ORIGINAL CORRESPONDECE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 273, 4 November 1862, Page 4

ORIGINAL CORRESPONDECE.

MR, PYKE ON THE GOLD FIELDS. (2'o the EaUor of the. Otago Daily Tijiks.) Waitahuna, 30th October, 1832. "These things which now seem frivolous and slight, Will prove of serious consequence." -- Roscommov. bin— I am one of tbe number of permanent residents on Waitahuna, and knowing your straightforward course in exposing- official reJ-tap-ism, when exercised to the disadvantage of thosa who have cast their lot in Otago, I venture through the medium of your valuable journal to propose a few questions to the powers that be. 1. I ask "why the £200, voted for roads, &c, to meet the requirements of this Waitahuna District, have n«vcr been heard of since the appropriation ] 2. The Government promised to finish the sinkiug of a deep prospecting1 shaft: how that promise was fulfilled the miners well know. , 3. Mr "Vincent Pyke, v.-'io was so heartily and cordially welcomed by the assembled „ miners, promised faithfully to send a mining surveyor forthwith ; that has not been done, and naturally confidence in Government is considerably shaken. The need of a mining surveyor was felt severely. The question that had arisen previous to MrPykt's visit was, would it pay to cut a rather gigantic " h^ad-raee" (ot course with Government assi-tance) ; that sch?nie was agreed upon,' and ATr Pyke's promise, was that Government would give its assistance—that aid has not been forthcoming, 4, The residents on Waitahuna have to bring their civil and criminal cases on two stated days out of the seven, thereby often involving the loss of a day, or day and a-half, to the plaintiff or defendant, or both. In conclusion, Mr Editor, 1 may remark that it has been a matter of surprise to many on Waitakuua thafc^ considering the paucity of magistrates in this district; and the (certainly) official position our worthy coroner (Dr Samuels) holds, vhat he has not not heretofore been gazetted a Justice of the Peace— which advancement has been established, with very few exceptions, in Victoria; New South Wales, Tasmania, South Australia,•&<»., &c. Trusting- that these few remarks will be found worthy of you- attention, and knowing the trenchant siyle you.deal with Government inefficiency, I trust to your beiajf kind enough to (at your convenience) call the attention of th« Government to the cavalier treatment this district lias beeu subjected to. I have -the honor to be, Sir, Your obedient servant, Fiat Justitia.-