PUBLIC MEETING AT ALEXANDRA.

Mount Ida Chronicle, Volume VII, Issue 390, 1 September 1876, Page 3

PUBLIC MEETING AT ALEXANDRA.

On Saturday, 19th August, a public meeting, convened by our worthy Mayor, took place in the Library Hall for the purpose of taking into consideration the advisability of starting a prospecting Association—this,meeting being the carrying out of promises made by Mr. Samson in his election speech. Mr. Samson being voted to the chair, explained the nature of the meeting, and thought from the dullness of things it was high time that we bestired ourselves, and considered that there was plenty of gold at our very doors, and that it required a little energy on behalf of ourselves to unearth it. He explained that Messrs. Finlay 'and Morris had promised the use of their water race, water wheel, pump, &c, free of charge for the purpose ot prospecting. The Chairman then called on those in attendance for expression of opinions, which was freely indulged in, more particularly by members of the old water race companies, some favoring as a site for prospecting the banks of the Manuherikia Kiver, near Devonshire Cottage,, others the banks of the Molyneux, near the Police Camp. Mr. Theyers also gave the meeting his 13 years experience in -mining, more particularly that portion of itrpassed on the east bank of the Molyneux, near its junction with the Earnscleugh and assured the meeting if they prospected in that vicinity, they would be sure to get payable gold. Mr. Chappie also explained his sentiments, and fully believed that payable gold existed on the main bottom on the banks of the Molyneux, but that it would be expensive work-in getting,at it, which is fully borne out by tne unsuccessful attempts of both the ' Manuherikia and Oven's Companies to bottom their respective paddocks, but felt certain that no good results would follow by prospecting at the rear of his cottage. Mr. M'Eersey also gave his views on the subject, which were very similar to the last speakers. The meeting then merged into a desultory conversation, in which our " local brewer" took a conspicuous part, which resulted in a resolution moved by Mr. Chappie, and seconded by Mr. Simmons, that a Committee from this meeting be elected to take the whole question into consideration—as to site, plant, ways and means, &c, and to report to an adjourned meeting to bo held on the 26th inst., which was carried. The gentlemen elected were Messrs. Samson, Finlay, Theyers, Faucett, Forrest, Allan, Brown, and Terry. A vote of thanks to the chair closed the proceedings.

ADJOTJBNED MEETING. The adjourned meeting took place on the 26th August, 1876. Mr. Samson, being called to the chair, stated that the Committee elected on Saturday last held a meeting on the 21st at Hyan'B Bendigo Hotel, when resolutions were passed, selecting for a site the first claim on the east bank of the Molyncux, between the Police Camp and the Chinese garden, and that Messrs. Finlay and Morris had promised the use of their water race, wheel, and pump, and that he (the Chairman) had written Mr. Fache to know it the Dunstan Flour Mill Company

would give the use of their water wheel for prospecting purposes, but had received no written answer from Mr. Fache, but that gentleman was present and would explain. Mr. Theyers had sent a telegram to Messrs. Eiucaid and M'Queen, to know the price of a centrifugal pump, capable' to lifting 50,000 gallons per minute, but had received no answer. This was all he (the Chairman) had to explain, and was now in the hands of the meeting. Mr. Chappie suggested that nothing had been said about ways and means—a most essential point. Mr. Samson thought that part of the subject had better better be dealt with by the meeting, when Mr. Theyers came to the rescue with some sort of a proposal, which did not take the form of a motion—that a Company should be formed and shares sold at £5 each, and that plant be purchased and placed on the ground, and that labor be employed, to sink a series of paddocks, which found no support with the meeting. Mr. Chappie thought if sufficient money could be got to purchase' an efficient plant and placed on the ground, and, with the assistance of Messrs. Fiulay and Morris's kind offer, miners would be found who would undertake to do the required prospecting—of course been guaranteed the use of* the plant and water for a certain time after striking payable gold, at a certain rent. Mr. M'Kersey explained that he knew of several who would be prepared to work on those terms, but that this was the wrong time of the year for prospecting on the Molyneux, and explained if a plant v. eve obtained and placid n the ground there would be no fear on the score of men to undertake the work. Mr. Chappie then moved that the Committee be thanked for their report, and be asked to continue their exertions, and to further report to a meeting to be held on the 9th September, which was seconded and carried. Mr. Chappie suggested that, as it would take several months before anything could be done in the way of prospecting on the Molyneux, the meeting should direct its attention to a spot on the Manuherikia River known as " The Island," get a tail race constructed so as" to drain the water free off the bottom, and to continue this tail race or drainage race on to the ManorBurn Flat; that an application be made to the Government for say £SOO, to subsidise a sum to be raised by the miners jn the shape of labor—in fact to be carried out on the-saD:e principal as the drainage channel at Blacks, which has been such a great boon to that place. This is considered to be the best laid out £3OO ever voted by the Government for G.oldfields.works. .., Strange to say only one or two in the meeting appeared to help the idea, so it was allowed to fall through. A vote of thanks to the Chair brought the meeting to a close.— Communicated.