MASS DEPUTATION TO THE HONORABLE DONALD REID.

Mount Ida Chronicle, Volume VIII, Issue 416, 22 March 1877, Page 3

MASS DEPUTATION TO THE HONORABLE DONALD REID.

On Tuesday nigltfc the Hon. Donald licit! was requested lo meet the miners at the Town Jial], iN'aseby, in order that the}' miijht urge upon him their views as to tlie urgency of tlu; waterworks being utilised at (lie earliest date. Mr. lleid Jiayinc; liiiulljr consented, about 200 men assembled in the evening nt the Hall. Up"U I lie platform were the Hon. I). Keid, Warden. .llobinsoii, Mr. de Lautoui' M.H.11., Mr. J". Shannon M.C.C.

Mr. Dis LkVTOua, being voted to the chair, said: Mr. Iteid—lt being known that you wore to vim. Nasi;by a strong leeling was expressed by many to lay before you tlie necessity of the water works being promptly completed, and :i definite scheme of management adopted. I advised, the miners to meet you, and state their own case. Eor this purpose this meeting has come übout. No doubt the gentlemen present will be able to make you fully acquainted with their views.

.Mr. Shannon : Mr. Chairman—.Mr. lleid may be sure we are glad to have thi< opportunity of meeting him: It is of very great importance to us that the works should be completed and placed under some management. He thought the County Council would no' undertake lljeso works neither was it from its constitution a suitable body. The delays mi these works had been very greal, and of a very vexatious nature. There was, he thought, no doubUhat a large area of ground was still available for mining in the Alain Gully, En.'crprise, and along the course of the race to Hill's Creek, to last for many years. The amount of land protected was in itself considerable, some fifty-eight claims embracing 123 acres ou ail o!' which heavy revenue had lo be paid for the mere holding. This did not look as if the ground was valueless as some would-be Job's comforters attempted i.o shew, men would not hold on to what was wort!) nothing. The delays weir, however, compelling men to leave. .Many had already left, and many more would still have to go if something was noo done ' i.o cxpedile matters considerably. Mr. Newman also addressed Mr. itcid. lie saw no reason why the works should not bo utilised so far as I hey were ready. That the channel and race would be far better with water running in them than not. Of Course if th re were danger of filling up the channel they could at any time be stopped. No real damage could be none. Prom thirteen years experience of this field lie thought that the management would have to feel iheir way to regulations. _ That no regulations could be framed which -would prove satisfactory for time. Por these reasons he considered a local, board would be 'best adapted to manage and complete the works in the meantime. He .saw no reason why sudi a board should, not be able to manage the channel at once, and (he wmcr so far as it was available, and arrange at what price it should be sold.

Mr. U. Goicdox pointed out (ha!, (he loss o( money had been very great within his own knowledge, as he could show if he had (he opportunity. [Mr. Gordon was interrupted, and did not proceed with his statements as he otherwise would have done, although the Chairman rose to obtain him a hearing.] Mr. iiKio, who was received with cheers, said he did not expect when he arrived in -Naseby to be a>ked 10 attend a mcelintr. AlinosL immediately lie received ;« note ironi Mr. do Lautour, stating thai, a committee of miners had been appointed to wait on him. He did not expect to meet so many. At the same time, as he would have been glad to have met (he few, he was belter pleased to meei the many. (Applause.) He was sure they did not expect him to commit himself in any statement of opinion that nighi. Several matters had, however, been remarked upon by the gentlemen of the committee who had spoken which he might .illude to. As yonr Chairman remarked, the Government were often blamed, sometimes justly, and sometimes unjustly. Ite thought it was one of the huieiions of Government to be blamed. It was true that tlicrac; had been four years in construction. Font years sermed a long time to look forward tn, but it did no: seem so long when you looked back. He was as sorry a*anyone could be that there had been dillieuities, but these were sometimes oi' such a nature (hat even. Governments had to submit io them. The question now was, How were we to get Uio race completed ? —it did not much matter what was the reason of past delays. For thai he had come up. It had been suggested that the works should be managed by a local board. At the same time another genllcmen had s.iid Jiat the County Council was not adopted for management. It would be impossible for one body who was irresponsible to manage, and another who was responsible to have no voio. At the same time, while the Government would be glad of a commit ice of miners to as-n'sfc with advice, Ministers would have to act to the best of their judgment for the interests of the community and the whole Colony. He was surprised to hear the County Council would not take over the works, as he was not sure they would get the chance. The Government expected to get a good, return for the experaiture. There was a comparison made

between the Government and the manager of a private company. Now, no one knew better than their Chairman that there was no comparison. The manager of a com-pany-can do as he likes ; the Government must act according to law—proclamations must be issued, and regulations framed by the legal adviser. The Government was tied down hand and foot. Before tho race could be utilised regulations must bo framed. He had been told that the race was not complete—that carrying races for distribution were needed, and a iluming. He was not prepared to give an opinion. Presuming these works wore required, they were met by this difficulty, that the vote was entirely expended. At the same time, considering the large amount of money expended, which would be lying idle, he thought he might say the Government would not stop short in providing n further supply, even if the law were stretched a little. It had been said the Government would have to frame their regulations as they went along. No doubt that would be so. If the first wore not perfect they would have to be repealed, and others framed. Still he thought regulations could be ready as soon as the works. He was at Naseby to get information, and would be glad to get suggestions and practical advice. He would uot promise to act on these hurriedly, but would deliberate on them himself. The CiiAUtjiAN asked the meeting to join him in thanking Mr. Acid for his attendance. He was sure a great object had been gained in being able to explain to that gentleman the urgency of the works questiou. He still hoped some piactical way might be devised to give larger responsibilities to the Government officers in charge, to follow out the idea thrown out by Mr. Newman, of working, by practical experience, into regulations, and that this might be supplemented by the appointment of a permanent board. He had no doubt Mr. lteid would be able to see a practical way in the direction of their wislics. The Municipality and County would not shirk a fair share of the responsibilities of the scheme, and were quite able to appoint members to a board, jointly with the Government, to provide for management. He would ask vlicm uot to keep Mr. lteid auy longer that night. The meeting then closed.