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Lake Wakatip Mail, Volume I, Issue 14, 17 June 1863, Page 4

DEPUTATION TO VINCENTPYKE, Esq, A deputation, consisting of Messrs. Walker, Gash, Harris, Bracken, Macfarlaae, Cass, Bruce, Cassius, and Powell, waited on Vincent Pyke, Esq., GoLdfields Commissioner, on Saturday morning. Mr. K. Harris, in stating the* object of the deputation, said that the inhabitants of Queenstown wished to make a few remarks to the Government through Mr. Pvke, concerning the grievances labored under by them. If that gentleman would take the trouble to examine the record-books of the Court, he would find thai all the causes—or nearly all—tried there were concerning Queenstown, and there was scarcely a single case in which Frankton bad any inter est whatever. If the Government took away their Gold-receiver, as they had removed the Warden, he might inform Mr. Pyke that all the banks in Queenstown had unanimously agreed not to send their gold to Frankton for transmission by escort. They would not incur the extra risk. He was also under the impression that if the Government kept the camp at Frankton, the extra police expenses rather heavy. With regard to the road to the Shotover he would leave that to some other gentleman who was better acquainted with the locality and its requirements* Mr. Pyke thought it would be better if he* answered each question seriatim. He admitted the importance of the subject, and felt gratified at receiving the deputation, who could inform him upon the necessities of the district. The Government had no desire to place the camp* buildings anywhere not suited to their convenience. He must disabuse their minds on one point. The deputation would all admit that were all to be begun over again, that Frankton would be the best site for a township, but it wastoo late now to consider of that—Queenstown was the township. When the Warden was instructed to call for tenders for the erection of the' camp buildings, it was in the month of January,, but it was not till March that they were sent in, when the Government issued instructions not to* accept any tender. Mr. Wood, however, in the - meantime had accepted one on the part of the Government* for the erection of the buildings at Frankton. Officially, he (Mr. Pyke) knew nothing of the removal of the camp, and it should not be imputed to the Government. He was up here for the purpose of looking into the state ol aftairs and reporting thereon. He was not a member of the Government, andjwas decidedly of opinion that there should be a magistrate and court-house at Queenstown. He was sure the Government would not insist on the removal of the camp. In two days, however, he should have time to see the place, and would have much pleasure in intimating to the deputation or to anyone whom they might appoint, what his report would be. Mr. Harris wished to bring under Mr. Pyke's notice the subject of roads, and would introduce to him Mr. Gash, who could better explain the requirements of the district in that respect. Mr. Gash said that he was a miner at Skipper's and a storekeeper in Queenstown, and was pretty well acquainted with the road, which was at present almost impassable, adding immensely to the prices which the miners were compelled to pay for everything. Things were so bad up there that men were begging for bags with which to make dams—their money being run out, and provisions being doubled in value by the carriage. He had Ll4O worth of stores at his claim, and had to pay from ninepence to one shilling per pound for the packing of it from here to Skipper's. When he went up there he

woiictawd he wm raking both his own life and his hone's. the loss of time entaW upon them by thecamp being at Frankton, where after being all day, Sey had to come back to Queenstown at mgnt Thediggers were willing to rebel at 2efr£e*ances. The peopleof Queenstown would not object so much if the court were at Mid that one of the first ordera given to the Ifining Surveyor waa to report about the upon a pack mZT to the Upper Shotover—Maori Point and gjpert. TheWeinmenthadsentuptothe harden to get a pack road made. Hewould remarked that the inhabitants of Qneenstown had already subscribed for the forBMttaofaroad, but the amount was necessarily cntll and insufficient. Up pyfce requested to know if there were any centlemen present who would go with Mr. Wrurht and assist him in finding the best track? Mr Bracken said there would bono difficulty in making a track to Arthur's Point Mr Pyke asked if Mr. Bracken had any objection to go with Mr. Wright. Mr. Bracken—Not the least Hrl pyte said tut if it could be done for any reasonable amoant, v he was sure the Government wouMdoHmstan&r. Mr. Gash remarked that it was a pity the Government did net come forward with one or two hundred pounds when Queenstown had sub* scribed to make .the road. It would then have been done months ago. Mr. Pyke replied that had such a proposition beau known they Would have immediately done so. He himself put LSOW on the late Estimates lor roads. Mr. Bees said that he intended to shift to Frankton, as the land about Queenstown was now quite useless for pastoral purposes, and had no hesitation in saying that Queenstown was the best and most central place for a township, frankton, before a Warden was appointed to the Arrow, would have been the best site; but now it was ridiculous to place one there, away from Qneenstown. He would not fight any more about the land and only expected fair compensation. He would have to leave, and had no hesitation in speaking openly* Queenstown had been completely ignored by the late Government Mr. fyke never knew an instance in which the present Government refused to grant a road. Mr. Harris wished to know concerning the dray road from here to Frankton. Mr. fyke was surprised that they had not heard that His Honor had assented to the formation of the road. He did so a week before the speaker left town, in answer to a memorial sent to him by the residents of Queenstown. Mr. Bees said that the camp buildings at Frankton would not be a loss to the Government Frankton would be the best and most central piece for the Hospital, &c. Mr. Pyke assented. Mr. Caseins said that the miners desired a perambulating Warden, so that their disputes might be settled on the spot, and thus save them much loss of time. Mr. fyke said that the warden was bound to visit every part of his district at certain times. Mr. Harris said the miners at Maori Point and Skipper's wanted a warden to visit them at stated intervals—say twice a week. But if Mr. Pyke went up the Shotover the miners would inform him of their requirements themselves. Mr. Cass thought a resident magistrate at Maori Pout would be the beet, as it was a central position on the Shotover. Mr. fyke said that Mr. Wood had never complained of having more than he could do. They had no idea another warden was required. Mr. Harris said that it would be an advantage if the Government were to appoint a J. P* to assist the Warden in his duties. There were many men in the district capable of filling that

Mr. Pyke—That is a General Government affair. The Provincial Government have not the power to appoint them. Mr. Hams—But they can recommend them. Mr. Cms advocated an increase in the police force.

Mr. Pyke was not at liberty to say anything on that point It was appertaining to the department of Mr. St John Branigan. Mr. Cassias wished to know when the township would be surveyed and sold. Mr. Pyke said it could not be done at present. The Goldfields Act contained a clause forbidding the sale of the land. In Victoria the local legislature passed an act and it at once became law; but in New Zealand it was different—a goldfields act must go to England for the Imperial sanction; and an amendment on the old Act had been sent home since last July, and it was now daily expected, after the receipt of which there would be no longer delay; the ground would be surveyed and sold at a certain upset price, which would be fixed by the Waste Land Board. Mr. Harris, in the name of the deputation, thanked Mr. Pyke for his explanation, and patient hearing of them. Mr. Pyke again expressed his gratification that the deputation had waited on him, after which they withdrew.