DISTRICT MINERS’ ASSOCIATION.

Dunstan Times, Issue 502, 1 December 1871, Page 2

DISTRICT MINERS’ ASSOCIATION.

—o — A well-attondod public meeting was held at Hawthorno’s Clyde Hotel, on Saturday, the 25th ultimo, to consider the advisability of forming a Miners’ Association for the Dnnstan District, and to discuss plans for co-operation with similar Societies. The mining interest was well represented; but, probably owing to the time being inconvenient for the attendance of business men, few were present. Mr. Joseph Hastie was called to the chair, and briefly stated the objects of the meeting, as tending to promote the general welfare of the mining and commercial interests. Mr. T. Sims stated the advertisement convening the present meeting notified that the primary question : for consideration would bejtbat of water supply to the Goldfields ; hut it would he advisable to just give attention to the question of a Miners’ Association. It would he remembered that, when Mr. Commissioner 711 aught on visited the Dnnstan, there had, at his suggestion, been formed at Clyde and Alexandra,'local committees, to consider the scheme then proposed by the Government, and to act on behalf of the district. The .ouly action taken had been that of calling another meeting, held on the 31st ultimo, whereat it was decided that the existing committee should merge into an association for genera] purposes connected with the mining interests, it being considered that an association similar to those now existing at 'ha Arrow and other districts would have more influence for good, than a small committee, representing more local interests. As to the question of water supply, it must be evident to all having any practical knowledge of the matter tha’, under the existing uncertain tenure of rights, the one thing necessary was amended legislature, to clear the way and overcome present difficulties, before any scheme : could be safely suggested. And, as regards the supply of water to the Clyde district, he (Mr. Sims) ’ considered that the energies of the public should be first directed to the full develop- ' meat and utilization of the present available supply, before agitating for any greater works. It was the old question of Mahomet and the Mountain : if the water would not come to them, they needs must go to the water. He would instance the Pioneer Water-race, as running literally to waste, for want of a little public energy-. The : engineering difficulties would be slight in carrying it to the other side of the river, where good ground would be found, giving work for years. Then, as to the Fraser River, the ground worked by water from that source had been culled over and the best parts picked out, but the water never fully utilised. By a better system, the river might be made to yield three heads of water to every one now given, and plenty of payable ground, between the range and the opposite bank of the river might be taken up. Frow the Wai Keri Kerf Gorge to the township, acres of auriferous land awaited working, on which water might be brought, and from thence to the township. These and similar local works would give permanent employ to miners, and very probably produce double the yield now obtained from ground at present worked. Referring to tko objects of the Arrow Association, as i set forth in their printed rules and regala- I tions; Mr. Sims commented on them in ' seriatim, and suggested, with some slight amendments, they might be adopted by the Dnnstan Association : Rule I. “To see that a fair share of the public revenue is expended in the district.” This ho thought most essential. Mr. Donald Reed, when on his electioneering tour, had mentioned, with much evident complacency, as a proof of the progress of public works, that every road to a distance of eight miles round Dunedin was macadamised, forgetting possibly that this only proved how°much the Old Identity had taken care of themselves, and how little had been done for the outlying districts. Not a single main line to the interior had been properly formed or metalled. He (the speaker) had lived eight years in Clyde, and had not yet set eyes upon two inches of properly metalled road. They all knew how much they had to pay for necessaries brought by carriers, owing to the difficulties of the roads. Rule 11. “To impress upon the Government the immediate necessity of constructing roads and tracks to the outlying portions of the district, and of repairing old ones.” This ho thought just as necessary as the first rule. Rule 111, “ To endeavor to obtain the abolition of the gold duty.” Itavas a source of regret to every practical miner that this had not been accomplished during the late Session of Parliament. He saw that some Members of the House of Representatives had said the miners were perfectly satisfied with the existing rates. This was a statement both absurd and untrue. He had never heard of any miner, either in New Zealand or Victoria, who did not object to the gold duty. It was especially unjust in this province, where, owing principally to the high rates of living and heavy wear and tear of tools and machinery, a miner required to earn 41. per week to make a decent subsistence. It was also very doubtful whether miners obtained full value for their gold, and it would be wise of the Association to take steps to obtain reliable information as to the intrinsic.value of the gold of the district. Rule IV. “ To obtain a reduction of the fcos for registration.” The only fees absolutely necessary were small amounts, sufficient to cover the cost of registration ; any surplus revenue derived from high fees was a tax on the miner, and;' as such,- had a tendency to lessen population. Rule V. “To obtainthe repeal or amendment; of - any ■ regulations which may ' be, obnoxious or unjust towards any section of miners; ” He though t most of those present would admit- that many -of the rules and I regulations now in frarCß were obnoxious in ; the worst senseiof thxswonUif the Warden j

of any district held a biassed opinion against any minor or any work he had undertaken, the miner had little chance of justice or redress. On the question of water storing and the protection of those engaged in bringing in water supplies, the law required radical ameudmen t. Rule VI. “ To use every lawfnl means to prevent any further influx of Chinese into the colony.” A good many mistaken ideas were held as to the presence of the Chinese on the gold-fields. His own experience had been that, even after Chinese had worked ground in Victoria, it could be made to pay handsomely by the improved methods now in vogue among Europeans. But, granting that the same result would follow here, no good could accrue from their influx to this colony. They were mere plunderers, and not colonists. The inquiry made of the Victorian Govprnment as to the result of Chinese labor there would not yield the New Zealand Government any reliable information, inasmuch as there the granting of large leases of auriferous land to Europeans practically acted as a barrier to the Chinese taking up ground. By a little co-operation the European miners kept John Chinaman at a respectful distance. Here the Goldfields rules offered no such facilities. Rule VII. “ To secure the expenditure within the district of a fair share of the ‘Grant-in-aid for water supply.’” The principle of this rule was, of course, just, hut, as he had before stated, he would rather see an effort first made to utilise, by local energy, present supplies now running to waste than an entire dependence on Government aid. Rule VIII. “ To prevent speculators from monopolising large areas of ground, to the exclusion of bona-fide miners.” He thought this rule might at present be dispensed with, the excessive fees demanded by the Government for extended areas proving an effectual barrier to monopoly. Rule IX. “ To prevent agricultural leases being taken up on auriferous ground, and to have such leases cancelled where necessary.” In many instances agricultural leases had been granted for laud that should have been carefully reserved for mining purposes, although eminent legal opinions had boon expi ossed against such action. A case was just now p-nding in this district, and the miners were watching anxiously for the result. A new feature in practice was that objections must be lodged twenty-four hours before the hearing. This was to him (the speaker) a new regulation, and one that he had never before heard of. Rule X. “ Should the Warden give any decision which may appear injurious to the bulk of the miners, the Association may take up tke case, and carry it before the Supreme Court or other tribunal, in order to test the validity of the decision.” This he considered the most important part of the subject. The great bone of contention between the Wardens and miners had been the unsatisfactory decisions given in mining disputes. He attributed the diminished number of miners, and consequent depression in trade to the maladministration of the Gold-fields’ laws ; and cited instances wherein he had been personally cognisant of wrong decisions having been given, owing to the Wardens not having sufficient practical knowledge of mining details, to justly adjudicate therein. In fact abuses of discretionary power were so constantly cropping up that they required instant remedy. In conclusion he. expressed a sincere con-viction-that it would be for the'interests of both miners and business men throughout the Colony, to unite in the movement. They should remember (that the miners numbered some 30,000 men ; and united they could exert a powerful influence. Mr, Alexander, while agreeing with the general remarks of the last speaker, differed with him on the question of water supply. If the Government really intended to expend money in assisting the developments of the Goldfields, it would certainly follow, that every one would have to share the burden of taxation, whether they obtained any direct benefit from the public monies or not- Therefore, even in carrying out more local works, it would be well to obtain a fair share of any public monies devoted to gold-fields purposes. Theyshould atoncelook about and advisewheremoneycan bebestexpeuded, andthonuseall efforts to get he ! p Much importance had been attached to the repeal of Gold-field’s Acts, but this would be a matter of time and patience. The Arrow association had found that action already taken would only lead to very tardy results- Prompt action in local matters was the most needed. For instance it was all very well to talk about bringing in water from the Manuherikia, but that scheme alone would take all the money the Government were likely to have to spend on the Gold-fields, and occupy some years before it reached Clyde. Mr. Sims explained that he did not object to -a fair • share of' government assistance being sought, but that, if people interested m the welfare of the "district remained dilatory as at present j and did not shew by their pwn .actions. that- they were worthy of assistance, the Government monies would probably be expended where people were more energetic. Ho moved the following resolution.,— "That this meeting is of opinion that much good would accrue to the miners, and to the district generally by forming a permanent Mining Association, and that the Gold-fields^'Water Supply Committee., do now resign,, and the present meeting form itself into an association, to bo called tho Dnnstan Mining Association, to act in conjunction with other similar associations throughqnt,theprovince. . Mr. Diddle seconded the resolutions, and expressed an npinio'n'That suck action was sorely needed. ’Between Chinese and; cockatoos -.the. miner ■jvas being -fast driven out of the province. Every obstacle was now thrown in the way of prospecting .the couufry. The chief'object of tho society should bo to protect the miner, and see that no auriferous ground should bo taken up

on the pretence of farming. Farmers could find plenty of agricultural ground without interfering with tho gold-fields, and if a miner wanted his patch of garden ground, the rules already in force gave it to him on easy terms. Mr. Alexander suggested that it should be notified that the association would comprise miners at Alexandra and other centres throughout the district. Mr. Williamson suggested that a Roll shouldhe signedjby those present, expressing their willingness to become members ; and from such names, a provincial Committee might be elected. Mr. Sims put the question whether the association should comprise rrsidents ou the gold-fields, other than bona fide miners. On discussion it was resolved that both minors and business men should be enrolled, and a general opinion was expressed that the business men of tho district should take an earnest interest in the matter. It was suggested that miners should withhold their custom from those who stood aloof in the matter. It was thought, howevsr, that not a man in tho district would refuse a helping hand to (he movement. Tho rosoltion as put to the meeting was carried unanimously. Mr. George Facho expressed his views as to tho benefits likely to arise from the action of the association ; more especially in respect to tho obtaining of redress for grievances, now pressing hardly upon the general body of miners, hut which action, under present circumstances, now devolves on individuals rather than the community, however thankless or unpleasant such duty may be. Ho suggested that it would be necessaryj not only from a miner's point of view, but as a guarantee of good faith, that every member enrolling bis name should pay a small annual subscription. Mr. Sims thought it not only right but necessary that such should bo done. All members would have tho privilege of bringing any complaint hefoie tho Association, | who could then, after due deliberation, I suggest to the powers above them the proper remedy. This no one could do better than practical miners. “ None knows Low the shoe pinches like him who wears it.” A roll was signed by about twenty per- ; sons, and the following were elected to act I as Interim Committee: —Messrs. Alexander, ; Faohe, Sims, Hastie, and Williamson, j It was resolved, That the Committee now i appointed should obtain subscriptions and | enroll members throughout tho district, j aud, within one month from date, call a meeting for the election of a Permanent Committee. | The Interim Committee also arranged to meet on Monday night, at 8 o'clock, to | arrange a plan of action. A voto of thanks to the Chair terminated \ the proceedings.