Original Correspondence.

Lake Wakatip Mail, Volume I, Issue 43, 26 September 1863, Page 6

Original Correspondence.

To the Editor of the Lake Wakatip Mail. I Slß,—The zeal with which you have ever ad- j vocated the mining interest since the establish- ' ment of your valuable paper in this district, will, I trust, excuse me in requesting an insertion of this letter in your paper. The strictures which , yon as a journalist constantly apply regarding the supineness of the Government, its abuses of patronage, is regarded .as conferring a benefit on the ininingcommumty; and if anything were wanting to rouse the indignation of the miuers in this locality, regarding the recipients of offices of trust and "responsibilitv under the Crown, the »-ecent j appointment of Mr. Broad to a Wardenship, is j calculated to undeceive the most incredulous. His recent visit to settle disputes on this Point, is replete with instances of his unfitness to grap- ? pie with the most ordinary of mining affairs. Hasty and improper decisions, caused by imperfect enquiry into cases, characterise the line of conduct adopted by him on that occasion. 6ases that required but little forethought or ability to settle, but prevented by misconception of the bye-laws—removing the position of claims legally held by parties, to their loss and against thtir wish—granting injunctions—receiving numerous applications for surface ground, thereby encouraging a desire in many miners to possess that which, if it had any existence, could only be obtained by any one or two—and, finally, rescinding, or rather postponing, his decision to j some period in the future, entailing thereby a serioos and unnecessary delay, which is of vital importance to them during the present low state of the Shotover. A question arises in the minds of men, by what influence, chancr, or the turn of the wheel of fortune, he is indebted in occupying so eminent a position in the Wakatip district. Hitherto the miners have been so engrossed in their own pursuits during the past unprofitable winter, as/to disregard all else ; but any remissness or apathy on the part ot the Government in the future, will be closely watched; and it v, ould be well for them to remember that changes of parties in power are constantly occurring, and that whoever directs the destinies of the country should watch over and guard the interests of a class of men who are such large producers. By so doing, they would be able to command the respect of all connected with mining; bat no Government can hope to do so while they employ incapable agents to carry on its machinery. Arthur's Point, Shotover, Sept 17,1863.