TO THE EDITOR.

Otago Witness, Volume 02, Issue 2420, 2 August 1900, Page 21

TO THE EDITOR.

'Sib, — The attack being made on the West Matau claim for selfish, ends is a most discreditable one. 'It is plainly fostered by a rival company, which, not satisfied with holding about 100 acres of river and bank, wants also the monopoly of the rich west bank. The people who are writing against the W«st DMatau claim are clearly not doing it to save their- money. They won't help their property hy abusing it. No; their object is to wreck 4lie West Matau ' Company, and give the river people the monopoly. It comes in quite plainly in every letter that is written. Of course, no one could satisfy all the critics. One says there was no gold got in the bores, and when it is shown the bores were not washed up, another 'critic says, in almost as many words, if there is gold he will suggest it was salted. The face is open some 40ft down, and can be washed and tested anywhere ; but this generous opponent thinks he can damn. any claim by suggesting " salting." The people who suggest .these things are generally skilled operators in such tricks. I hope shareholders won't be led away by stories from the opposite camp. The xiver claimholders fear they will have to yield their monopoly, and, be reasonable, or they will get the worst of it; hence these attacks. Both claims could be worked amicably, and with advantage to both; but this will not satisfy the greed of some people. — I am, etc.,

Country Shareholder.

July 27,