THE THAMES GLODFIELDS.

Otago Witness, Issue 941, 11 December 1869, Page 7

TH E THAMES GLODFIELD S.

„i v>4 ( , K / 0 , ..^u.^.^^'KoVemberS^nd I ,",'^ I' + Since mylaskletter thVi election rf or. the 'place; .» ( Great . «xciieinent prevailed *aV'fl» 4 . Tniwne ff B > and i £a*ty- feeling, ran high. ...Some of the sup- ... Mr.WilUamflon formed them-^ selves into a /Vigilance i Committee, with " *tae v view of preventing voters, from re r^ '! cording their votes hi favour" of Mr1 Gillies. At an early hour bnthe day of the - 'poU^hey surrounded the approaches to the polling 1 booth, and refused' to allow 'voters to pass unless they produced their 'voting tickets, when anyone exhibiting ia ticket in' favour of Mr' Gillies, wasimme'"diately jostled 'and assaulted; No precautions were takWby the authorities to, ensuWgood order arid free voting, and ' ''it is believed that the -rowdies- prevented three Hundred VoterS'iroui recording their votes in fav6ur ©f Mr Gillies. The proceedings were most disgraceful, and have converted many to in the necessity 'of vote by ballot. The 1 conduct of 'one of the Wardens and Magistrates at the Thames is much censured, as> upon the declaration of the poll upon being chaired by a number of rowdies, lie waved his hat as if a triumph had been obtained— but it wa3 the triumph of lawlessness over good order and right. In consequence of the intimidation resorted to, Mr Williamson obtained at the Thames a majority of 385; but it is beyond a doubt, that Mr Gillies has received the major support of the thinking portion of the electors during the late election, the feeling being general that the altered' circumstances of the province require a change in the political heads. Both of the candidates profess to be stannch(supporters of Provincialism, and the selection has depended more upon the men than the policy. I have nothing new to record in reference to mining matters. The holders of claims have now to rely upon their own resources for their development, the influx of foreign capital having entirely ceased. A great injury has been done to the field through the foolishness of capitalists buying into untried claims they knew little or nothing about, at ridiculously high prices, thereby putting large sums of money into the pockets of promoters, who took care not to expend their gains in the development of the field. In many cases purchasers of shares have been guided in their investments by agents having an interest ia puffing certain claims, as well as a pecuniary interest in the sales. The losses already incurred by investors are operating very prejudicially. They have stopped the investment of capital at a time when it is most required. The cause of the present depression does not lie with the resources of the mines, but in the improper mode of Working and management hitherto adopted, together with the countless scrip issued. The time is not now far distant -when many of the present companies will be wound up. When that time arrives there will be a chance of a better system being initiated, which may result in dividends being the rule, and not as now the exception. The greatest sufferers by the scrip mania have certainly been the Auckland people. They caught the fever at its worst stage ; and the savings of years have in too many cases been dissipated in a few weeks — the extensive merchant down to the humble washerwoman having alike fallen victims to the ravages of the disease. I regret to have to say that a large number of men are at tho present time out of employment. This ia partly the result of the leasing system, as it has enabled many companios to dismiss all their men, pending the granting ot their leases. Many look forward with hope to the opening of the Upper Thames, which is expected to take place shortly ; but there is no guarantee that it will result in the opening of a fibld superior to those now worked. But, irrespective of the payable character of tho Upper Thames district, thoro will be quito an exodus of tho working miners from here, as miners invariably prefor workiojr their own claims, if at all likely to be payable, t<> working for wages for otliora. It is to ho hoped that leasing will not be permitted at tho Upper Thames until the miners have had a fair trial granted them under their miner's right*. The leasing regulations have been greatly abused at the Tlwinos and Coromandel in the interest of the Bpoculator,