Id the course of the proceedings at the Warden's Court this morning the, Warden read the following letter from Mr G. Mueller, Chief Surveyor :— "Re charges for mining surveys: On several occasions persons have stated to me that charges for bush cutting at 2* 6d per chain had been made by some of the surveyors carrying out mining surveys, when there was in reality no busli to cut. I did not get definite information of these cases and therefore could not take action, but I desire to draw your atten tion to these reports, as you may have opportunity when applications are heard to find out from the parties interested whether such bogus claims arc made in the surveyors' account*." Commenting on this, His Worship said it was impossible for him to find out any thing about the bogus claims of sur»eyors in the manner proposed. He was not. going to invite complaints by applicants, nor would be waste the time of the Court by asking applicants it they were satisfied with the surveyors' charges. Continuing, His Worship read: —

u 'Bash cutting' is rather an undefined expression. It of course comprises cattin? through forest?, but it may also include cutting of small manuka scrub and a bit of koromiko aod so on; and for the cutting of these stnatl bushes the surveyor h en titled to charge at he rate of 2s 6d per chain, under the scale given in schedule 41 of the regulation?. But there can be no excuse whatever io making these charges for gras;», tussock, or fern catting. May I be permitted to suggest that you should make surveyors understand that anyone found guilty of defrauding in this way would be struck off from your Mining Register of surveyors. I think an intima tion of that description would be whole some, as I firmly believe that in (he past there have been solid grounds for complaint about over-charges" Referring to the Chief Surveyor's sug gestion re striking the names of defrauding surveyors off the register,>roe Warden said he certainly would do so if any clear case came before him, as he also firmly be lieved there were solid grounds for com plaint. Hehoped the Press would take notice of the matter.
