ALEXANDRA.

Cromwell Argus, Volume 2, Issue 85, 27 June 1871, Page 5

ALEXANDRA.

f From our oten Gnrmpon lent.) PUBLIC JIBUTI Mi. A numerously-attended mootin'' was held in the lull of the Rival M ul Hotel, Alexandra, on the evening of the HUh hist. The Mayor (Mr W. Tiieyors) occupied the chair, and explained that the meeting had hoon called to consider the action taken by the Mining Commission, with the view of altering the proviso “That two heads of water shall, if required, be allowed to How down all Crock beds.” Mr A. C. Iverson said ho was glad to sec so large an assemblage of minors and others present. Ho moved, “That this meeting views with alarm the recommendation of the Alining Commission to abolish the present proviso for two sluice heads of water flowing down all creek hods for general use, and consider the repealing of the said right would ho ruinous to a very largo number of miners in this and other districts who have expended very large sums of money in connexion with the use of the crook water.” He argued that it would he unjust to deprive the creeks of the two sluice-heads now allowed by the Goldfields Act and by the Goldfields Rules and Regulations, and considered the creek workings the most important in Otago, and also considered the Delegates wore wrong in regarding it as an injustice to the race-owners —who knew when they obtained their grants of the reservations made by the Act and the Rules and Regulations, Mr J. Terry seconded the motion, which was carried. Mr McGnimics moved —“ That if the recommendation of the Alining Commission in reference to the two heads of crook water allowed for general use become law, the whole of the water of the country would eventually become private property, and would, in fact, give the whole of our auriferous crocks to a few individuals, and thereby retard the pro- * gross of Otago.” lie Was* surprised to hear

the recommendation of the delegates* There was no question that the gullies wore the principal workings in Otago,—the origin of the goldfiekls, and it would bo an injustice to deprive miners hi the gullies of those two heads of water. It was monstrous to allow the raceholders to divert the water from its' natural course, and then for them to tun) round and say to the creek-workers, "You must pay us for the water, or you will not get it." If that was to be the case, the great body of miners would have to seek other fields. Take, for instance, the rights out of Butcher's Greek (six heads), which, ever since they were granted, had only employed some six men on an average,—whereas the two heads that (lowed down the Creek had employed at least thirty men upon an average. Mr Wickes seconded the motion, fully concurring in the remarks of the last speaker. If the creek water was to become private property, the best thing miners could do was to " clear out." The motion was carried. Mr Webb moved, "That this meeting considers that the present law in regard to water rights gives equal justice to all, and the proposal made to alter them is uncalled for." He did not know why the delegates had interfered in the matter, but he supposed it was because they were in want of something better to do. Mr Dawson seconded the resolution, which was carried. Messrs A. C. Iverson, Wickes, Webb, and McGuinness, were elected a committee to draw up a memorial to the Government upon the subject, embodying the resolutions, —to be forwarded through the local member, Mr Shepherd.