PUBLIC MEETING.

Dunstan Times, Issue 745, 28 July 1876, Page 2

PUBLIC MEETING.

—o— public meeting was held in the Library Hall, Clyde, on Saturday evening last, to hoar from Mr J. Hastie an account of and the result of his journey to Dunedin, in the matter of the sale of auriferous lands in the Loaning Rock district. MrThos. Sims was voted to the chair. About forty persons were present. Mr Hastie said—That, as arranged, immediately on his arrival in Dunedin he saw Messrs Gillies, Street, and Hislop, land agents, and explained to them the nature of his business. Mr Street here told him that, on receipt of a telegram on the Monday morning previously, from Clyde, ho had waited on the AVaste Lands Board, asked for a re-hearing of their decision, and preferred the request that until a re-hearing to stay further proceedings. Mr Strode, the Chairman of the Board, who was present, said the decision of the Board to sell the land was given on the recommendation of the Provincial Executive. The report, however, of the District Land Board lie admitted, the Board had not read. Having the report in his hand at the time he commenced to read it, and seeing that the recommendation of the Executive was directly at variauco with the report, ho expressed himself as much annoyed at the decision of the Board, and said ho would grant a re-hearing and would stay further action in the matter. Just at this stage Mr Denniston, agent for the applicants, came into the office and tendered payment for the land, the which was refused, he being informed that the decision

of the Board was given under a misconception, and that tho whole question would bo again gone into at tho next sitting of tho Board on Wednesday. Mr Hastie then said the meeting will thus see tho first point, and that a most important ono waa gained by means of this telegram, as had it not been for it tho money would have bco paid, and thus tho question of compensation would have been as between freeholders instead of leaseholders as at present. Mr Hastie continuing said, this information ho obtained from Mr Street on tho Tuesday evening. On Wednesday, the sth July, Mr Hislop and himself attended tho Waste Lands Board, and applied for a re-hearing of tho case. After long argument and discussion, during which ho showed the Board the resolutions arrived at by the Provincial Government in 1872, the question was postponed for a week (to the 12th). After tho meeting, ho explained, he busied himself in obtaining all possible evidence in his favor. On the 11th, with Mr W. Fraser and Mr J. Hazlett, waited as a deputation on the Provincial Executive. On tho 12th, again attended the Waste Lands Board, when it was minuted that case was re-heard, and decision postponed for a month (till 9th August). With regard to tho interview with the Executive he, however, had to say that Mr D. Ivlackellar was the most against the decision being reversed. For tho very great assistance he had received from Mr J. Hazlett and Mr W. Fraser he considered they well merited the thanks of tho miners. He had left the matter in the hands of Messrs Gillies, Street, and Hislop. Mr Sims having reviewed Mr Hastie’s report, he deplored that such a state of things could exist as that the Government or tho Waste Lands Board could sell auriferous lands, and said there was but little doubt if the system once got a fair start, there would be no staying it till all the auriferous lands in the Province were disposed of. A vote of thanks to Messrs Fraser and and Hazlett having been passed with acclamation, and a vote of censure on Mr D. MacKellar, a suggestion was made that a memorial be presented to the Waste Lands Board, to be signed by all the miners and business people in the district, praying tho Board to reverse their decision. After some discussion this was agreed to, and a Committee appointed for the purpose. The meeting then dissolved.