THE WAKATIP PETITION.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 591, 9 November 1863, Page 9 (Supplement)

THE WAKATIP PETITION.

(From the Otago Witness, November 7.) In this age of dull common-places it is positively refreshing to meet with a production so thoroughly original in its scope and learning as the Petition which is now being circulated for signature on the Wakatip gold field Certain individuals (and even faith i n the general sanity of the human race forbids us to

believe that they are many in number) appear to have taken offence at the proceedings of the Provincial authorities, aud they now propose to invite the General Government to assume the control of the gold fields; a species of revenge which closely resembles the cutting off of the nose to spite the face. When we first heard of this petition, we naturally expected to find that some very cogent reasons would be assigned in defence of such a monstrous proposition. At the very least, an exposure of the incompeteney of our local Solons might fairly have been anticipated. But, alas ! the mountain has brought forth a mouse; or, to adapt the proverb to the place,—the big lake has yielded a diminutive minnow. Nearly half the petition consists of a recapitulation of. redressed grievances. The other moiety is burdened with complaints, which read more like the repinings of a spoilt child than the remonstrances of sober-minded men. His Honor declined to receive a memorial-—in which, |)y the way, he was plainly charged with ignorance—a mode of expression which the petitioners consider "respectful, though " firm;" and, as a punishment for his contumacy, they ask that the powers delegated to .him under the Gold Fields' Act shall be withdrawn. The Provincial Council refused to increase the number of gold fields' members, and' the. petitioners therefore wish to be governed by the General Assembly. Al- . though—considering that only four votes were : recorded at the last election by the 7000 inhabitants of the Wakatip District—we should; have supposed that they were not veryi tena-' cious of their political privileges. The "actings" (sic) of the Gold Fields' Secretary c " ahurtful" to themr but in what respect they; do not inform us. The mountain passes have not been furnished with smooth macadamised roads in the few months that have elapsed since the miners first disturbed the'lonely homestead of Mr. Rees; and though last, not least, the Provincial Government has not interfered to prevent the sufferings from the severity of the weather. Such are indeed the sole arguments by which the petitioners support their insane and suicidal proposal to transfer the management of the Otago gold fields to the hands of the Auckland Executive. Weak indeed must be the cause whose supporters can adduce no stronger reasons than these. We have always entertained the opinion that the conduct of mining affairs in Otago, if not exactly constituting a model for the world's imitation, at least was equal to that of Victoria, and the petition confirms us in that opinion. Here is a document evidently elaborated with much pains for the express purpose of proving mismanagement; and the result is an utter failure. Most of the specific allegations are of the most puerile character, and many of them are contrary to well-known facts. The charge against the Gold Fields' Secretary, for instance, that he has " made " and unmade Wardens and other officers," is simply untrue. The humblest employe in the Department can only be appointed or dismissed by the Superintendent and his Executive. As to the Secretary's other "actings," the "illegal and despotic" nature of which is prominently paraded in the petition, if they are so injurious as is alleged, why are they not indicated in specific terms ? Surely if he has committed illegal and despotic acts it must be easy to produce some more distinct evidence^ on the subject than is conveyed in the general and sweeping accusation of the petitioners. Yet nothing of the sort is attempted; and we are therefore bound to suppose that the charge cannot be substantiated, and to dismiss the defendant with the good old Scotch verdict of "Not Proven." - '. - . With regard to the political secretaryship, we agree so far with the petitioners as to believe such an appointment desirable for many reasons. But at the same time we are compelled, in all honesty, to deny that "advantage was taken of a thin attendance " of the members of the Provincial Council to re-open the" question; since the number present when it .was last in the House was greater than on the previous night, when it was carried in committee. Even were the case as represented, we fail to perceive any remedy in the transference of all power to the General Government. This is where the logic of the peti-, tioiiers is at fault. They complain that they are not sufficiently represented by three members in the Provincial Council, one being also a member of the Executive; and yet ask that they may be governed by the Assembly, Wherein they have but two members, and by the General Executive, wherein they are entirely unrepresented. They allege delay in. the prosecution of necessary works, and'in the .appointment of gold fields' officers, against the local authorities; yet seek to incur the greater delays which are certain to result from! Government at a distance. Neyer was it our,lot to peruse a petition the promises of which told so directly against the conclusion arrived at. The miners of Otago are now scattered over a vast area, and every day they are further overstepping the boundaries of the proclaimed fields, and outrunning the possible progress of the law. Yet, the Wakatip petitioners coolly, propose that the management of the gold fields shall be carried on at a distance so remote as to render several weeks necessary for the purpose of ordinary communication! We only hope, for the sake of the miners themselves, that the General Government will not take them at their word. The revenue of the gold fields of this Province—though by no means so large as the petitioners assert—would be a very desirable addition to the attenuated treasury of the North Island; and when it was expended on the Maori war, the miners might whistle for the roads, and escorts, and hospitals, &c, on which the whole of that revenue is now spent. The petitioners point to the roads in their district; but we would remind ~fKenrttTat~a~mile of road made anywhere between Queenstown and the capital more effectually reduces the cost of provisions than any two miles made beyond that point can possibly do. We have as yet no means of judging whether this petition is a spontaneous expression of opinion; or the cunningly-devised scheme of a few dissatisfied individuals, to whom any scheme would be acceptable which held out a chance of their floating to the surface. But if the miners suffer themselves to be led astray by such unsound and illogical arguments, we shall be greatly surprised. They are now suffering from the withdrawaldf the power to appoint wardens and magistrates; and if the other delegated powers be withdrawn, they will bitterly rue the folly that prompted them to attach their signatures to this precious document. If they have any grievances, let them seek redress in the proper quarter, and they shall have our support and assistance; but we decline to condemn officials against whom no offence has been proved; Or to facilitate a movement for which no sufficient cause is assigned, and which could only be justified by a far greater measure of misgovernment than any to which Otago has hitherto been subjected.