COAL CREEK FLAT.

Tuapeka Times, Volume XIII, Issue 643, 23 June 1880, Page 3

COAL CREEK FLAT.

I have noticed acme sensible letters, written by Mr E. J. Vernon, on the administration of justice on the goldfields, in the Tuapeka Times ; and I agree with him in many things he has written, especially with regard to the reduction of the gold duty. But, while the gold duty is given back to the Counties, and the members of our legislature are County Chairmen and members of County Councils, I have very little hope of their doing what they consider sacrificing County revenue. The gold duty is a most unjust tax, and if the Government include mining claims and plant in the property tax, the miners will be further taxed. How can we amend our position ? The goldfields members— such as Mr Pyke — I conBider are the greatest enemies the miner has, so far as lessening the taxation is concerned. With regard to tjie mining laws in Qtago, they are very liberal,' so far as administering the law is concerned. If the Otago goldfields were like the V-ic-torian, and employed 80 many miners ■under different circumstances, with leads like Ballarat trending their way under basalt hundreds of feet deep, where a shaft costs thousands of pounds to sink, then special regulations would have to be made and Mining Boards instituted, but here in Otago I think a Mining Board unnecessary. The Wardens who actinihister thelaw are in jnost cases (our Warden decidedly is) patient, courteous, experienced gentlemen, who patently sit and sift evidenpe in a moss impartial way and generally give' satisfaction, but in most cases one side loses who feel aggrieved. What would be the case if a Mining B.oard adjudicated P, They would decide the case on its merits, anc( would thereby incur the 3is.p.:|eas.ure of the losing party. As goicl miner of- twenty-six year's experience, \ prefer the present system. The river has fallen, to its winter level, and Messrs Tamblyn, Bennetts, Manuel,

Martin and Sons, Moody and Uren, with Mitchell and party, are in full work. Chinamen are plentiful, cradling the river beaches. The Government ought to eraploy a Chinese constable to collect the miners' right money, and pay him a percentage on his collections. Our police cannot tell one Chinaman from another, and John never "saveys" anything- he don't want to know. The Rev. P. Wells has started a sol-fa singing class in Coal Creek Wesleyan Church on Friday evenings. It is well attended, and I have no doubt it will prove successful. The rev. gentleman is a good teacher of music. There seems ho he a poor prospect of the Teviot bridge being erected. I would BUggest that the Roxburgh Town Council and Mining Association take action in the matter, and petition the Government There are also some suggestions of Mr Vernon's worth consideration; June 21st.