THE WAIPORI RIVER QUESTION.

Tuapeka Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 4251, 22 June 1895, Page 3

THE WAIPORI RIVER QUESTION.

With the object of ascertaining something of the attitude of the Government and their intentions relative to the Waipori mining trouble in its latest development, we despatched the following telegram yesterday to the Hon. Mr Larnach :— Does proclamation in last week's "Gazette" amending goldfields boundaries give miners legal right to discharge tailings into the Waipori Eiver on and after Ist July ? The following is Mr Larnach's reply: — The Premier informs me that Government has been advised that the proclamation referred to by yon gives miners fall liberty to discharge tailings into the Waipori Eiver. The following telegrams on the same subject between Mr F. W. Knight, Waipon, and the Minister of Mines, though they disclose nothing new, afford some additional proof of the determination of the Government to maintain their old policy of masterly inactivity and allow the farmers to deal with the miners in the same manner as they did the dredgeowners. The Premier, it will be noted, with off-handedness, declares the right of the miners to continue to use the river as thsy have been doing. Statements of this kind are easily made and entail no respon sibility. It will be instructive to compare the Premier's statement with that of the Minister of Mines published below and dated 20th instant. The Premier substantially says, " Everything is right; ; go ahead." The Minister of Mines, on the other hand, says the matter is still being attended to, and refuses to commit the Government to anything. No reply has been received to Mr Knight's last telegram, which seeks, but we fear vainly, to extract from the Government some decided declaration. The following are the telegrams : — Waipori, 18/6/95. To Hon. Minister of Mines, Wellington : Have received written uotice from solicitors Berwick farmers stating that sluicing operations fouling river, and unless stopped immediately they will seek relief in Supreme Court. P. W. Knight. Wellington, 18/6/95. To F. W. Knight, Waipori : Be Waipori Hirer difficulty, the matter is being attended to. Government have no intention of allowing mining industry to be stopped. A. J. Cabman. "~"~"~" Waipori, 19/6/95. To Hon. Minister of Mines : Threatened with proceedings unless stop sluicing immediately. Pleased to be assured Government -will not allow mining industry to be stopped. Will Government allow individual miners' sluicing operations to be stopped? Must stop unless assured Government see them through. Cannot afford to defend Supreme Court action. Will Government take risk if summons issued ? May I publish your last telegram ? F. W. Knight. Wellington, 20/6/95. To F. W. Knisrht, Waipori : Tou can publish my first telegram .' Government cannot give the assurance desired ; but the matter is being attended to. A. J. Cadmait. Waipori, 21/6/95. To Hon. Minister of Mines, Wellington : Statement that Government will not allow mining industry to be stopped barren, if you allow individual miners to be stopped ; for they chiefly carry on the industry. Will Government allow them to be stopped? F. W» Kkwht.