GUMDIGGERS AND COUNTY COUNCILS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIV, Issue 8927, 16 December 1887, Page 5

GUMDIGGERS AND COUNTY COUNCILS.

At the meeting of the Crown Lands Board yesterday, the question of County Council control of gumdiggera came up for discussion. In reply to Mr. Baber's circular to the various County Councils, nine letters were received. The first, from the chairman of the Mango* nui Council, stated that several .years ago their Counoil had applied to the Government to have the control of tho gum industry vested in them for the purpose of iesuing licenses, something after the name fashion as miners' rights wero issued. This plan would prevent illegal taking of gum, would be a source of revenue to the county, and a protection to the gumdiggers themselves. Tho Oonncil agreed with this, and suggested the issue of a license for a feo of 10 a to gumdiggers. The Hokianga Counoil agreed that they should have control of the industry, and that it would be advisable to issue licenses. The Whangaroa Council quite agreed ao to the propriety of some control, bat did not see the practicability of the proposal at present. Tho Bay of Islands Council had received a circular, but had forwarded no reply. The Hobson County Connoil thought Crown lands should be thrown open without any restriction to gumdiggers, except so far as might prevent danger to kauri forests from fire. The Whangarei Council thought it desirable that control of the industry should be in tho hands of the Councils, and that some means should be devised to make gumdiggers contribute to the maintenance of the roads. From the Rodney Council no reply had been received- The Waitemata Council thought it highly desirable that the control of the gumdiggers should be rested in the County Councils. The Thames County declined to take control of the t»umfielde, and considered it undesirable in the present condition of the gumdiggers to enforce payment of a fee for the privilege of digging gum. After these letters had been read by Mr. Tole, Mr. Baber moved his resolution as follows:—"In order to comply with the wishes expressed by the Mangonui, Hokianga, Whangarei, and Waitemata County Councils, it is, advisable that the control of the kauri gum industry, outside of boroughs, be in the hands of County Councils, with the power to prevent digging for, or dealing in kauri gum, without license issued by them for their respective counties, to charge for such licenses and appropriate the pro* eeeds for county purposes ; it being optional for any County to use or decline such control as it thinks fib. It is further advisable that an Act to effect; this purpose be submitted for the consideration of Parliament next session." Mr. Pearce opposed the motion, but the other members of the Board supported It, and it was carried. Some doubt was expressed as to the ability of County CouDcils to collect fees from gumdiggers, oven if legally empowered to do ao.