BANNOCKBURN & CARRICK RANGE MINERS' ASSOCIATION.

Cromwell Argus, Volume V, Issue 248, 11 August 1874, Page 6

BANNOCKBURN & CARRICK RANGE MINERS' ASSOCIATION.

The ordinary monthly meeting of the Committee of the above Association was held in the schoolhonse on August sth. There were present: Messrs Behrens, Stewart,.Smiddy, M'Cabe, G. Chilton, W. Griffiths, and the President (J. L. Moore) in the chair. The minutes of the previous meeting having been read and confirmed, the inward correspondence was read. A letter was received from Mr D. MacKellar, in answer to one from the Association asking him to hold a public meeting on the Bannock burn. It was proposed by Mr Smiddy, and seconded by Mr Stewart, "That Mr MacKellar's offer of holding a meeting, if wished to do so, be accepted, and that he be asked to do so at the earliest convenient opportunity after his return from Dunedin." Carried.

After considerable discussion on the question of leases on quartz reefs, it was unanimously resolved : " That seeing the very large expense attending the prospecting for and working quartz reefs, the leasing system should be rather encouraged than discouraged, as it is calculated to give employment to a greater number of men, and to be the means of opening up a larger extent of ground than under the ordinary claim system." Proposed by Mr Smiddy, seconded by Mr Griffiths, and carried : " That the Secretary for Land and Works be written to, pointing out the fact that between the Bannockburn and the top of the Carrick, on the way to the Nevis, two roads have to be kept in repair, whereas that by way of Carrickton is by far the better and easier, and would, if carried on toward the Nevis, benefit a large number of miners. This Association would therefore suggest that by applying the sum voted for the maintenance of the old Nevis road to that by way of Carrickton, a far better road could be made, and only one would afterwards have to be maintained, instead of two as at present." Mr W. Griffiths stated that he had collected the sum of £2 6s. 6d. for the Maerewhenua Defence Fund, and asked what should be done with the money. It was resolved that the money should remain in the hands of the Treasurer, until it is seen whether, it will be required for the purpose for which it was collected or not.

A vote of thanks to the chair concluded the proceedings.