DEPUTATIONS TO THE SUPERINTENDENT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume X, Issue 2905, 21 May 1873, Page 3

DEPUTATIONS TO THE SUPERINTENDENT.

From Cobosiasdei.—A deputation from Coromamlel, consisting of Mr. J. Cadman, Hf.P.C., and Mr. F. Luks, yeaterday waited upon his Honor the Superintendent, to present the following petition:—"To" his Honor tho Superintendent of the province of Auckland. —Tho memorial of the undersigned slieweth : That your memorialists and residents have opened up at the head of tho Waikoromiko Creek, Tokatea, a new district for gold mining, aud have taken up under licences about eighty men's ground, with every prospect of success. That tho promoters cannot go on with any permanent works—such as opening the several mines, and erecting the necessary crushing plant—un'oss a sufficient sledgo track be immediately cut. That a continuation of the present track from the Tokatea saddle to the head of the Waikoromiko Creek would la the most desirable and suitable way to effect communication between these new mines and the termiuus of tho Tokatea tramway at the saddle, opening up at the same ti me a large tract of Provincial Government land known to bo highly auriferous, which is now perfectly locked up for tho want of communication. Your memorialists therefore hope that your Honor will lee fit to instruct the resident engineer to take immediate steps for the continuation of the said track to this portion of the field—a distance of about one mile and a-half. And your memorialists will ever pray." (Signed by 140 persons, miners and others, interested in the Waikoromiko claims, Coromnndel.) —His Honor received the deputation very courteously, and inquired very minutely where these claims were situated, and what the ltkclv prospects of the payable claims were, supposing the Government Bhould be induced to complv with the prayer of the petition.—Mr. Luks "replied to His Honor that there had been a party prospecting the Kennedy's Bay, and Wangapoa side of the Coromandel ranges for tho last two years, and that the n parly had been kept together at considerable cost; success had now crowncd their efforts by tho discovery of a gold-bearing reef, the prospects from which are supposed to bo more than what inoit diggers and persons understanding gold diggings call first-rate. Mr. Luks further explained that the track would commence at the Tokatea tramway and extend about one mile and a-half south of tho present track, so that a large block of good land could be utilised, and give prospectors a further chance of ascertaining the auriferous value of th ; s large block of land, independent of supplying all tho claims on the Tokatea range with mining and other timber. —His Honor expressed himself very favourably to the prayer of the petition, and said he would remit the petition to the district engineer (Mr. Aitken), for him to report upon ; aud if tho report was favourable, the work should bo proceeded with immediately. -The deputation thanked His Honor and withdrew. Mount Albiet Highway District.—A. K. Taylor, Esq. (Chairman of the District Board)", and several other gentlemen waited upon Ilis Honor T. B. Gillies yesterday, as a deputation from the above highway district, in reference to the proposed exchange of tho scoria reserve in their district, for another pie-jo of ground offered by Mr. J. P. Du

Moulin. There was considerable discussion on this question, the burden of the complaint being that the proposed oxchange would deprive them of the means ot obtaining met'd for the roads. The Superintendent, in reply, informed the deputation that the arrangement with Mr. Du Moulin had been carried out bo far as the signature of the agrcemont was concerned, and no alteration could now be made. Xhe district obtained treble the quantity of scoria ash existing on the land taken in exchange ; then there was metal on the metal reserve, and Mr. Du Moulin had further given 'the right to remove scoria from the original reserve, or from any part of his property, for five years from tlie present time. —There was another matter brought forward by the deputation, viz., that damage was being done to one of the district roads by the carts of a person employed in carrying on a Government road contract. The Superintendent said that it was quite true that damage might be done as complained of, but it was in carting metal for the repairs of the main road, in the maintenance of which they, in common with all the northern settlers, were verv much interested. However, Iho would send Mr. Allright to look at the injury complained ot, and if the circumstances of the case justified it, a small allowance might bo made to the Board out of the vote for roads and works north of Auckland.