DUNSTAN MINERS’ ASSOCIATION.

Dunstan Times, Issue 568, 7 March 1873, Page 2

DUNSTAN MINERS’ ASSOCIATION.

A general meeting of the members was held at Hawthorne’s Clyde Hotel on Thursday evening las'-, the 27th ultimo. Mr. Hastie, Piesident of the Association, in the . chair. 1 The Chairman said, the meeting was ! calle l for the purpose of submitting the report of the retiring committee, whose term of office had expired, and to elect their successors—he would call on Mr. Alexander' to read the report. Mr. Alexander said before reading the report, he desired to make a few remaiks This being the first opportunity that had presente 1 itself of his meeting ro many members of the Ass coition since his return from the Conference of delegates which ho had the honor of attending as their rep'csen’ative, nr sincohisreturn from Dunedin as one of a deputation appointed to waL on the Provincial Covernment relative to the late purchase of land by Mr. .1. D. Feraud in the Wai Keri Keri Vall»y, he submitted it but right to give such explana’ion as might he reque-ted, therefore, if any present, would ask any questions, he would he happy to reply. He thought the printed report of the hitsuiess of the Confe cnee was explicit enough, and regardin ; the deputation to Dunedin, he had already pretty fully explained himself through the press. The-e being no questions put, he then rea 1 the report as follows. To the members of the Dunstan District Miners’ Association —The Committee has much pleasure in pre en'ing you with the renort of their proceedings f,.r the past twelve months. The .association was brought into existen -o by a few ra"inhers, who were appointed a Committee to watch the WaterSnpply question, and it was dutin / their deliher"Dons, tiny, crnclrdtd the inferes'sotthe minors coi l I he better v a cited by Association stmihrly forme I to the Arrow Association, and working in conjunction with that, and similar bodies, a id it was on the 13th of January, 1572, your Association was formed, audits duties commenced. The attention of your Committee was fust called to the aurife ous nature of the Wai Keri Keri Block, and they took steps, while the Provincial Council was in session to have the entire area withdrawn from the operations of tits Agricultural Lc ising Regulations, and that none of the land leased should he sold—this was done by Petition, with evidence attached, which was taken by . your Committee. The Conimitee congAtuIrte themselves on taking thisstep ;as f, on what has since transpired, there can be hut little doubt, nearly every agricultural holding would have become freeholds, several sections however were clandestinely purchased by Mr. Feraud. The t,ext matter that claimed the at tontioa of your Committee, was the applicolion of Elliott and Tickle, for a gold j mining lease, which had been refused. The matter was brought under the consideration , of the Government, who, however, refused ! a rehearing. Your Committee convened several public meetings, viz.One to oppose the Gold Mining Bill, which, you will remember, was thrown out at the last sitting of the General Assembly, and one to take evidence on the Wai Keri Keri Valley. Your Committee also assisted other Committees ft r the arrangement of the meeting of Dele gates. Your Committee regret to say a difference of opinion existed between them and Mr. I’yke, the late Warden, relative to the granting of agricultural leases in tho Wai Km Keri Block. We are greatly indebted however, to Mr. Warden Carew for bis e ' aboratc report on the subject, and wc cannot hut express our wonder that with such a report before them, the Goxerrmvnt could have sold the laud already refen cd to. Your Committee had intended, on tho departure of Mr. Carew from the district, presenting him with an address, but unforeseen circumstances prevented it, the same excuse may he made for not waiting on Mr. Simpson when he took charge of the district, this latter is especially to bo regre’ted, as advantage was taka of his ignorance of the district, which might possibly have been avoided. We would desire to thank him for the part he took when visiting the Wai Kort Keri Va'ley, in company with his Hon «r flic Superintendent and Mr. Bastings, and we feel sure the mineis interests will not fail at his hands. When Mr. T. L. Shepherd, the Member for the District was in Clyde last year, he enrolled himself as a member of the Association. We do ire to express our thanks to him for the attention he has paid to all matters entrusted to his care, an I for the valrable papers received from him. We would ikewise express our thanks to tho Dunstan Times, the press generally, and to the public for the support accorded us. Thu C iramittee would draw the attention of their successors to a resolution of the Mining Conference respecting tho appo'utmint of a Minister of Mines. That the Secretary of the Otago Miners’ Association is to bo paid in accordance with the number of members on the roll. To get the whole of the Dunstan district united, if possible, as it would give more strength ia-local matters. To watch the result of Judge Chapman's decision on tho rc-hearing of Feraud’s application, and would recommend, if not favorable, to 1 >t it g it before tho General Government. Wo would here police a remark made by the Chief Cotmhissipncr in a lato rase, “That the Board Could always reverse its decisions.” To endeavor to get copies of the cow Gold-mining Bill as #qou as possible, and generally to watch over ths interests of the miners. The heavy expeusts that had to he incurred during tho year, leaves the finances of the Association in an unfavorah o con. ditiou. A statement is app.nded, and we j would saggei; eaus tUu disticu-iiy shoal-, be

made up ns far as possible by subscriptions over the enrolling fe« of two shillings and sixpence It was proposed and seconded, That the report be adopted. Carried unanimously. STATEMENT OE ACCOUNT. Dr, To 62 Members’Fe-s, Clyde ... £7 15 0 75 do. do. Drvbread, Tinker’s and B’ack’s ... 9 7 6 Cash, Alexandra Association ... ... 4 0 0 £2l 2 6 Cr. By Printing, Advertising, Telegrams, Stationery, and Drafting Petitions ... £6 9 6 By Delegate on account of expense a‘ tending Conference at Lawrence ... 14 13 0 121 2 6 LIABILITIES. Balance due to Delegate ... £8 15 0 Advertising ... ... 2 16 0 Stationery ... ... 16 6 £l2 7 6 Discussion ensued relative to the number of Committee. It was eventually reso’vcd, That clause 4 of the rules of the Association be rescinded.—That the Ccmmitte • consist of seven membeis, including Resident Secretary and Treasurer. That 6ve form a quotum. That gineral mee’in sof the Associations be hel I quartet ly. fand that any member absenting himself fnm the meeting, be fined 10 sitillings. The election of a new Committee was proceeded with, and the following gentlemen were elected :—Mr. J. Hastie, (Presilent.) Mr, J. Alotaaltr (Secretary,) Mr. Warburton Deveraux (Treasurer,) and Messrs Sims, Lindsay and M‘Lennart, a id Elliot. The question was asked as to whether the Delegates to Dunedin, relating the Wai Keri Keri Valley purchase bad been paid their full exp mces. The chairman said the public had appo nted tlio Delegation, and consequently must settle. He bsievel thete was a deliciency, tin full amount collected was on'yahout 201 just sufficient to , pay the expenses of one delegate. After some discussion, it being generally understood, that the Town ben fitted equally with any other interest. It was resolved That Messrs. Haz'ett, Hastie, and Holt wait on the Town Council, and ask them to vote the deficiency. Resolved, That Clause XL, of the rules of the Association he rescinded, and, that the Secretary, on a requisition signed by live members of the Association convi ne a special meeting. A subset ip' ion list was opened in the, room, to make up th- deficiency, and 31. ss. collected, besiiies fifteen members fees. Mr. Little moved a vote of thanks to the Secretary be recorded for his services to the Association, ami as their delegate at the Confeteucc, and Messrs. M’Pbersmi and Alexander for their set vices on the Deputation to Lunedin. Seconded by Mr. M’C'onnochie and carried, The Secretary said he was gratified that his set vices had been so well received, hut at this late hour he would not enter on the subject, he merely wished to say he had always eu dcavoreq to to do his best, hut more was due to Mr. M'Phcrson for the success of the deputation than to himself, and he was sorry be was not present to receive the thanks. r —a