PUBLIC MEETING AT ALEXANDRA.

Dunstan Times, Issue 450, 2 December 1870, Page 2

PUBLIC MEETING AT ALEXANDRA.

Report Op Retrenchment Committee. A Public Meeting was field on Monday evening last, in tfie Public Library, Alexandra, to take into consideration tfie report of the Retrenchment Committee, as laid before thcSProvincial Coun.il, The chair was occupied fiy tfie Mayor (W. Tfieyers, Esq.) who, having explained the object of the meeting, went on to say: Gentlemen,—We fiavemet under somewhat peculiar circumstances, to defend our rights and homes. A report has beui received from the Retrenchment Committee, containing recommendations which, if carried out, won d have the effect of wiping Alexandra from off the goldfields, so far as gol Ifields officials wer concerned. The recommendation that we have t deal with ia to the effect that Clyde is to be enriched at our expense, by the location of all goldfields officers at that place. Now the"fact was undeniable that the mining population s located around Alexandra, whereas there are none at Clyde. Wh re the miners were there also should be the officials, and not miles a way, as was contemplated. The Chairman then read extracts from the report, and pointed ont that even the Committee itself was doubtful whether its recommendations regarding the Clyde district could be carried out ; but, at the same time advised that the recommendations be given effbet to.

Propose! b y Mr. E. Finlay, seconded by Mr. Beresford, and carried, That tliis meeting views with alarm the proposed removal of the Gold Receiver from Alexandra as recommended by the Commissioners in their report on retrenchment, as being most injurious to the interests of the Alexandra district.

Mr. Finlay, in support of the resolution, said he thought a greater infliction could not befal Alexandra than the removal of the Gold Receiver. From the amount of revenue derived, and the large number of miners located in the immediate district, it was justly entitled to a permanent Gold-fields Officer. If the whole staff of officers were stationed at Cly e, Alexandra would bo favored with a visit only once a fortnight, whereby the miners would be put to great inconvenience and the district to immense loss.

Mr. Beresford said he quite endorsed the remarks of Mr. Finlay, and thought it strange that, whenever retrencemeut wa contemplated, Alexandra was sure to he selected as one to suffer. This was now the third time Alexandra had to raise its voice in sdf-protection. On the tw . for ner occasions success ha I attended their efforts, and he felt sure they shout 1 be successful this times as their cause is hist. The motion was put and carried.

Proposed by Mr. Jack, seoondc 1 by Mr. Calder, and carried, That a memorial bo drawn up, embodying the foregoing resolu. tiou and that it be forwarded to Mr. J.C. Brown, for presentation to the Pro.-in.dal Council.

Mr, Jack said he was quite sure, from the small amount that would bo save! by carrying .out the recoraemiation of the report, the Government should think twice before giving effect to it. He compared the revenue derived with that from other districts, and concluded his remarks by saying that. Alexandra was justly entitled to an officer in charge being stationed there. Mr. Calder, as seconder of the resolution, said he must agree with what had fallen from the previous speakers. A great deal | more to the point might be said ; but as the I real object of the meeting was to memorial, j iae against Alexandra being treated so un | justly, and not to make long speeches, ho ! would conclude by saying he shout, be sorry to see Alexan ra deprived of the services of a resident officer, j A vote of thanks to the chair concluded the meeting.