THE MINISTER OF MINES’ VISIT

Kumara Times, Issue 1648, 10 January 1882, Page 2

THE MINISTER OF MINES’ VISIT

PUBLIC MEETING AT DILLMAN’S TOWN. ♦ Pursuant; to request made by Mr R. J. Seddon, M.H.R., M.C.C., a public meeting of miners was held at Reynolds’ Hotel last evening, for the purpose of deciding as to the best means of bringing the requirements of this goldfield before the Minister of Mines. Mr D. Beatty was called upon to take the chair. He said he was under a cloud, as it was only five minutes ago that he was informed of a meeting being called to meet the the Minister of Mines. He would simply call on the originator of the meeting. [Hear, hear.] Mr R. J. Seddox, addressing Ohai.*man and gentlemen, said they could make a very good guess what the meeting was called for. There was very little time for any ceremony. The object was to decide upon the best means of receiving the Hon. Mr Rollestnn, Minister of Mines, on his arrival at Knmara. He received a telegram from that gentlemen last Friday, staging that he would proceed to Westport, thence to Greymoutb, and would in all probability be here on Wednesday next. He should have asked the Chairman of the County Council to call this meeting, but he found there would not be time, and so he had taken upon himself to call them together. They were most of them awaie that the Minister of Mines was coming round the Coast to see for himself what are our absolute nrce si ties. He (Mr Seddon) had heard that instructions had been given within the last two days to stop the blocking of the sludge-channel. He hoped they would put matters very forcibly before Mr Rolleston when he arrived. It was on the 12th March last that the dam which snppl ed most of this goldfield broke away, and the repairs were not yet finished. Blame was no name for the indifference shown in this matter—it was worse than crime.—[Hear, hear, and applause,] When public grievances are known to exist, he was always ready to assist in exposing them, and, if possible, to devise a remedy. At Temora, he observed the Warden of the goldfield goes about and settles claims and disputes immediately on the ground. It was deplorable here to see the time litigants lost in most trivial cases. There would now be an opportunity of putting matters before the right person. Another ques-

tion for the consideration of the miners I was whether the granting of large; areas was to hie continued or not; fori his own part he held dolibts whether it was expedient. He would now advise . that a Reception Committee be formed; and that a public meeting be held with the Minister of Mines, so that any miner should be able to express his opinion. He w'ould advise the miners to turn out en masse—[Hear, hear, and applaUse.]—to show the bone and sinew that is idlp, for , want of water. Although he (Mr Seddon) was an Opposition member, that would be no drawback to the reception the Minister of Mines should nieet With • he is the representatives of the Government of New Zealand, and should be treated as such. If we wire to him saying there would be a banquet, we shall only be doing our duty.—[Applause] ; [A Voice : How are we to know when he will cornel] Mr Seddon explained that Mr Rolleston had promised to wire him from Greymouth. The County Chairman (Mr P. Dungan) said he was very pleased to meet so many that evening. Mr Seddon was quite correct in stating that he had explained to him (Mr Dungau) the reason for calling the meeting so hurriedly. Reassured Mr Seddon that he Was one with him in this movement—[Applause.] He had himself sent several telegrams to inquire when Mr Rolleston might be expected; and it so happened that he had received one an hour or two since, from the County Clerk at Hokitika, whom he had instructed to forward on here any telegram which might be received during his absence from the office. The reply was as follows ; To Mr P. Dungan, Esq., County Chairman, Kumara. At Reefton now ; Ahaura on Saturday night ; Greymouth beginning of next week. Cannot say positively when I shall be in Kumara or Hokitika, but will wire from Greymouth. W. Rolleston. January 9, 1882, The County Chairman then continued— If a committee be formed, as suggested, it will be more satisfactory to all that we will have more time, and it will be better.—[Hear, hear.] Every step that was possible had been taken by the miner to secure the peimanency of this goldfield. A large petition had been presented to Parliament; money was voted for the purpose, and yet the sludge-channel was not completed, and No. 2 dam not even commenced yet. He would advise them to turn out in hundreds, and demonstrate the absolute necessity of these matters being attended to. He hoped that when the Minister of Mines does come here, the miners will not feel shy in coming forward. Unless water is provided, this goldfield must C'dlapse,—[Hear, hear, and applause.] It is the leading goldfield on (he West Coast, and one of the most important in New Zealand. . We want water to keep on miners here.— [Applause.] Mr W. Morris said he had a resolution to propose, and a long one too, .it was That in the opinion of this meeting it is desirable—1. That a Reception Committee be appointed to wait on the Minister of Mines on his arrival in Kumara. 2. That he be asked to make a personal inspection of this goldfield, with a view of becoming personally acquainted with its requirements. 3. That the miners turn out en masse and meet him. 4. That in the evening a banquet be held in honor of his visit, and as a proof of the good-fellowship existing between the miners and the head of the department which has their welfare at command. The visit of the Minister of Mines (Mr Morris said) would soon be an established fact. He hoped the miners would all turn out. With these few remarks he would move the adoption of the resolution, Mr Wm Fraser seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously. Mr S. Agnew said they had heard the resolution, and he now proposed to add the names of ' the gentlemen who were to comprise the committee. You have all heard the remarks made, and are familiar with the correspondence which has appeired on the subject from time to time in the Kumara Times. He quite agreed with the proposals to m°et the Minister of Mines. He thought it would be an advantage to have a holiday, as it would show a general good feeling and help to produce a favorable impression. He would suggest that any miner whose name was not read as on the committee, but who would like to act, should come forward and offer himself. He then proposed— That the Reception Committee consist of the following gentlemen, with power to add to their number :—Messrs S. Aguew, H. Beatty, T. Jones, W. Morris, P. Barrowman, D. M'Connon, B. Tonkin, G, Mansfield, N. Poison, J, Henderson,

F. Thorne, R. Leei, A. Leslie, 0. Bunz, T. Brown, M. Barrowman, P. Arthur, F. filarshall,>, R. filorgan, J. Leech; D; M‘Farlane, C. Harris, Thos. Lewis. Mr Paym-\n said although a stranger he took, much interest in the proceedings and the welfare of ttiie place. He was a miner t of thirty stamping. It was he who made suggestions many months ago in the Kumara Times in reference to the construction of the sludge-channel, and the work being taken up by the miners themselves. He claimed that rinleSs this scheme was carried out, it would he the downfall of the polony.. It was evident that they had in filr Seddon a good miners’ re-presenta,tdvier-a. real John Bull—wbp was worthy, to be held in the highest esteem.—[Hear, hear, and applause.] If the colony was justified in going to Em ope to borrow money for making railways, they ought also to tfdrrow money from the same source for extracting the gold. In making a four of these goldfields,, he had come to tub conclusion that they had gold here by the ton.—[Hear; hear." He repeated by the ton.—[Applause. He did not approve of feeding the Minister • they might find that he would lay on thp sofa afterwards, and forget all about their wants, [Latighter.] Show a stern determination to impress upon him that he cannot ledve this district until justice has been done to it.— [Loud applause, and cheers.] Mr Morris then moved a vote of thanks to the,Chairman. After which the Reception Committee met, and organised proceedings; and resolved to meet again da Friday evening next. PUBLIC MEETING AT THE TOWN HALL, KUMARA; In pursuance of a requisition to his Worship the Mayor (J. O’Hagan, Escf-j a public meeting was Held in the Town Hall last evening, “ for the purpose of determining as to the most desirable way of bringing the requirements of the district before the Minister of Mines.” There was a large attendance. The Mayor briefly stated the object of the meeting, and called ori Mr R. J, Seddon, as one of the gentlemen signing the requisition, to address the meeting. filr R. J, Seddon, after explaining the reason for the requisition, and referring to what had just taken place at a meeting at Dillman’a Town, said the next question to be considered wAs/ How are these matters to be placed ? It was desirable that a Reception Committee should be formed, and a memorial drawn up and presented. He knew that on one or two occasions exclusiveness had been shown. From his personal knowledge of Mr Rolleston tliey might rest assured that free convir.-e with him would work harmoniously and well. He would say meet Mr Rolleston freely, and let everyone who wished address him. He would like to see them turn out as on the occasion of Sir George Grey’s last visit here. If there were a banquet he would probably spend a longer time hei'e; it would also show a very good feeling, and although your member was politically in Opposition, he would be with him iii the matter of public works. We have such claims on the Government that we should claim them as a right and prove a benefit to the miners of the district. He moved the following resolution;—“ That in the opinion of this meeting it is desirable—l. That a Reception Committee be appointed to wait on the filinister of Mines on his arrival in Kuraara, 2. That he be asked to make a personal inspection of this goldfield, with a view of becoming personally acquainted with its ments, 3. That the filayof proclaim' the day a public holiday, i. That in the evening a public banquet be held in honor of the visit,” He hoped they would work as one man for the benefit of the district.—[Applause.] The motion was seconded by Mr Barff, and was declared carried without a dissentient voice. The names of the following gentlemen were then proposed as a Reception Committee His Worship the Mayor and members of the Borough Council, the Town Cleik, Messrs Blake, G. Simmons, E, Barff, W. Davidson, F. Keenan, J. Gilbert, J, Woodward, J. S. Pearn, A. Skilton, D. Hannan, J. Davidson/ J. Mulvihill, W. Keecb, W. Wiesuer, R. Toms, W. B. Robinson, P. Dungan, J. S. O'Brien, A. Crebar, D. M‘Lennan, P. Duggan, O. W. Anderson, T< fiPFetrich, with power to add to their number. Mr Seddon hoped that anyone who had anything to say Wonld speak hie mind on this occasion, and not have it to say afterwards that such.and such a thing should have been done. He trusted they would endeavour to address the Minister of Mines as one raan.-“ [Applause.] The fiIAYOR hoped that the banquet would be general, and participated in by all. No doubt, as bad been sug-

gbstpd, the Borough Council would do Sts sham. , . , .. Mr Dayman said he .was Very pleased jto See 30 great interest taken in tile district, and generally, cpmpliraeptecl the people having $o excellent a representative., .fte • .hoped the great water scheme would be parried ,out to perfection and Kumara bpcome ,a great mining, centre. hear, and applhuse.].. , v_ . r A yp|e of thanks the Chairman, Carried with acclamation, terminated the proceedings.. . .•. . , , kA report of the Committee, nieeeting eld afterwards Will appear tb-mbrrbw. |