Original Correspondence.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 119, 3 April 1862, Page 5

Original Correspondence.

.'-■■ To the Editor of the Otaoo Dailt Ti jijes. ■ Bear Sir, —Approving highly of your advocacy., of the foundation of a Benevolent Assylum 6u .1 permanent footing, I would.through the medium of your excellent paper, suggest to the clergymen of the various denominations appealing to their ilocks on an early day. Knowing how much good has been done in Melbourne by similar appeals, 1 doubt not a liberal ' lesponse would be the result. Should you deem the suggestion worthy of notice, you will oblige a well-wisher of such institutions by giving it a place in your paper. ' Yours respectfully, Manly Tha7keb.

Hope-street, April 2nd, 1562

To the Bd'tior of the Otago Daily Times.

Sir, —Believing that you are always anxious to ad- : ypcatu the cause of those who are oppressed,, we bog '" :ib draw your attention to our hard case^ About three months ago we discovered a bed of Coal, or as it is "termed " lignite," at the Junction, and informed the minorities hereof the fact, making, at the same time an application to be allowed to work the seam. The shaft was repeateJly visited by Major Uroker, who iuforuied us that the Government would : recognise our claim, and 'that he would allow- us an area of four liundred yards. Accordingly we continued working from that time to this, and have raised a considerable quantity of the lignite. Judge of our surprise and disgust when we learnt that our discovery had been ignored, and the contract given to Mr. Read to work the seam discovered by us. Mr. Head _visited the spot, and on finding us in possession, declined to proceed further with the work. In the meantime vjo havq liijfm corresponding with, Government, but'_ cannot ""get any acknowledgihent of our letters. Sir, is it not too bad that we should lose the fruits of our disco- * very, and because of the promise of the Government bo kept working at this claim over three months, and, of course, losing our labor into the bargain 1 Surely, Sir, you will do something'for us,' and bring our case to the notice of the Government, and by your powerful advocacy obtain for us the satisfaction of a definite answer. 'By doing this you. will much oblige

Your obedjent servant, Gj3or.c.B"l)¥KS, , For self and P;u"tuera,

Coalpit, near the Junction, Tuapeka, March 31, 1562