GOLD-MINING LEASES.

Grey River Argus, Volume XV, Issue 1879, 13 August 1874, Page 3

GOLD-MINING LEASES.

The following is the text of a memorial to be forwarded to the Superintendent of Nelson, praying for the suspension of the operation in the Nelson Creek district, of the leasing clauses of the Rules and Regulations for the Nelson South-west Goldfields. We may state that we have been informed that a counter-memorial to the Government is in course of signature, contradicting certain statements in the sub joined petition, and praying that the benefits of the leasing clauses may continue to be extended to the Nelson Creek district, subject to the discretionary power of the Warden, as heretofore — "To his Honor the Superintendent of Nelson. "Honored Sir — We the undersigned miners and business men of Nelson Creek, Grey Valley, South-west Gold-fields, becoming alarmed at the rapidity with which the country is being taken up along the line of the Nelson Creek Government Water-race, seeing that the future prosperity of the district depends entirely on the judicious manner in which the water from the said race shall be distributed, we view with distrust the leasing of large blocks of the said auriferous land to small parties, and to prevent, if possible, such ruinous consequences as we dread from the said leasing system, we have held a public meeting, at which the following resolutions have been adopted : — "Moved by Mr John M'Entee, seconded by Mr J. Neilen, and supported by Mr W. Claughessy — 'That owing to the large and unlimited areas of highlyauriferous ground applied for, and likely to be applied for on the strength of the Lake Hochstetter Water-race, this meeting is of opinion that something should be done to prevent such monopoly.' — Carried unanimously. "On the motion of Mr J. M. Morris, seconded by John Coll, supported by Mr -John Callow : — ' Resolved that the miners > and others connected with the district of Creek, in public meeting assembled, Consider that that portion of, or section'of, the Rules and Regulations of the Nelson South- West Gold-fields, commencing on page 63 of the Regulations published in 1873, and headed Gold-mining Lease Regulations (so far as alluvial workings are concerned), are utterly inapplicable to the requirements of this district, and should be therefore suspended so far as this district is concerned.' Carried unanimously. " Proposed by Mr James Morris, and seconded by Jos. Johnson — 'That this meeting appoint a Committee to prepare a memorial to the Superintendent embodying the resolutions agreed to by this meeting, the said memoiial to be signed by all miners and others concerned, and forwarded at once to his Honor the Superintendent.' " The following were appointed such Committee : — Messrs John M'Entee, Jas. M. Morris, W. Claughsey, Jas. M'Kinyey, John Cunningham, J. Neilen, Thomas Gronan, Richard Lochead. " We, the Committee, do therefore most respectfully request your Honor, on behalf of the public of this district, to suspend the Gold-fields Mining Lease Regulations now in force on these goldfields so far as this district is concerned. " Here follow signatures."