PUBLIC MEETING AT ALEXANDRA.

Cromwell Argus, Volume III, Issue 148, 10 September 1872, Page 5

PUBLIC MEETING AT ALEXANDRA.

(From our own CorrerpomJent.) September 7. IS7'2. A public meeting was held in the Library to-night, to take into consideration the provisions of the Gold Mining Bill introduced in the Assembly by the Colonial Government. About a hundred miners were present. Very few of our business man attended. The .Mayor, Mr W. Beresford, was called to the chair. After stating that he had been requested by a number of miners to convene the meeting, he introduced Mr J. 0. Chappie, who characterised the bill as a monstrous piece of in justice to the mining community, more particularly the clauses referring to the appointment of in-

spectors,—or more correctly speaking, spies, —and also those providing for increased tixI at ion of the mining industry. The speaker j then wont through the bill, reading the objectionable clauses, and pointing out their j most obnoxious features and most glaring deI fects. He concluded by moving toe follow | ing resolution : —“ That this meeting views with alarm the possibility of the Gold Minting Bill—now before the Legislature—be- [ coming law ; expresses the opinion that the appointment of Inspectors, and the proposed j extra taxation of th 3 mining industry, would lend to drive every miner out of the Colony ;

and j>l» dges its'-lf to nse every legitimate means to prevent the hill passing into law.” The motion was seconded by Mr Forrest, who spoke well and to the point. Mr Syms, in a somewhat boisterous speech, supported the resolution, which was alterwards put and carried unanimously. The next resolution was moved by Mr Simmoilds, and was to the effect that a Miners’ Association be formed, to be called the Alexandra Miners’ Association; said Association to take in hand to carry out the first resolution, and also to watch over all matters pertaining to the mining interest of the district. The motion was seconded by Mr Syms, and was carried ncin. con,. A committee was then appointed to manage the affairs of the Association ; and the meeting terminated with a vote of thanks to the Chairman.