BANNOCKBURN & CARRICK RANGE MINERS' ASSOCIATION.

Cromwell Argus, Volume V, Issue 211, 25 November 1873, Page 6

BANNOCKBURN & CARRICK RANGE MINERS' ASSOCIATION.

In accordance with advertisement, a meeting of the above was held in the Bannockburn Schoolhouse on Wednesday evening, the 19th instant. The object of the meeting was to determine what steps should be taken towards opposing the two applications made for mining leases over alluvial ground in the district; and as the matter was one of great importance, it was considered desirable that the proceedings should be noted. With this view, Mr Owen O'Neill was appointed Secretary. Mr Joseph Berry was unanimously elected chairman. It was proposed by Mr Koch, seconded by Mr Mann, " That the President of the Association be asked to give an explanation of his conduct in the matter of opposing the Premier Company's proposed lease."—Carried. Mr Crombie said he thought the grounds on which he objected would have been insufficient to overcome that company's application, and explained the unexpected risk he was put to in having to deposit £5 out of his own pocket on behalf of the Association. However, through some informality, the Warden did not consider the application, and he got his £5 returned. He further stated that he was now a partner in an application for a lease himself, and this would prevent him appearing, on behalf of the Association, to object to the application of the Premier Mining Company.—The explanation was received with unanimous disapprobation. It was then proposed by Mr O'Neill, seconded by Mr Bruce, and carried, "That this Association object to the grant of leases to the Premier Mining Co. and also to Hazlett and Co." Mr Mann proposed, and Mr Moore seconded, "That in consequence of the action taken by Mr Crombie in the matter of the lease applications, this Association has no confidence in him as its President, and that he be asked to resign the office."—Carried. It was then proposed by Mr Bruce, "That Messrs O'Neill, Mann, Moore, Koch, and the mover be a Committee to object to the lease applications." This was seconded by Mr Koch. On the amendment of Mr James Crombie, however, it was resolved to prosecute the objections by means of the Com .nittee of the Association. After a vote of thanks to the Chairman, the meeting closed, and the Committee then met. It was resolved that the Committee guarantee payment of any expenses that may be incurred in procuring the signatures of objectors to the leases. It was also resolved that Mr O'Neill be invited to canvass the district to obtain signatures of objectors, and that the Secretary of the Cromwell Association be asked to appear on their behalf upon the hearing of the applications.