DUNSTAN MINING ASSOCIATION.

Dunstan Times, Issue 509, 19 January 1872, Page 2

DUNSTAN MINING ASSOCIATION.

A public meeting, convened by the premiers of the above Association, to elect a ■ rmauent committee, and transact other icessary business, was held at the Clyde fetid on Saturday evening last. Mr. J. Has tie was called to the Chair, oil opened proceedings by recommending hose in e-ent to elect as a committee, men vho would work well and ea nestly, to further the general objects of the Associate). The movement he said was ste dily pro resting throughout the gold-fields, and would no doubt, under wise management, eventuaTy expand into what they were all most, anxious for, namely, the establishment of Mining Boards. He had befor> Lira a list of fifty natm-s of subscribers, and fel* confident the number would be doubled b fore tbe next meeting. Mr. Sims s oke in favor of the Association c mprising riot only miners, but every one whose interests weie centred in the dt • velopine tof the gold-fields. As an example of the need constantly arising for more hearty co-' peration, to induce better legis latioo for the gold-fields, and a more impar. tial adiuinistration of the law, he instance" the opposition a few individuals had been comp H dto make to the granting of an agricultural lease in this district of auri - erous lan Is. and mentioned that at Spear Grass Flat, and other localities, treat dissitisfactiou was expressed on similar topics, lie moved as a resolution That t!v. thanks of this meeting be accorded to Mr. Haiti.-, for the promptitude and energy displayed by him in opposing the grant of an agricultural lease for auriferous ground to Mr Hanhin, by Mr. Warden Pyke. Mr. Little also spoke in favor of this resolution. Seconded by Mr. Williamson and carried. Mr. Sims then read a letter from the S« i zer,s Association, accompanying a copy of tubs adopted by that body, and congratulating the Dunstan Association on its present progress. He concluded by recommending his fell iw miners to unite, and a nong other efforts, to bring their influence to bear upon the “ Press ” to more warm'y advocate th"ir cause. It was then proposed, seconded, and carried “ That a committee of seven niemb ;rs be ballotted for, with power to add to .heir number. Mr. Hastie, referring to his action re Hanlon, road a telegram from Mr. Shephard, the Member for the Dun-tan, who ha I taken prompt action to delay the issuing of the lease.. The matter he said was still under the consideration of the Snpe •intendent, and in the meantime, steps might b taken to get up a strong mentor al agamst auriferous land being lea-cd far agricultural purposes, not only in this particular district, but elsewhere. It was . thor nipou proposed, seconded, and carried, “ That a vote of thanks bo accorded to Mr. T. L Shepherd for the prompt action he had taken on behalf of his mining constituents, an 1 tlie Dunstan Association. Mr. Alexander speak ng as to the decti n of the perman nt commit cc, expre=fcd his opini 11 that as the claims throughout the district were so scattered, it would bo wise t > increase the number of mend ers, so thai the Association might have .1 representative in each mining community. At pr suit, minors as a rule, throughout the district, have not expressed much faith in the movement, simply became they were too scattered to attend the meetings, and hence hardly understood how much had bee : already accomplished. A good committee could do much individually to place the Association on a proper footing, if each man worked well among his neighbors, to prove the earnestness and vitality •>{ the movement. He had no doubt the Associations throughout the gold-fiehls would ultimately develop into Minin Boards, endowed with wide and beneficial powers of action. Mr. Barlow, referring to the nil s of the Arrow and Switzer’s Assoc'alioiis, spd.e against the restrictions made therein, tha u" o I.ut miners should > e members, at 1 addut e 1 facts shewing that the i lea wa o.ost erroneous. In Victoria, the cs'a hiishmcnt of Mining Boards, the s'rcn P) and main-tayof the digger’s prosperity, was first brought about by mass meetings, formed, not exclusively of miueis, but o business folk, and men of all classes, win had cast in their lot on the gold-fields, am ■. 00 1 to rise or fall by their connection with the mining interest. On all the o;ag gold-fields, it would be fonn I that 1 1. great majority of bu-iness mat had l eu, originally well known among the ranks of mi ers, ami could now bring to b nr, with good results, their past experience a 5 mines, and their present influence and I abilities as bnsi n-ss men, and tints work more effectually for the can e, than scattered bodies of miners, whose daily occupations would prevent them attending ■romptly to the business of the Association. whenever emergencies might ari e. Mr. Sims thought, that members of the Committee should be either working miners, or norsons who had shares and representatives in mining claims. Mr. Little thought anyone who was wilPng to work, might bo considered eligible, except Chinese and Cockatoos Ultimately the following committee was elected, —Messrs. Little, Sims, Brindley, M'Lcod, Plunkett, Watson, Anderson, Ha-tie, Williamson, and Alexander, with power to add to their number. Office bearers—chairman, Mr. Hastie; Treasurer, Mr. Grindley; Secretary, Mr. Alexander. It was decided that tho Committee should me. t to adopt rules, and transact farther hu-incss on Wednesday, tho iSih, at 8, p.m. i A veto of thanks to tbe Chair terminated I the iwceodiugßi