PUBLIC MEETING AT ALEXANDRA.

Dunstan Times, Issue 1003, 8 July 1881, Page 2

PUBLIC MEETING AT ALEXANDRA.

(Comm un ioatkd.) An important meeting took place in the Library Hall, Alexandra, on Saturday evening last, and was largely attended by the business people aud also those connected with the mining interest. Mr J. Simmouds occupied the chair. The Chairman stated that the meeting was convened to take into consideration the wisest steps to retain the auriferous country which extends for miles around our district. You are aware, gentlemen, the most important industry wo can look forward to is mining on a large scale, and you are all aware that Alexandra for the last 19 years has proved itself, without exception, to be one of the richest in gold of any district in Otago. It is a well-known fact that from Alexandra, through the Manuherikia Valley, to Blacks, Drybread, and German Hill, extending either side of Manuherikia Valley for ten miles, has proved to be of a payable nature ; and there is one thing certain, the time is not far distant when people will have to work for a lower rate of wages than they are doing at the present time ; and we must not forget that locality called the Serpentine diggings, which is more or less an iferous for miles around, And then taking the south of the Molyneux on the Fraser run—we have got the Old Man Range which wo must not lose sight of. It is a well tested fact that the Range is full of reefs, many of which have proved themselves payable, but cannot be worked for want of timber, and no doubt will eventually give employment for hundreds of miners.

The Chairman thou called upon Mr Allan to address the meeting. Mr Allan stated to the meeting that he hid prospected for a number of miles on the east side of the Mauuherikia lliver, on the Moutere Run, and felt quite satisfied that a good portion of the said run would eventually prove remunerative for mining purposes, and he would strongly advocate that no pastoral lauds should be sold, but cut up into small areas and leased under the same conditions ns heretofore, and considered if not carried out under these conditions it would ho a serious loss to the public in general-quoting the gold nod land revenue of Vincent County last year, which show a large margin on the gold aide. Mr G. Cameron concurred with Mr Allan's remarks in reference to the Moutere Run, and said he would give strong substantial proof as to the auriferous nature of the east side of the Mauuherikia Valley, for £0 miles up and down. He considered theresoyears work fora good number of miners on the ground he had prospected within the last few months. Messrs Brown, MMJonald, and others agreed with the remarks made by the previous speakers.

Mr J. Rivers said he was of the same opinion as the former speakers in reference to the gold-hearing nature of the country, and also as to the disposal of the lauds, and agitated the same in the Laud League only a few days ago. He might state that the Alexandra Land League was unanimous on the subject, but at a delegate meeting of

the Land League our member (Mr J. M'Ginnis) was over ruled, and the olauae was withdrawn. After a lengthy address, Mr Rivera moved—“ That the Government bo memorialised to the effect that when the Earnscleugh, Moutere, and Galloway runs are dealt with, none shall be sold other than agricultural—the pastoral country to be released in suitable areas, with right of entry to minors as heretofore.”

The motion was seconded by Mr G. N. M‘Donald.

MrJ. Drummy moved as an amendment —-“ That the Government be memorialised that when the lands are sold all minerals shall be reserved by the Government, with a right of entry to work said minerals on paying compensation, not to exceed L2 per acre—right of entry to be given only when there are no crops on the ground," Seconded by Mr T. Brown The Chairman put the amendment, which was only answered by throe. The motion was then put and carried unanimously.

A vote of thanks to the chair closed the proceedings.

The following is a copy of a memorial now going round for signature, and to consider which the meeting was held at Alexandra last Saturday

To the Minister op Lands— The memorial of the undersigned resi dents in Alexandra and surrounding district humbly sheweth— That your memorialists view with alarm the action of the Central Otago Land League in recommending that when the leases of the various runs within goldfields fall in, they be subdivided, and portions sold on deferred payments, and would respectfully protest against any pastoral country on Runs No. 249, 221, and 220 in this vicinity being alienated from the Crown, on the following grounds—1. That the whole area of the afore-men-tioned runs are more or less auriferous. No. 249 ( Earnscleugh) contains the highly auriferous Old Man Range, on which are loeated the Fraser River, Conroy’s, Butchers’ and Biackman’s Gullies, besides numerous other gold-beoring gullies and terraces ; also quartz reefs. No. 221 (Moutere) contains two extensive auriferous belts, both of which are being profitably worked ; and is intersected by several water-races, constructed at great expense, and which would be rendered valueless in the event of the land being sold. No. 220 (Galloway) is being profitably worked for gold in several localities, the whole of the gullies and terraces on the east bank of the Manuherikia River being auriferous for a distance of 20 miles. 2 That this township and surrounding district is now being and have, for the past 19 years, been almost wholly supported by the gold-mining industry, which in our opinion is capable of almost unlimited ex tension, and could not be replaced by any other form of settlement. The importance of the gold-mining industry may be illustrated by the fvet that in the Vincent County Treasurer’s estimate of conn y revenue for the present year (baaed on former returns), we find the gold duty and goldfields revenue to exceed the revenue from all rateable property by nearly L 1,200. j This, wo venture to think, shows a balance | in favor of gold-mining that speaks for itself.

3. That the mode of mining generally employed in this district—viz., groundsluicing—necessitates the fouling of rivers and streams, and sometimes the depositing of tailings and debris on land at a lower level than the ground operated on ; and that unless the system of leasing is continued, the litigation that would ensue between the owners of freeholds and the miners would smother the mining interest, it having been found practically impossible at Marewhenua and elsewhere to ground-sluice with profit in the vicinity of freehold land. We therefore respectfully pray that, when the aforementioned runs are finally dealt with, no land shall lie sold other than such non auriferous laud ns maybe required for agriculture, that the pastoral country be re-leased in suitable areas, that holders of miner's rights shall have free entry to carry on mining operations as heretofore And your memorialists will every pray.