THE Thames Advertiser. THURSDAY, MAY 27, 1875.

Thames Advertiser, Volume VIII, Issue 2055, 27 May 1875, Page 2

THE Thames Advertiser. THURSDAY, MAY 27, 1875.

The inquiry into the irregular issue of miners' rights was resumed yesterday by Major Keddell under the dread sanction of a commission under the hand and seal of a Governor to set forth whose titles requires a foolscap page. Additional solemnity was lent to the occasion by the elaborate effort made by Mr Tyler in asking for an adjournment of the Court in order that Mr Mackay, for whom he appeared, might be present, that gentleman having left without giving him instructions how to act. We think the course which the Commissioner seems inclined to pursue is the right one, aud we have no disposition to criticise any part of the proceedings. "Wo think, however, that we must give a word of explanation in regard to the reference which Mr Tyler made to ourselves, We have not prejudged, the case. We have made no remark not plainly lying on the face of the evidence taken at Ohinemuri by Major Keddell. We« have shut our ears to public rumour. But there is one point plain, and not coming under the category of a deduction, and that is, that the miners' rights which were im-, properly issued, or improperly obtained, were part of a lot for which Mr Brissenden applied, and there is some evidence going to show that these were handed to Mr Mackay, with the rest for which lie had made application, for issue. Our statements have I amounted to no more than that. In his evidence Captain Eraser stated: " I have examined the schedule and applications for miners' rights, and find that the principal number of the miners' rights [those improperly obtained] were issued on Mr Brissenden's application through Mr Mackay.'' This seems to be corroborated by the whole of the evidence, and is not contradicted, so far as we can remember. The miners'rights were in tivo divisions, those under Captain Eraser's charge a'nd those under Mr Mackay's. Captain Eraser has shown that the rights . improperly obtained wer| not amongst his.' Mr Tyler makes a distinction between improperly issuing, and' improperly obtaining, which it is perhaps right to do at this stage of the case, but we think it is clear that on the part of some officer there was either gross negligence or gross misconduot. We hope that the forthcoming inquiry may lead to a full exposure of the whole affair, so that all suspicion of foul play may be' diverted from those who are innocent, and we certainly hope that Mr Mackay, holding as he does a: high position in the Government service,! will be able clearly to show that he lias'i not been to blame, and- that he will, to} use Mr Tyler's words,. f,s?t himself right with the public." 'We are quite sure we have done nothing |to set him ■ wrong or to prejudice him. The secret hisfcirfy of how those rights were' obtained is known now to a good many, and we have no doubt that the Commissioner will use the extensivei--'powers committed to him, rather than . confess- himself J beaten, and allow .this scandalous affair to remain hidden' in darkness for ever.

['(The figures which we printed yesterday with reference to Tairua took most people by surprise. The fact is, that the ground there cannot be manned,, if it were only from the • impossibility of taking supplies up to the miners, .-We know that there are other reasons for believing that under the most favourable circumstances as to roads, the ground taken up wonld not be occupied as the law'directs, but the good excuse ought not to be left that it is impossible to get up provisions. And we have not the slightest doubt that, with a passable road, a large proportion of the claims and licenses would be faithfully worked at an early date. But although the "show" at Tairua is unquestionably favourable, the field will be stifled simply because fundi cannot be obtained •to make a road. If the Superintendent is applied to, he wi'l say that he has no money, and cannot possibly obtain any, while the General Government will say that as the province gets goldfields revenue, it lies within its functions to provide accommodation for goldfields traffic. If the discovery had been made on land purchased by the Government, we might have pointed to the considerable sum already paid for license rents. But by a combination of mismanagement and illluclr, the Tairua goldfield is on the one block of all the surrounding country which the Government did not purchase, and therefore the natives sweep, off the greater part of the goldfields revenue. Were ever any community so unfortunately situated we are between Governments and natives 1 It would bo hard to tell which is the greatest nuisance. It was spoken of in town yesterday that there should be some combination amongst tho people of the Thames, especially those directly interested iii Tairua, for the purpose of subscribing a portion of the amount required for a road, and is though t that if some money were raised in this way, the Government could not, foi decency's sake, refuse to take the matter in hand. We are afraid the Government are lost to all sense of

shame, and if they cannot produce any other metal, have brass enough left to fay positively .that they cannot do what as a government they ought to do. It is estimated that the cost of a good road from Puriri to the new goldfield'would be about £1,500. It is a very difficult matter indeed to get any combination in such circumstances as we aro in, but we are afraid t-hafc unless some steps are taken by those interested, nothing will be done, und irreparable mischief will result.