TUAPEKA MINING BOARD.

Otago Witness, Issue 560, 23 August 1862, Page 5

TUAPEKA MINING BOARD.

ArorsT 19th, 18G2. (FROM OUIt OWN COKRKSPOXDEXT.) The Mining Board met at the Court House, Junction.

Present :— Messrs. Savage, White, M'Masters, Cnples, M'lntyre, Clark, and the Chairman.

The minutes of the last meeting wore read and confirmed

A number of letters were read from the Deputy Superintendent, and the Gold Fields Department.

Ordered to lie on the table

Pursuant to notice of motion, Mr, M'lntyre proposed a resolution, drawing the attention of the Government to the almost impassable state of the roid from the Junction township to the head of Gabriel's and Monroe's, and requesting that they would put this portion in a fit state to allow tiie large amount of traffic to pass over it, without danger. Mr. M'lntyre explained that owing to the iiightful condition of this piece of road, provisions iiacl goods of every description were rendered dearer by the increased amount for carriage which had to be paid before draymen would venture to face it. Two and three pounds a ton extra had frequently to be paid before draymen would undertake to load for Monroe's and Gabriel's, and even then they did not care about it. The state of the roads might be supposed to be out of their province, but as it was a matter deeply affecting the earnings of the miner, and there was no other organized body on the gold field, he thought it prohable the Government would pay some attention to their request. At all event?, he thought it tobe their duty to try, even if the Government should treat their memorial with neglect. Mr. White seconded the resolution in a few remarks, and Mr. M'Masters supported it. Messrs. Clark and Savage thought that the duties of the Board were confined to framin"mining rules and regulations, and had nothing to do with the state of the roads. The portion of the road referred to was in a. very bad state, and they would like to see it repaired, but, for the reason given, would vote against the resolution.

The motion was then put and carried.

Mr. M-Masters 1 motion for the appointment of another Commissioner for the Tuapeka gold field, was postponed till the next day of meeting.

A resolution proposed by Mr. M'lntyre in reference to a map of the district, was withdrawn, on the explanation of Mr. Savage that he had obtained one from Mr Pyke, while in town, but had unfortunately forgotten to bring it to the Board room.

The various letters from the Deputy Superintendent were then considered, and the cierk instructed to acknowledge all but the last, in a formal manner. This letter, in the concluding paragraph complained of the want of cmrtesy on the part of the Board towards the Government, and threatened a disturbance of the "amicable relations," which are at present supposed to exist. It also informed the Board that they had no reason to complain of having been neglected, and ended by express-

ing a- hope that the Board would for the future consult the courtesies necessary in official correspondence.

The terms of a reply to this letter created a considerable amount of discussion. It was pointed out that months had frequently elapsed before the most trivial requests of the Board had been complied with. Even the printed copies of the bye-laws had only been received a day or two "before the Board met, although the manuscript had passed out of their hands five weeks ago. After some further remarks, the Chairman was instructed to write to the Deputy Superintendent, expressing in decided terms, the opiuion of the Board that the Government had not paid that attention to their requests that they bad a right to expect, and that even should a rupture take place, it would be caused solely by neglect and delay on their part.

The Board then adjourned to Tuesday next at 9 o'clock, when the printed byclaws will be revised and passed.