DUNSTAN MINERS’ ASSOCIATION.

Dunstan Times, Issue 582, 13 June 1873, Page 3

DUNSTAN MINERS’ ASSOCIATION.

(COMMUNICATED.) The quarterly meeting of the members of the above Association was held on Saturday evening last. The President of the Association occupied the chair. About twenty-five members were in attendance. The minutes of tbe last Committee meeting were read and received. The Chairman said thel'e were several matters to be brought before the meeting The first for consideration was the application of the Alexandra Steam Dredge Company for a special claim of two miles and a half of the Molyneux River. Mr. Sims said that, as the meeting had confirmed the minutes of tho last meeting, they might proceed to to put in an objection by the Association, Mr. Alexander said, though the minutes of the last Committee meeting had heed confirmed, and though he was opposed to the granting of the claim to the extent applied for, he had brought forward a resolution at the last meeting to the effect that capital should ho represented by ex. tended areas, which was not supported. He was still of the same opinion, and, though other dredge proprietors had not applied for any 'extended ground, they would have an equal chance of doing so if it was desired, and he trusted the Association would pause before passing ouy resolution which would have the effect of preventing capital being invested on tho Gold-fields. Any inducements in the shape of, largo claims aud special rights should be held out to capitalists, and he set his face against any action of the Association that would tend to the exclusion of capital from the Gold-fields. The Chairman believed that the applicants had no loens standi. They were not y'et a registered company, and the present application hears the apdcarance of being a piece of smart practice often resorted to in forming such companies, by which the promoteis seek to be rewarded by a considerable number of paid-up skares, and ke hoped the Association would decide against such a sy'stem. Tho granting of a monopoly to any company was objectionable, aud should he opposed by all who hp,ve an interest in the Gold-fields. Mr. Siedcberg said that he was one of the earliest dredgers, and the money he had expended at different times, in appliance for dredging purposes had been equal, ifnot more, than the proposed capital of this Company'. He had never sought any consideration as to extent of ground. He was now engaged with costly improvements on his own machine, which ho thought would ho successful. It was his intention personally' to oppose the application. Mr. Poole at considerable length said, he was opposed to any special claim being granted on tho river ; he was opposed to the system proposed by Mr. Alexander, and the Miners’ Association,would be upholding the rights of miners generally by doing so likewise. He cited some eases where large special river claims had been granted, which were monopolies, to the exclusion of the bona fide miner. Ho would propose tho following resolution : “That this Association objects to the special claim applied for by the Alexandra Steam Dredge Company being granted, and that a deputation be appointed to wait on tho Warden, aud explain that tho Association does not want to prevent capital being introduced, and give the reasons for objecting, and to suggest that no claim of greater extent than KIU9 feet be granted, subject to conditions, so as not to interfere with bank or other workings. Seconded by Mr, Sims. Mr. Alexander said that, though he could see the feeling of the meeting was against the sy'stem ho proposed, he would not shirk from exj rcssing his opinions, and would move as au amendment, “That the Miners Association object to tho special claim applied for by the Alexandra Steam Dredging Company, but they would recommend that a clause bo added to the Goldfields Regulations, that capital invested for gold mining purposes he entitled to hold extended ground on a general ratio. Seconded by Mr. Ry an. Tho amendment on being put to the meeting received no support, and the original motion was carried. Messrs. Hastic, R 0010 and Sims were appointed to support the objection at tho hearing of the case, aud a form of objection was diawn out and signed by the members present. Some consideroble d’seussion took place relative to the appointment of a Minister of Mines, and tke withdrawal of the delegated powers from the Superintendent—the subject took no definite shape, and it’s further consideration was postponed till another meeting. Lengthened conversations took plaoc on other subjects. A vote of thanks to tho Chair terminated the proceedings.