PRICE OF WATER AND SLUDGECHANNEL INQUIRY.

Kumara Times, Issue 2309, 22 January 1884, Page 2

PRICE OF WATER AND SLUDGECHANNEL INQUIRY.

PUBLIC MEETING AT THE THEATRE ROYAL. f+* A largely-attended public meeting of miners and townspeople was held in the Theatre Royal last evening. P. Dungan, Esq., County Chairman, was present, and was asked to preside. Mr Dungan thanked those present for calling upon him to preside; it also gave him great pleasure to do so. He then read the advertisement calling the meeting, which he said was for the purpose of taking the necessary steps to have the miners and others interested thoroughly represented at the inquiry which was to take place on Tuesday morning. In a few words he might point out to them the real business of the meeting. They were all aware of the large amount of dissatisfaction in this district touching (he working and the management of the sludge-channel and the price of water. They had meetings many months ago, at which petitions were drawn up and forwarded to the Minister of Mines to have inquiries made. At last we have heard that an inquiry is to be made. He did not approve of this short notice; they had only one evening before them, and then came the inquiry at the Court House. It was only in the middle of last week that two gentlemen were appointed to make inquiry. Immediately he heard of it, he telegraphed to the Minister of Mines, knowing the opinion of the miners, and put his veto upon the appointment of Mr Gordon.—[Applause.] That gentleman is compromised in this matter, aud should not deal with the inquiry at all.—[Applause.] The Miners Executive Committee was, however, afraid that if they opposed Mr Gordon's acting, there would be no inquiry at all. The Executive Committee desired a third party, and he had telegraphed to the Minister of Miues asking that a third party should be appointed. He had received no reply np to the time that he left Hokitika, at 2.30 in the afternoon. He would like know before the inquiry is held what the Minister of Mines intends to do in the matter. The committee had sent notice to twenty claims that they would like one man to be sent to represent each claim. Resolutions had been prepared, but if they considered that notice of the inquiry was too short, they should say so tomorrow. He would now call upon the mover of the first resolution. Mr John White said the Executive Committee thought that if they asked for an adjournment, the inquiry might be put off to an indefinite period. They did think of proposing Mr Fitz Gerald. He had so much confidence in Dr. Giles that if twenty Gordons were alongside of him, he would not be afraid.—[Applause.] The resolution he had to propose was as follows :—" That in order to avoid further delay in connection with the inquiry to be held on the management of the Kumara sludgechannel and water-race, this meeting is of opinion that it is advisable to meet Dr. Giles and Mr Gordon and proceed with inquiry." Mr T. Reynolds seconded the resolution.

Mr R. J. Seddon, M.H.R., said the resolution did not meet with his approval. It gave no reasons for objecting to Mr Gordon, and contained not a single protest against his appointment. Not many minutes had transpired since he got off the coach, but he had penned a resolution which with the approval of the mover of the previous one he would suggest that someone move—that the following course should be pursued at the inquiry:—" That the aggrieved parties object to the constitution of the tribunal, in so far as Mr Gordon is concerned, seeing he is an interested party and the person by and under whose advice the Government are putting in the sludge-channel stone blocks; and that such system of blocking is causing great loss and inconvenience to the miners using the channel, besides entailing a very heavy loss to the colony. That seeing the Government may perhaps not give another inquiry, and the aggrieved patties not wishing to cast any reflection up >n .mi- respected "Warden, Dr. Giles, and relying upon him seeing fair play the aggrieved parties will, even under these adverse circumstances tender evidence in support of their contention although such evidence may be somewhat incomplete owing to the short notice given as to when the inquiry would be held." That, he considered was a consistent motion, and he thought was in accordance with the opinion of a large majority of the men on this goldfield.—| Applause.] He would sriy speak outright. Let Mr Gordon be on one side of the table,

the miners ou the other, and an impartial tribunal on the bench.—[Applause.] The speaker then referred to the absurdity of the comparisons introduced in Mr Gordon's report with regard to sluicing operations in America and Kumara. It was inconsistent not to protest against Mr Gordon. He had every confidence in Dr. Giles, but he had heard Dr. Giles express himself that he lacked experience, whilst he thought Mr Gordon assumed to knowmore than he did. Take Mr Gordon to Ross or to Nelson Creek, and his works would condemn him.—[Applause.] He had heard it said that Mr Gordon would make a good slave-driver.. [Hear, hear.] The speaker then quoted some figures to show how the elodgechannel might be made to accommodate three parties more in each shift and all parties be satisfied. "We must (be said) have some money spent on the channel. Mistakes had been made, and he wanted Mr Gordon to admit it. We cannot have a gentlemen sitting to deliberate on his own work and acts. He had never before seen a gentleman holding and inquiry on his own department. Mr Gordon had no right to sit on an iuquiry wherein his superior officer Mr Wakefield was concerned. Let them make their protest, and then go on with the inquiry. As regards the notice given of the iuquiry, the law requires that 48 hours' notice should be given. Then again, the petitioners had never been officially informed that any inquiry would be held at all; and there is not a scratch of a pen that any notice has been given to the Miners Association. The main cause of our grievances was the sludgechannel. He had argued the matter of stone-blocking with Mr Gordon in Wellington, and told him then it would be a failure. Mr Gordon said it would be a success. And now he comes here to give judgment. Let them take his advice and adopt the resolution he had read.

Mr White wished before putting Mr Seddon's motion, to state that it was intended to protest against Mr Gordon before proceeding with the inquiry. The Chairman stated that he understood it was the general feeling that Mr Gordon should not have anything to do with the inquiry. He held that if the Minister of Mines refused to appoint a third party, they should object to Mr Gordon.

Mr A. Crebar said he had much plea r sure in moving the resolution read by Mr Seddon. The Executive Committee of the Miners Association had opposed the appointment of Mr Gordon. Mr M. Barrowman seconded the motion, but would explain that there was no going back on the part of the Committee ; they were quite averse to the appointment of Mr Gordon.

Motion read again. Mr D. Hannan disagreed with the resolution, and in a few words would explain why. Supposing the two gentlemen appointed make out two reports, and they were conflicting, then a third wonld become necessary. He held that the inquiry should be adjonrned for two days in order that a third gentleman may bo appointed. Mr Seddon said it would most likely be found impracticable to adjourn the inquiry. The Minister of Mines was not in Wellington, but in the South Island. Then Dr Giles had other engagements which he could not alter.

The Chairman said he felt certain that his message for a third party would be forwarded to Mr Rolleston wherever he was. He thought an adjournment of the inquiry was necessary. Mr D. Hannan would move an amendment —" Whereas it is the opinion of this meeting that Mr Gordon, being an interested party, the miners are averse to his holding any judicial position at the inquiry; and that Dr. Giles be asked to grant a reasonable time for adjournment; or that a third party be appointed."

The first resolution, moved by Mr debar, was then pat and carried. Mr Hannan's motion was theu seconded by Mr Crebar.

Mr W. Morris could not agree with this motion. Although opposed to Mr Gordon, he was for going on with the inquiry.

Mr W. Barnett considered the asking for an adjournment would be a sign of weakness; he thought the inquiry ought to be gone on with. He should vote against an adjournment. Mr Seddou said an adjournment meaut at least a week. Let Mr Gordou do his best, and we could do the same. [Hear, hear.] Mr Hannan, in reply, saidj from what he had heard Mr Gordon would only bo too glad to have a telegram that he was not to sit.

The amendment was then put and rlrclared lost.

Mv G. Brown then moved the third rpsolutinn—"Tlmt this iwMhi K empower the JSxecuiivc L' uun-.tee of the

Miners Association to represent the miners at the inquiry to be held by Dr. Giles and Mr Gordon to-morrow, and to bring forward such evidence as they may deem necessary." He did not think it necessary to say anything upon it. The motion was seconded by Mr G. Mansfield, and carried. Mr W. Morris moved—" That in the opinion of this meeting the plan of paving the sludge-channel with stones greatly lessens its carrying capacity, and causes it to get more frequently choked with tailings, to the detriment of the interests of the miners making use of it, and would recommend the Government to immediately instruct the Manager not to place any more stones in the channel, but to proceed with the wooden paving till such time as iron can be procured." During the holidays twelve chains of stone blocking had been put in, and since then the Manager has found it necessary that one party less should work into the channel at a time. He was of opinion when 60 chains were blocked with stones, it would not carry the water itself.— [Laughter.] But If the channel was blocked with iron he believed it would enable three more parties to work in each shift. The motion was seconded by Mr Rothwell, and carried. Mr F. Marshall then moved—" That in order to relieve the pressure for use of the sludge-channel, and to allow of all the auriferous ground commanded by it being worked advantageously, this meeting is of opinion that some other outlet for tailings is absolutely necessary, and recommend the Government to cause a survey to be made with a view to constructing another channel on a smaller principle, but equally suitable for the purpose required." This, he said, seemed to be the only solution of our difficulties, and to get over the present system where there were so many stoppages. We ought to agitate for another sludge-channel; it was absolutely required to get us put of our present difficulties. Mr A. Crebar heartily supported the resolution. He believed that if another channel were constructed, starting at about Alex. Reid's claim, that would relieve us from our difficulties. It could be done, and done cheaply ; he thought for about £3OOO. It would relieve the tailings site and relieve the present channel. The motion was adopted. M. W. Barnett then moved—" That this meeting heartily approves of the appointment of Dr. Giles to sit at the inquiry to take place to-morrow, and has every confidence in that gentleman's impartiality and good sense." He was much pleased when he knew that Dr. Giles was appointed to make this inquiry. He thought it no matter how many were on the inquiry, he believed Dr. Giles would see that the miners had justice.—[Applause.] The motion was seconded by Mr D. Haunan and carried. Mr C. Hurris moved—" That one man from each claim attend the Court House to-morrow, for the purpose of giving such evidence • as may be required. About five yesrs ago he had the pleasure of waiting on Mr Oliver (then Public Works Minister), who remarked that when the time came that work had to be abandoned owing to the high price of water, they should have water at the Waimea price. He had every confidence in our Warden, who would act just and right, as hitherto. The motion was seconded by Mr G. "Watson, and carried. The Chairman said he would be goin« to Hokitika first thing in the morning If there were an answer from the Minister of Mines, he would telegraph at once to the Secretary of the Miners Association. Mr Hannan then moved a vote of thanks to the Chairman for presiding and the meeting closed.