MINERS' ASSOCIATION.

Mount Ida Chronicle, Volume IV, Issue 225, 27 June 1873, Page 6

MINERS' ASSOCIATION.

A special general meeting, of the members of the Mount Ida Miners' Association was"held on Saturday evening last in the Temperance Hall, for the purpose of electing two members of Committee, instead of Messrs Creighton and G-reen.re-signed, and to adopt rules and regulations. Mr Robert Boss, chairman, presided. The Chairman briefly reviewed the proceedings of the Committee since, the formation of the Association in February last, and pointed out the influence they "and' similar associations were likely to exercise .upon the future legislature of the country, more especially the (^fields

districts. In proof of this, lie might mention, the fact of a telegram having been sent from Dunedin by the successful candidate at the last election, addressed "to the Miners'. Association," which was, for some unaccountable reason, kept in the hands of the Election Committee in this town for some days before being' made known to the secretary of this Association. He referred to the action taken, and expense incurred by the Committee in prospecting the ground along the upper part of the sludge channel, and was convinced that their labors would have the desired effect, and prove a lasting benefit to the town. He regretted that he had not had an opportunity of carefully studying the new Goldfields Bill, as he was leaving the Colony in a few days for Victoria, but so far as he was able to judge, the Bill, would not meet the requirements of the miners : a simple and less expensive measure is required. However, these Associations being now established in all the principal mining districts; in the Province, would be able to give valuable information and advice in this matter. He' also referred to the great inconvenience to the miners, and loss to the storekeepers, 'occasioned by the new arrangement of the banks closing on Saturday evenings/ and suggested that it was a matter in which the. Committee might have some influence in inducing an alteration of the hours now fixed. Aftep these remarks, he would now call upon the meeting to elect two members of Committee instead of Messrs Creighton and Green resigned—when the following names were submitted to the meeting Hugh Gillespie, Joseph Kealy,! and Joseph Lees. The two first 'were de- i clared elected. - ; •• ' ! ' The Secretary then read the Rules and Regulations, which, after some discussion, were adopted on the motion of Mr Hobson, seconded by Mr Kealy. The 3rd Rule we were requested to copy—" That the enrolment fee be one shilling for each member, and that an annual subscription of 2s. 6d. be paid-in aid of the funds, to commence on the 30th of June inst." In reply ,to a question, the Secretary stated that 133 members were at present on the roll, the fees amounting to.£6 135., that the liabilities incurred by the Committee amounted to £9 Is: 6d. Mr J. P. Armstrong begged to congratulate the Association upon the good which they had done with so little money (at the same time handing to the Secretary his annual subscription), and believed, finally that these Associations were destined to exercise important influence in the-affairs .of the state. He had much pleasure in moving a vote of thanks to his old friend, the Chairman, and was sorry to hear that he is leaving the Colony.