MESSRS. COMISKEY AND BAIN AT RUTHERGLEN.

Grey River Argus, Volume V, Issue 320, 1 February 1868, Page 2

MESSRS. COMISKEY AND BAIN AT RUTHERGLEN.

(from our own correspondent.) The adjourned meeting of miners and business people took place on Wednesday evening at Boyle's Store; Mr Hamilton in the chair. He said they would remember that at the last meeting it Avas the wish that Mr Comisky should attend, and giA r e them an explanation of his opinions. Mr Comisky, avliq Avas loudly cheered by the miners, said that he felt highly flattered by their kind invitation, in reply to which he Avas present there that night. He Avas sorry, however, to have to inform them that they were completely disfranchised, so far as voting for the members for the gold-fields Avas concerned, as it had been decided by the registration office that the holders of miners' rights or business licenses issued at Hokitika or Greyniouth could only vote for the respective towns. It behoved the miners to be very particular as to the person to whom they give their votes. If he were returned he should study the welfare of Westland generally, and he was Avell known to a great number. His opinion was that the country should be well looked after, and the toAvns would look after themselves. Without the. miner.3 the country woUd soon collapse, As to the Road Boards they must ha very cautions in choosing their members, for any money to be expended Avould be spent by them. They Avould have the power of levying rates both in. town and country, and they ought to have thoroughly trustworthy men on the Board— .men Avho. would act inde-

pendently and impartially. He would be obliged if any person who had taken rights in other districts would state so aa he fully believed that the whole district would be disfranchised for the goldfields' election (only two hands were held up.) That fully convinced him that the miners of the important district of Saltwater would have no influence or voice in hip election. Miners rights ought to be issued at every police" camp, and he was very much surprised that it was not done in this district. (A voice : " Our late member ought to have seen to it." He rrould impress upon the meeting the duty and necessity of every man recording his vote for the right man, and he hoped every man would do so. This was the most important election that he had seen for the last twelve years, as it so closely affected the interests of the miners. His opinion as regarding tramways was that, every encouragement ought to be given to private individuals to constioict tramways, as likewise water-races. They ought to keep the members they elected advised of the wants ©f the district. He thought there ought to be a travelling warden, a.s it would avoid much inconvenience, and give general satisfaction, and he thought that if they had exerted themselves they might have had one before now. He was going to the Wainiea to-morrow, and l\e hoped that if any of them had friends there they would use their influence on his behalf. (Cheers.) Mr Hamilton hoped they would be cautious and consider who was the most suitable candidate. Mr Whall remarked that Mr Comisky had certainly satisfied the miners that he was well qualified to represent them. As to the unfortunate position they were placed in as regards the disfranchi^emen* of the district, he had no doubt it would be rectified as soon as the Council met. He had represented them for the last two sessions in the Provincial Council, but had not yet made up his. mind whether to - come forward for the County Council or not. ■""■" Mr Bain Avas glad -to. have the opportunity of addressing the miners of the Saltwater-, and although he was a candidate for Greyniouth, yet if he. was returned he would do his best for their interest. His knowledge of the district : was second to none. He had always don©. ! his best to get them good roads, and it was not his fault that they had hot got them. They would soon have the power m their own hands, and he could not da better than to advise them to be careful m the choice of good men for the Road. Board. The previous speakers had over-! looked the important question of land sales. His opiuion was that they should, lease the land for a certain number of; years, with the power of purchasing if, afterwards, but if was required for min-. ing, compensation should be given. There were great blunders in the mining regufe-. tions, which, if returned, he would try ta have rectified. Mr Comiskey felt obliged to Mr Bain for mentioning the land question: He would never think of disposing of the land, for if that were done, it would be very little use having miners' rights. If the land, was to be sold, what man is there that, would not give a pound' for an acre, forhe might for a certainty rest satisfied that, it contained gold. He would never agree toseU the land (hear, hear). Although" they could not vote for him (Mr Coiniskej) he would strongly recommend to theirnotice Mr Harrison, who was one of the. candidates for Greymouth. He was a gentlemen that would be a. credit to the constituency, and he hoped that he would be returned, for he had pledged himself; to act vnth him (Mr Comiskey) for the benefit of the district. Mr Harrison in-i tended to meet them on Satiirdayeveninjj. and he hoped they would give him a patient hearing. A vote wasnnanimously past that Mr Comiskey was a fit and proper person to, represent the Goldfieids in the County Council. A similar vote was carried in behalf of Mr Bain for the District of Greymouth. A vote of thanks to the Chairman con-, eluded the business of the meeting.