PUBLIC MEETING AT THE GREENSTONE.

Grey River Argus, Volume XII, Issue 1080, 13 January 1872, Page 2

PUBLIC MEETING AT THE GREENSTONE.

■ ♦ . „..;. - [from -cub own correspondent.] ~ A publiq .meeting, as mentioned in our yesterday's issue, was held at the Green.gtone,' -on^ Monday/ evening, for.the purpose of considering the present position «f the town in regard to its likelihood of its being swamped by the tailings /froth the Duke of Edinburgh Terrace. Mr Ciune was voted to the chair, and explained the object for which the meeting Was called. It was highly necessary that something should be done "to remedy the evil complained of; The County Chairman, in the course of his visit -to the Greenstone lately, stated that a new township would be : surveyed, and sthe business people pould shift to it, and that no more business licenses would be iasued to those at present holding licenses in the old township. "" Messrs .- M. Donald, Shanahan, and Luby urged, on behalf of the miners, that if the portion of the township in danger be not removed so as to allow the miners to proceed with their workf they might just as well leave the.district. Messrs Keenan, Clune, Foley, Hoolahan, and Davidson pointed out ;the great hardship inflicted on the storekeepers if they were compelled to remove their, premises. Many of; them were not able to do, so, as they could not afford it. At all events there were good grounds for compensation being awarded to them by the County Council, and as their representative was present, he would draw his. attention to it.. : " , : Mr Dungan, M.C.C., said it gave him great pleasure to be present' atsuch^an influential meeting, but he woqld remind them 5 that he was there more in : the character of a listeuer seeking to gain information, as he had no personal interest in regard to the subject of dispute. It was the duty of the miners and the storekeepers to grapple with the difficulty, but as their representative: in ; the County Council, he- would gladly present- any grievance. As - to ; promising to obtain compensation, he must certainly decline so rash an undertaking— however, jJie would do his best to sorve them. ; I The Chairman stated that the storekeepers were willing to come to any arrangements with the miners to avoid unpleasantness. The Water-Race Company was deeply interested, and ought to come forward and assist, ' ■ ;: '■'-' Ultimately a' cpmmitjee of twelve were appointed to take action with^ a view 'to settling the difficulty. ' •■ • The Chairman said that as the .most urgent business had been settled, he jiad no.. doubt but that; Mr Dungan would address them concerning the action of the late Coiinty Council. ? ■ L Mr Dongan said he felt s, me little delicacy in taking part in the principal business of the evening as there were so many conflicting interests, and therefore it would haye.been yesy improper; on this part to have offered an opinion one. way or the other, but he thought they had, come to a very sensible conclusion in appointing aj- committee to' deal with the questibn. '-With regard to the' aotibn he had taken. in the County Council 'he had always endeaVored to fulfil the pledge he gave theihytien'lie/was elected, and that was to serve tfie interests of the district so far as lay iii his humble, capacity. He did his utmost' WttK'HhVUate member for Gff ey bo\i t]i infringing pr6minently before the County' the wants and requirements of that part of the County. The late ".agitation for separation *in the Grey district was a significant indication to the powersthat be that the public would ■ not be : trifled with,"and steps; no doubt, would be taken for improvement. 'The 'yearly decrease of the revenue in New "Zealand, coupled with the enormous cost -of the maohinery of the Government showed that reform was Necessary. The Ootfrity Council, with all its. faults and failings, had done a great daalof practical work during the r last session/ Every part of the County h.ad aonjexiseful progressive undertaking providpi % it. That important part pf the' Ooutity— the Grey iistricferrhacl good Reasons for complaining that it had been neglected, but tardy

justice had at last been rendered to it, iri the shape of 'important beneficial works — ,',- that is to say, in the making of the road *£%; from .the Oinotumotu Creek to the Arnold, and the track from Maori Creek to Maori Gully. If the Council would carry out works of this description, and confine -themselves io.tha making of roads, -tracks, and bridges, there would be less grumbling among ithe people, and' would' vbffer encouragement to miners to remain in the •-■•->«•■ ; ■ •-,-.-.y(a>-..-<«w»™-^wOT««' . Various questioi^.were then put and answered satisfactorily'; ! Mr Keenan moved a vote of thanks to Mr Dungan for his attendance, and passed: an eulogium on that gentleman respecting the manner in which he had fulfilled his duty to his constituents., The motion having been seconded, was carried unanimously. : : .- , -- , , ,|rp Mr Dungan, in returning thanks, assured those present, that he. would .always endeavor to earn their good opinion, but should' they : find a^more 1 able or worthy representative he was prepared to place his resignation in their hand 5 .. ....; i A vote of thanks to the Chairman concluded the proceedings. „ r .. .' J