BANNOCKBURN PETITIONS.

Cromwell Argus, Volume VI, Issue 286, 4 May 1875, Page 6

BANNOCKBURN PETITIONS.

Messrs M‘Gregor and Ray, of Bannockburn, on Saturday, the 24th nit., presented to the local member, Mr MacKellar, two petitions to be presented to the Provincial Council at its present sitting. That in favor of purchasing the Bannockburn bridge has 166 signatures of residents attached, in addition to which a large number have yet to come in from the Nevis. The prayer for commonage privileges carries with it the names of 130 petitioners, which number could have been largely increased had time allowed. Attached are copies of the petitions : Bannockburn Bridge, To His Honor the Superintendent and Provincial Council of Otago. The petition of the undersigned members of the Bannockburn and Garrick Range Miners’ Association, miners, and others, humbly sheweth: ' Your petitioners respectfully ask that the Bridge at the Bannockburn, known as the Kawarau Bridge, and built by private enterprise, should be purchased by the Government, and thrown open to the public free of toll charges, for the following reasons That the taxes levied upon us hy the Government are sufficiently heavy and burdensome, without the extra burden imposed of having to pay tax money to a private undertaking. The bridge across the Clutha at Cromwell, (built at a cost of something like £32,000,) has been free of charge to the public ever since its construction, and your petitioners can see no reason why they should not enjoy a similar immunity in respect of the Kawarau Bridge, situated as it is on the main line of road to the Bannockburn, Quartzville, Garrick Range, the Nevis, and other populous and important outlying districts. That the future of the district depends in a great measure, if not wholly, upon the facilities offered for the full development of its extensive mineral resources, it being evident that the cheapening of the cost of machinery, tools, timber, etc., for mining purposes, and of all articles of consumption, will as a natural consequence lessen the cost of our gold production, bo the moans of opening up ground that has hitherto lain fallow, increase the demand for labour, and by considerably swelling our escorts add to the prosperity of the Province generally. That in fact the progressiveness of the district is, in the opinion of your petitioners, considerably retarded by the tolls from which we seek an exemption, as they are not only a direct charge upon those crossing the bridge, hut indirectly affect every individual in the district through the extra expense incurred in the transmission of all articles necessaty for the efficient working of our mines.

We therefore hope you will be pleased to look upon our request with favorable consideration, and by removing this grievance from our midst, confer upon us those benefits and advantages which we earnestly supplicate, and to which we deem we are so fairly entitled. And, as in duty Ixmud, your petitioners[will ever pray, &c.

To Hia Honor the- Superintendent and Provincial Council of Otago. , The petition of the undersigned members of , the Bannockburn and Garrick Range Miners’ Association, miners, and other residents • of the Bannockburn district humbly sheweth: Your petitioners respectfully ask that a block of land on the south side of the Kawarau River —say ten thousand acres—with a river frontage extending from the Kawarau junction to a point opposite the Kawarau Gorge, be set apart as a commonage for the Bannockburn district, and to assign the following reasons -in support of their request iThat the Bannockburn is one of the largest gold-producing districts in the Province, with a large population, including some sixty families. That it is only by toleration of the runholder that pasturage is at all obtainable, so that by the grant of a commonage the condition of the inhabitants of this district would be considerably ameliorated, consequent upon the freedom from any restraining force and the greater accommodation and facilities afforded for the depasturing of all kinds of cattle. Meat would thereby become procurable at a cheaper rate, and dairy produce, which from its scarcity is now only to be obtained by the few, would by its augmentation be brought within the reach of the many.

That miners have ever been looked upon as an unsettled_ and migratory class of people, and your petitioners, whilst having this in view, most respectfully submit their opinion that every inducement and opportunity should be held out to the members of a shifting' population calculated to enhance their comfort, or tending to evoke a desire to establish themselves in permanent settlement.

Your petitioners therefore hope that you will be pleased to look upon their request with favorable conaiderafcion, and that you will as soon as possible concede to them those privileges which they so urgently stand in need of. And your petitioners, as in duty bound, will ever pray.