MINING ASSOCIATION.

Mount Ida Chronicle, Volume V, Issue 296, 30 October 1874, Page 3

MINING ASSOCIATION.

The usnal monthly meeting was held at' Mr. Busch's residence on Wednesday evening" last. Present —Mr. Shannon (chair), and Messrs. Woodhill, Webber, Moore, Jackson, and the secretary. -The minutes of last meetings were read and confirmed.

Letter read from Provincial Secretary enclosing-copy of resolution adopted by the Provincial Council (on the' motion of Mr. de Lautour, M.P.C.), re bonus of £250, for the best gold-saving apparatus, with a request that-the Association would favor the Government with any suggestions as to the regulations and conditions on which the bonus should be paid. - The Secretary reminded the Committee of the receipt by him of a circular letter some time ago, from the Central Association, which was sent to all the Mining Associations in the Province, and also published in the ' Southern Mercury,' in reerence to this bonus.- The matter, after considerable discussion, was again referred to the Committee for further consideration.

The Secretary reported that he appeared, as directed, in Court ou Monday last, in support of the objection lodged against the application of" Mr. W. L. Bailey for certificate of residence area to occupy ground situate between Webber and Ley's tail race.-' (about half an acre). The Warden, after hearing and considering the objection by the Association, said that he would like, before deciding the matter, to obtain further information as to the grouud in question being legally reserved for mining purposes, and adjourned the case sine die, Mr. Clarke said that he thought great credit was clue to the 'Mount Ida Chronicle '- for the articles which had recently appeared in that paper in reference to the amount, of revenue derived from the Goldfields, and the unjust taxation imposed upou the miners. That industry in Otago was the greatest source of revenue, •and, in return, received the lea&t consideration at the hands -61" all Governments. The articles referred to had clearly proved the fact. The miners were subject to a special tax of £5 per head, and are actually bearing a taxation of £ls per man. Under the circumstances it was to be regretted that the miners did not see the importance, or take suliicient interest in. these associations, f i o doubt, by well organised and united action at elections they would soon be tnaliled to bring such pressure to bear upon the Legislature which would remedy some of the many grievances shown to exist,on the Goldfields. The next important industry to bo fostered and encouraged was ygriculture. - Everyfacility should, of course, be given to induce people to settle upon the land in the neighborhood of Gojdfields, and mining and agriculture should go hand in hand. Tlio whole Province was, no doubt, more or loss auriferous, but; the surface soil was frequently of ten times more value than all the gold below ; and, if laid waste by the miner, without good proof of its value, would operate injuriously, to every interest. The late Goldfields Secretary, on the occasion of laying the foundation stone of the Dew Town Hall, made the following apt quotation, which he thought, was taken from the Deserted Village : 111 fares tho lnnrl, to ha stoning ills a prey, When sheep occumulftle and men decay ; Shpphercls n.nd squatters may flourish and may fade, The laws have made them and the law can innl;c ; But a bold pisaniry, their country's pride, When once destroyed cun never be supplied The Chairman concurred in the remarks of the last.speaker, and said that he had read, with considerable interest the several articles in reference to the revenue returns, and considered that the miners throughout the Province■ wore greatly indebted to the Editor of the ' Mount Ida Chronicle' for the care and trouble he had 1 ji V en to ventilate the important subject. He believed it was the only paper thathad thoroughly gone into and grappled with the question of Goldfields taxation, and the incts shown were startling. L was certainly to him a matter of surprise !h«t the miners gciii'i aily did not exhibit, genoially a greater in I crest in their affairby more liberally supporting their associations, -.<hich, if properly worked, would.

soon exercise important iniluouce in tha country. Messrs. Moore and. Webber made some remarks "as to the difficulty of inducing miners to subscribe liberally, although they professed to take great interest, in their proceedings. The Secretary, as was intimated at last meeting,, tendered his resignation, which, .after some consideration, was accepted with regret. Mr. Clarke sugges ted that Mr." Shannon be requeued to act as Secretary, at a fixed salary of £6 per year. He thought it was unreasonable to expect any man to give his time and attention for the interest of a large and important section of the community without some compensation for his trouble.

Mr. Shannon at first declined to accept the duties, but afterwards was prevailed upon to take office till the next general meeting in February next, when the question of payment could be'discussed. Hugh Gillespie sent in an account for. £1 10s., for prospecting ground (by direction of the Committee) in the occupaMr. Wilson. Referred to Mr! Wjjfon to pay. Two small accounts were pitied for payment, which left in the hands of the Treasurer a balance of £2 17s. 4d. This sum it was agreed should go towards the assjj&ment levied by the Central Associatiojip The usual votei?RJ Mr. Busch terminated the proceedings.