THE TAIRUA MINING LEASES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 10133, 16 May 1896, Page 4

THE TAIRUA MINING LEASES.

In reference to the Tairua mining leases which the Warden, acting on the instructions of the Minister of Mines, lias ordered to be brought in for can* cellation, we presume that Mr. Cadman has, in his telegram to the Chairman of the Miners' Union, said his last word prior to the laying of a settlement sohemeheforeParliamont. Mr. Cadman'a statement is, that "the Government had decided to cancel the rights granted on lands over which the Warden had no jurisdiction, in order to save the holders of these rights the expenses attendant; o:» a Supreme Court action." This is no doubt very thoughtful of the, Govern* ment, but it must occur to everybody that the Warden should not have granted titles in the first plaoe on lauds over which he had no jurisdiction. The Warden of the Thames goldfield has sanctioned mining in some cases for twenty years on the ground, the leases for which be is now directed to "cancel. We do say that there are no opposing rights. The Government has no doubt taken legal opinion on the whole question, and has found that the Kauri Timber Company has a good title as against these holders of mining rights. If the cry is raised that titled that have been fairly acquired must be respected, that must apply to all titles,. But, certainly the Government are responsible if they have granted, titles which they had no right to grant; and especially so when a large- amount of Labour mud capital

have been spent'on the land, * Gad- t man asks the meatowafttifl flays a ( measure before .Parliamtat. M till i Parliament Has dealt witi tbslibJßSti j That is vdry Srifeifnsfftßttjf -ti thein, j because: the uncertainty fwHt may ■; be the. outcome effectusiv pfeVents ( them from' obtaining ..thSfeiafc rice of , capital. They ate rediio«o|6 sisolute idleness, and the value of; thft property ! is taken a Way.' We think tit a n effort - should be" - triads" at once toVdufA fI dm 1 disturbanoe , greurid whichuiaa been ' taken up and worked. TtTGovern- i trient otigllt to ejidealrotir tofect this, i considering ' thai ' they are rjbbnsible i M' these claims bein^o^iipi\..