THE NEW MINING RULES OF WESTLAND.

Grey River Argus, Volume IX, Issue 723, 6 September 1870, Page 3

THE NEW MINING RULES OF WESTLAND.

A trustworthy correspondent at Rosanna Terrace, Eight-vnile, sent us the following report of a meeting of miners in time for onr last issxie, but we regret \ to. say that it did not reach us until last evening : — This quiet little quarter has emerged from its lethargic state in its active determined stand made against the amended gold field? regulations. .When the first news of their publication arrived here, and current report spoke of the illiberal provisions contained in them, and of their. binding, character, the miners to a man protested against the narrowminded policy that dictated them, and denounced a fresh tax upon their labor?. Accordingly a committee of miners was at once formed, aud a public meeting decided upon, to be held at Hughes' Hotel, on Saturday night, at eight o'clock. Notices were posted up in the district announcing the meeting and its object— that ot considering the amended gold fields regulations— and in compliance miners gathered in good numbers, many coming in from the Eight-mile to attend the meeting. Mr Peter Dong an was voted to the chair, who complimented the miners on their presence, briefly reviewed the business of the meeting, calling upon the miners at all times to take energetic steps to make a good stand in defence of their interests,and characterising the new tax— the compulsorysnrvey of ordiuary claims — as gratuitously offensive to the mining population.. That a more impudent.stupid, and arbitrary mining law had not been enacted since New Zealand became a gold field. . T-he following resolutions were passed Unanimously and with acclamation by the meeting .:-=*•. PrOppsed by Mr K. Minhimebt, and seconded by Mr Davies :— " That, in the opinion of, this meeting, the new tax of L 2 2s in the amended Gold Fields Regulations is iniquitous in every sense of the yrordj that if is fatal to the proper de-

veiopmentof West-land asagold fluid, and detrimental to those elements of success inseparable to i*s prosperity, the intelligence, industry, and energy of its mining population." Proposed by Mr P. Breen, and seconded by Mr J. Hinnigan : — "That, in tlw opinion of this meeting, we view with alarm and indignation the unjust and arbitrary rule, that of imposing a fresh tax upon the hard labor of the miners, and that its application in the present depressed state of mining in Westland is highly suggestive of legislative madness j and wi> horeby e:ill upon the miners t> raise their voice in condemnation of its existence. ' Proposed by Mr P. Mulvihill, and seconded by Mr P. Flanagan: — "That, in the opinion of this meeting, the crude, scanty, and illibsral provisions made in the amended Gold Fields Regulations by the County Chairman are well calculated to retard the progress of mining iv Westland, and thereby act most injuriously upon the interests of the miners." Proposed by Mr P. Pyne, and seconded by Mr P. M'Mahon :— " That the warmest thanks of the meeting be given to the Grey River Argus for its prompt and able advocacy at all times in support of mining interests, and that a copy of the foregoing resolutions be forwarded to that office for publication." A vote of thanks was then passed to the Chairman, and the miners quietly dispersed. ,