for all, and result in dire disorder and bloodshed, if prompt and energetic efforts are not made to remedy and suppress it. Even now, when the snow's white mantle is only just enveloping the hills, we hear of lawless riot prevailing, and constant fights, often ending seriously, between the diggers and the usual gangs of wretches accompanying a New Zealand field, who prowl about, sticking-up and maltreating all who they think worthy of it, and "jumping" every claim rich enough to excite their cupidity. Can it be expected that those bold and independent spirits who have hazarded everything and toiled so manfully to acquire and work a good claim, should stand tamely by and see the fruits of their labor torn from them by miscreants, whose only right is their cowardly brute strength ? We should venture to predict not, while there is a revolver or weapon at hand, for they have both the will and the determination to use it, nor can we blame them since the Government will not give them the protection they have a right to claim. The diggers about Skipper's a short time ago applied to Mr. Wood, the Warden, for his sanction to the establishment of a Vigilance Committee, when the following answer was returned to their application: -

Maori Point, 27th April, 1863. Gentlemen —We, the undersigned, wardens of the Wakatip district, having carefully considered the position of the inhabitants of this district, and your application to ns to assist you in forming a Vigilance Committee for the purpose of suppressing violence, and maintaining due order amongst you, consider that the object in view will be better attained by our recommending the Government to station at some convenient spot in this locality a sergeant of police and constable. Such a force would always be supported by the well-disposed amongst you, and would be a recognised authority to receive that support. You must bear in mind that, however willing such a committee might be to maintain law and order, it would be subject to serious drawbacks, and it wou'd be impossible for us as Magistrates to legalise its formation. Whilst the police force, however small, would always receive the support of the well-disposed miner, and would consequently be equal to any emergency that might possibly arise. We have the honor to be, Your most obedient servants, (Signed) John Nugent Wood, Warden. Richmond Beetham, Warden. To Daniel Grove, and others signing the letter alluded to.

In accordance with this promise, Sergeant Neale and a constable were stationed at Maori Point, but such an extensive " force " not being deemed sufficient, the following letter was sent to the Wardens:— Shotover, near Skipper's, 30th April, 1863. Gentlemen—l have been requested by the miners signing a request to you, dated 22nd instant, to acknowledge yours of the 27th inst., in answer to the same. The miners in this neighborhood consider that you have fully anticipated their wishes in promising to recommend the Government to appoint a sergeant of police and constable tor this locality. They trust that you have already forwarded your recommendation, and that the appointed officers may be on duty at an early date—a consummation which will entirely dispense with the serious necessity of forming a Vigilance Committee. They still desire to inform you that a local committee should be formed during the winter months, to assist in settling mining disputes when the season deprives them of your power and jurisdiction. The decision of the said Committee, if approved of by the sergeant, to be maintained by him (the sergeant) to the extent of depriving jumpers from working ground lawfully held by others. You are no doubt aware that where there are golden claims in isolated positions, gangs of men have gone on the pretence of measuring the same, and taken up the whole on the merit of their physical strength, or allowing the lawful owners only a portion of their legal claim, on the pretence of the area not being what the regulations allow. You are also well aware that bands of men may take up areas of ground beyond the prescribed area, and in your absence defy others from working or taking up a claim, or portion of a claim, adjoining their legal boundary. Such

cases the miners of this locality consider of sufficient importance to warrant them in forming a local committee, or society, to guard against such. You will perceive that the only power the miners desire is to give unlawful men who determine to remain so, in charge to those appointed by the Government to deal with them. The miners of this district will heartily assist the local police force in any or all emergencies, and also by other means of information for the detection of crime.

A public meeting of the miners to carry out the purposes mentioned will take place shortly, and the miners who signed the former letter to you would be glad to submit to the meeting any suggestions concurring with our object, which you may be inclined to give. On behalf of the miners alluded to, I have the honor to be, Your obedient servant, Daniel Grove. To Messrs. Wood and Beetham, "Wardens, Wakatip.

We understand that the result of this memorial is, that another application will be sent to the Government for an additional body of police, to be stationed near Skipper's. Let us hope that Mr. St. John Branigan will testify as great an interest in our police system as he has done with respect to our roads, and grant the application.