PUBLIC MEETING FOR PROSPECTING THE SHOTOVER GORGE.

Lake Wakatip Mail, Volume II, Issue 72, 6 January 1864, Page 4

PUBLIC MEETING FOR PROSPECTING THE SHOTOVER GORGE.

A meeting of the inhabitants of Queenstown took place yesterday afternoon, at the Theatre Royal, for the purpose of taking into consideration the advisability of prospecting the Shotover Gorge. Mr B. Cass was elected chairman. Captain Budd addressed the meeting pointing out that the prosperity of Queenstown depended upon working this Gorge properly. The Chairman called upon Mr Shaw to explain matters more fully. Mr Shaw said he was only a working man, and had little to add to the letter which had appeared in the Wakatip Mail. He had no other suggestions to add to those already given in his letter. The miners had suffered so mjchfrom floods, and were so disgusted with their unprofitable labors, that they would not, unless supported by public contributions, enter into such works. Timber was plentiful, and the sinking was not difficult. Business people were interested in developing these resources, and he felt confident that if gold was once struck in this Gorge, he had no doubt that the whole of the country from here to the Elbow would be found to be auriferous. (Hear, hear.) He was sure this would prove jirue. He was no great speaker, and therefore would say no more, only that it was a good thing to be carried oul. Mr Miller said that he and his mates had been prospecting for about a fortnight in the Gorge, and had sunk 45 feet. They wanted assistance to enable them to bottom, as they found timber was necessary. His mate got a speck of three grains in weight when they had got down only fifteen feet, and the color was to be found all the way down. Their shaft was about a quarter of a mile from the township. The water was not much, but slabs were necessary. The danger was in the buckets going up and down, as they might strike against a boulder. Judging from appearances, they expected they would arrive on u false bottom at about sixty foet.

Mr Dunn—l'll give 500 feet of timber and 50 lbs weight of flour. (Loud applause.) Mr Webster, in a few remarks pointed out the advantages that would accrue from the proper carrying out of the object of the meeting, giving the credi f of the present movement to Mr Johnson. He would give willingly £5 worth of provisions to the movement. (Cheers.) Mr W. G. Carey said he was not in a position to offer the public either provisions or slabs, but , on beholf of the dramatic company, he might state that they were quite willing to give a benefit for the furtherance of the undertaking. (Cheers.) The following names were put down in the course of the meeting for the sums annexed: — Capt. Budd, £5 ; Mr Johnson, £5; Mr Weaver, £5; Mr Shaw, £o; J. C. Brown & Co., £5 ; Kennedy Bros., £5 ; Mr George, £2; Mr Smith, £1; Cohen & Lazard, £1 Is ; Mr Singer, £L Is; Mr Cass, £1 Is. Mr Willis said he was an old digger, and would like, before he put down his name, to find out ; how it was going to be conducted. Mr F. Carey coincided with the last speaker. The affair must be carried forward properly. A | little Hour or slabs would not prospect the Gorge i —it was no use deceiving themselves. There , was only one way of doing it, and that was by i forming an association, and obtaining a lease of j sufficient ground to make it payable, in case of striking gold. Captain Budd was not aware that the money subscribed was to be bestowed promiscuously on any party at present workiug in the (Jorge. It must be carried out in a systematic manner if they wished for success. The Chairman pointed out that the Govern- , ment would most likely grant a sum equivalent at least to that collected locally. (A Voice u What j have they given towards the Arrow Flat Association?") I Mr Gordon spoke at some length, pointing out i the evils of raining companies, and citing several ! instances where an enormous outlay had failed to produce satisfactory results; but when the claims were let on tribute, were found to pay well. He expressed as his opinion that companies were a curse to a digging country ; and that where it would not pay private parties, it would not pay public companies. He would give £lO «onditionally on there being no paid officers. (Hear, i hear.) Mr Gillespie agreed with Mr Gordon. Give the prospectors sufficient to find them in tucker ! and tools; and should gold be struck let them I have it. Mr Manders spoke in favor of the movement. Mr F. Carey. Mr Willis, Mr Gordon, and others discussed at some length the proper course '' to be adopted, when The Chairman said it was not worth while at ! that moment to discuss the mangement of mining companies—the meeting was called for the : purpose of forwarding a certain object. The j after management would rest entirely with the committee they might appoint. Mr Gordon moved, and Mr Welsh seconded—- " That the Provisional Committee be empowered |to receive subscriptions for forming an associa- ' tion to prospect the Gorge between Queenstown and Arthur's Point." Carried. Mr Bond—Who are the Provisional Com- | mittee ? The Chairman—Messrs Weaver, Pritchard, [ Welsh, Cass, Johnson, Chesswas.

The following names were then added—Messrs Gordon, Budd, Manders, Anderson, George, and Harris. A vote of thanks was passed to the Chair, and the meeting adjourned for a week, at the same place. WAKATIP JOCKEY CLUB. A meeting of the Committee was held last night at the Albion Hotel. Present—Messrs Morton (chair), Welsh, Gordon, Bradshaw, M'Gaw, Elliot, Lockhart, Bracken, Manders, Brookes. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed, with the addition—" that £lO be the upset price of the booths." A deputation from Arthur's Point were introduced, and Mr. Gillespie, as spokesman, read the following:— To the Committee of the Wakatip Jockey Club. Gentlemen, —Whereas the races in connection with the Wakatip District are advertised to be held on the 14th, loth, and 16th inat., in the vicinity of Frankton. As that position is generally regarded as by no means the most eligible or conducive to the amusement of the majority of the inhabitants of the district, we respectfully submit for your consideration the following propositions:— Firstly—That the races be removed from the neighborhood of Frankton, and held on the Crown Terrace, Arthur's Pvint. Secondly—That in the event of the said races being held at the latter place, the sum of one hundred pounds will be added to the funds of the club. Thirdly—That the inhabitants of the Point will clear the course at their own cost to the satisfaction of the race committee.

We would further beg to state that racing isgenerally supported and looked upon as a source of recreation, and its success takes its hue from the numbers who participate in its enjoyments. The mining population being the support and stay of the district, and by far the most numerous, we consider that their interests should receive a fair consideration at your hands, which would not be extended to them it held in such an isolated place as Frankton. When you consider the central position of Arthur's Point and close proximity to the other parts of the river, and convenient distance from Queeustown, and being equally as near the Arrow, we feel assured that

_ > 4 success would mark the advent of the important race held in the district if the suggKrfions which we now otter be adopted. The proposed course is unquestionably the best site for racing in this locality, easily cleared, with excellent elevations suitable ftitf he erection of booths, &e., with every prospect or its remaining intact for years from the advance of the miner or agriculturist. The deputation having withdrawn, a discussion took place as to the advisability of acceding to this request, when the following resolution was arrived at, which was subsequently read to the deputation:—"That the Committee of the Wakatip Jockey Club thank the people of Arthur's Point for their liberal offer of £IOO if the race-course be transferred to that place, but regret that the late hour at which the offer has been made precludes them from entertaining the same on the present occasion." Mr. Gillespie thanked the Committee for their courtesy, but regretted that they were so blind to their own, as well as others' interests. In that case, the people of Arthur's Point would have their own races on the same day. The Chairman —We leave that to your own good sense, gentlemen. The deputation then withdrew. Mr. Gordon moved, and Mr Bracken seconded —" That the grand stand shall hold not fewer than 200 persons, and that the price of tickets do not exceed 10s." Carried. A discussion took place concerning a proposal to hold a race ball in Queenstown. It was ;:t length arranged that it be held on the evening of the second day of the races, Friday, the 15th inst., at Bracken's Commercial Hall, and the tickets (double) be £1 Is. Mr. M'Gaw proposed, and Mr. Bradshaw seconded—" That the stewards of the ball issue tickets of invitation to ladies; and that gentlemen wishing to introduce a lady to the ball shall procure a ticket of admission from the ball committee; and that in no instance shall a lady be admitted without having obtained such invitation." Carried. Mr. Bradshaw proposed, and Mr. Bracken seconded-"That the ball be under the patronage of the Committee of the Wakatip Jockey Club, and that the following gentlemen be stewards of the same:—Messrs. Morton, M'Gaw, Bracken, Bradshaw, Gordon, Lockhart, Welsh, Rees, Powell, Elliot, Brookes, Allert, Richmond, Callaghan." Carried. A vote of thanks was then passed to the chair, and the meeting adjourned.