Original Correspondence.

Otago Witness, Issue 571, 8 November 1862, Page 5

Original Correspondence.

{To the Editor of the Otago Witness.)

Sir. -Having ob-erved in the Colonist, of Ihe24th ult., statements from " Our own Correspondent," Gabriel's Gully, 17th October, 18'S2, in which he states that White and party, and Curtis and party are "very unjustly dealt with/by one or two parties." Sir, I being one of the parties accused, I beg to s>tate, through the columns of your piper, that bis stateme r.ta in the matter are false, so fir aa lam concerned. My complaints against W. and party, and C. and pany, were just, and were proved &o in the Warden s Court.

And the correspondent, who was in one of the hillsluicing paities, and is still, unless lately discb.nr/jel, should know tint those parties are the cause of the whole adjudication, continual trouble, and vexation, iv hnvine diverted the water from its natural coarse, thereby eausinu a scarcity of it to the ordinary Juicers onthe Flat, and. iv consequence of several complaints l^ina- nrnde regarding- their rights to the water, also, of their mode of discharging it. Th it the Warden issued " Notices " on or about the Ist ult., to W, and party, and C. and paity, (I saw them serv<d.) commanding then" to confine their tailinira, so as to leave the water fit for use" And that ''any neglect of" the same, would "subject "them to "prosecution." The slightest notice was not taken of these instaietions, by either party ; and things went on wor.-e. tiil on tbe 11th and 13ihof the same month, their tailrace overflowed, and filled my head-race with all kinds of rubbish from the hill, bi caking one of the boxes therein, and entailing labor, expenses and less of time on myself and others. And wok c than all, as yet noarran-iemeritshad been made to prevent this penning evil. I would like to know wher ■ the " Corre>- t ,ondf nt " was ai> this time, or whether he was drunk or dreaming Hint he couhl nor see, hear, or know thv.se tacts ] In se'.tiing this case, the Warden says " that if such way of working is not soon ended," ho would " hrtve the water turned into its original channel a^ain." Whitp, M.M.8., replies "I always had the water, and will !«ep it as long as I require it." Sir, it'- strange, that the-e facts should escape the notice of the (.ill-sluicing " Correspondent," who can .-cc tilings that never happened. The fact of it, is, Mr X litor, this race and party are the. cause of more trouble, thin all th' 1 other race* on the TuapekaGold Fields; for there is scarcely a week .but there is a case in Court against them for damages. In conclusion, I would recommend the "Correspondent" to confine himself to the truth, in matters concerning me,— l remain, Sir, Your humble anl most obedienf servant, , . , Jno. Boki.no, Digger. Gabriel's Gully. bB

{To the Editor of the Otago Witness,)

Sir,— " Unlock the Lands" came too late ai the rally cry in the Press and nt the hustings in Victoria. The golden torrent of its midden richer ha 1 flown from its gold fields past its capital, out of Hobsou's and beyond its boundaries, for goods uud importations of all kinds.

Mnny of these could liave been produced in Victoria it*e!f, and would have been to its enrichment, had the fortunate digger and other sintill capitalist breii allowed to occupy and cultivate the land at an early periol of the £old yield. But those men were allowed to depart aud make homes elsewhere, and the double drain of men and money, lesulting from impolitic land laws, l>as much detracted from the prospet ily of our sifter coLmg. Hie is now trying her Jiand at leasing for agricultural and horticultural purposes. The Government is bloating itx'-lf into a monster landlord with monster capitalists, as serf-like tenants, and C.U.D., as bailiff. Bit the principle o lr&.iiigby a (iovernnn'nt, except for grazing purposes*" it bad. as being of socialistic leniency and interfering with the rights of property and labor. Jt if to be hoped that Otago and this a^eat Middle Island at large will benefit by the experience of > >ther gold-bearing countries, and that her legislators will aim at making her a populous and producing, rather than an importing, country. And doubtless the way to do this is to open the lands freely for settlement. Our land is not moie vnlualiln than that of California and should be as easily obtain ible. Let us adopt the liberal ! w of Cowper and Robertson, of New South Wales, and make " free selection before survey 1 the motto of immediate settlement, and of our early and future praspeiity. Faithfully yours, J. DE COUECY YOUHO.

Junction, Tnapeka, November 4, 1862,