The Thames Advertiser. FRIDAY, APRIL 16,1875.

Thames Advertiser, Volume VIII, Issue 2021, 16 April 1875, Page 2

The Thames Advertiser. FRIDAY, APRIL 16,1875.

"We do not know whether the present Government—or, to apeak more precisely, Dr Pollen—wishes the people of the Thames to came to the conclusion that Ministers do not desire any inquiry into the matter of the famous obtaining of miners'rights by certain persons at Ohinemuri before the issue from the office, but really it would seem so from the course which is being pursued. Major Keddell has been appointed to make an inquiry, but it seems that he has really no more power than any man who might be picked up at the street corner.' How he will proceed in the circumstances we can hardly imagine. "We presume he will request those who have any statement. to make to come forward and make it to him, while every-, body is aware that those who do know anything of the matter ai'B interested in keeping their information secret, and could only be made to tell upon compulsion. ■ It would be infinitely better for the .Government to say that they had resolved not to, make any inquiry than to begin one which, is obviously a . farce. The Government oughttoconsider themselvesbound to see to the purity and credit of their own administration, and when a wholesale fraud has been perpetrated in one of their offices, they onght to sift it to. the bottom. If a sum of money were stolen in one of the departments,.the Minister would consider it his duty- to. have a searching inquiry made, and the circumstances. of this are much worse, for if it be true, as stated, that fifty miners' rights were obtained from the' office before the time of issue, the honest miners were defrauded, which is a greater evil than if a sum of money were stolen from the Government. Miners have long memories, and this may be = thrown in the teeth of any person in the office years hence, and we have no doubt- that Ministers will be called upon to make explanations with reference to it in the House of Representatives. We do not expect that Major Keddell will be able to go much deeper into the matter than has already been done, with which the public , will not be satisfied if the Government are, although we can hardly see how they can avoid going further, if he reports that from want of power he was unable to get at the facts.