That Ten Pounds.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume II, Issue 290, 25 April 1889, Page 3

That Ten Pounds.

The local bodies still refuse to listen to Mr John Thompson’s claim for a reward for the discovery of stone—at any rate they refuse to disgorge, which amounts to the same thing so far as Mr Thompson is concerned. Subjoined is a copy of the letter read at the last meeting of the Borough Council (To the Chairman and members of the Giaborne Borough Council.) Sib,—l received your letter dated April 4th. I still retain and maintain my claim against your Council, Prior to December, 1384, I saw an advertisement in the local papers, in which the Borough Council offered a bonus of £lO for discovery of road metal in the district of Poverty Bay. I received an order, in December 188—, from Mr Barnard, general surveyor, to proceed to Block 91, Patutahi, to prospect for oil for the General Government. When Mr Barnard came out to Patutahi, I showed him the stone in Block 91. I reoeived orders that the country was too dry, and had to return to town, I got a barrow load of stone from the same block, and sent it into town, dividing it between the General Government, County Council, and Borough Council, and paid money out of my own pooket to have it brought in, I also saw an advertisement from the County Council offering a bonus of £5O for the discovery of a quarry between Waimata and Ormond quarry. On Ist of January, 1885, I went out towards Ormond quarry, and discovered the main reef. I also discovered stone in Gray's bill north, north of hie homestead; and also in Gray’s Creek, Gray’s hill south. The main reef ran into Barker's hill north, and ran out of Barker’s hill south, I also discovered the main reef near the Waimata, the two quarries north of Gisborne, and all the shingle hills south of Barker’s bill, as well as the single hills and stone on Haiti and at Tuahine Island. I also received an order from the County Council to show the Engineer the different localities. I also received an order on July 25th, 188$, to show the quarrymen the different localities where I had found stone. I did so; I showed them the places above mentioned, and also had them mapped out by the Harbor Board Engineer, Mr J. Thomson. I will now lay before you the dates on which stone or metal was taken from certain places for the use of the Borough, the •tone haying been discovered by me

Stone taken cut of Barker's bill, out of the main reef behind Barker’s homestead February, April, and July, 1888.

Borough and County Council, conjointly, took stone out of same quarry in January, 1888 Borough Council took shingle from the shingle hills at North Gisborne, in April, 1888. Borough Council took stone and shingle from Kaiti in September, 1888, and February, 188 ft,

Sir, as I have saved the Borough and County Ooqncils and Harbor Board thousands of pounds, and with my hard labor, I hope that you and yoqr Council will re-consider my claim for your small honua of £IQ.

P.S.—Chairman and gentlemen, through rendering these services, I have sustained a very heavy loss, and I hope you will at once settle this claim of mine.

I remain, Sir, Your obedient servant, John Thompson.