PUBLIC MEETING.

Hokitika Guardian, 17 July 1922, Page 1

PUBLIC MEETING.

A HIMU GATHERING. . A public meeting ws held at ltimu on Saturday evening in the Public Hall to deal with a threatened resumption by the Forestry Department of the Mining Reserve nt Back-Creek and other matters of interest to the mining community.

After the meeting had been decided upon a communication was received through the columns of “The Guardian” that Mr Massey had decided not to consent to the resumption of the ( area for Forestry purposes, but it was j decided to proceed with the meeting with a view of thanking the Prime ] Minister and Minister of Mines for | their action and also to deal with other important matters, particularly regarding protection to mining privileges. .Mr A. H. Bauckc (President of the Westland Miners’ Association) presided and upon his motion and after explaining the objects of the meeting moved the following resolution: — “That this public meeting of residents of Bimu and district learns with pleasure the decision of the lit. Hon the Prime Minister and the Minister of Mines in refusing to allow the Public Tailing Site Reserve at Back Crock to lie converted into a nursery for State Forest purposes. In the opinion of this meeting the Reserve will be required for the original purpose for which it was resumed, namely b»na lido mining purposes and further that it would be unsuitable for Forestry purposes on accont of its liability to erosion and flooding by the Hokitika River.” This resolution was seconded bv Mr William Shannon. At this stage the Chairman called upon Mr J. A? Murdoch who addressed the meeting at some length, explaining the objects of the promoters of the meeting. The resolution was carried unanimously.

Mr Arthur Clifton moved a further resolution as follows: —

“That this meeting strongly urges the Prime Minister and the Minister ol Mines to amend the protection clause of ■ the Mining Act, 100$. whereby the \\ a,don Courts and the Minister '>l Mines may he empowered to grant protection certificates tor longer intervals than are at present provided for. Such longer or extended periods ol protection to he granted in those eases only where it is proved to the Wardens Courts and to the Minister that the applications are bona fide and that . it is just and proper such protection should be granted.’ This resolution was seconded by Mr John Boyd and supported by Messrs O’Connor, Stoop and 11 van and was also carried unanimously. Mr John Knowles then moved as follows :—■ “That the above resolutions he torwarded to Mr T. K. Y. Soddon, M.P.. for transmission to the Prime Minister and the Minister of Mines.” This resolution was supported by Mr David Kelly and Mr William Stephens and was declared carried. Votes of thanks to the Chair and to the visitors terminated the meeting.