UPPER TARARU.

Thames Guardian and Mining Record, Volume I, Issue 46, 29 November 1871, Page 3

UPPER TARARU.

A meeting of miners, traders, and others interested in opening np the Tararu district by the formation of a road, was held at the Governor Bowen Hotel, last evening. There was a good attendance. Mr. A. B. Bain in the chair.

The Chairman, having read the advertisement convening the meeting, said the object of the meeting was to press forward the opening of the Upper Tararu country, so • that the mines could be properly worked. He was glad to see so good attendance of business men and miners, as it Avas a questions in which the trade and commerce of the place were deeply concerned, The subject had been frequently brought under the notice of the Government, and promises had been made of assistance, hut these promises had not been fulfilled. So long as there was only a horse track the Upper Tararu country Avould boumvorked. Mr Salmon briefly proposed the following resolution : That in the opinion of this meeting the present languishing condition of the Upper Tararu district, its slow progress in spite of the proved payable character of its reefs, urgently calls for special and immediate action to remove the obstructions Avhicli bar its advancement.

The mover observed that Mr Sheehan, the Gold Field Secretary, had been spoken to on this subject, and he had given most favorable replies; and if they all united to impress upon the Government the necessity of something being done, lie believe they Avould ho successful. There could be no doubt that very many of the claims at the Upper Tararu were payable. Mr James Garvey seconded the resolution, which Avas put and carried unanimously. Mr Hunter proposed the following resolution Avithout comment : That easy means of communication between said district nnd the beach is an imperative necessity to its progress, and l>y opening the hack country Avould, moreover, encourage mining, extend trade, and he of general benefit to the community.

Mr J. llonsr.nuGii seconded the resolution, saying that the Tararu district was one of the best on the whole field, but last winter it was quite inaccessible, and, but for a small track that was made to carry up supplies, the miners would have been in danger of starvation. It was hard to get good miners to work there at all, and the result was that either higher wages had to be paid or inferior labor employed. There was no selfishness in this matter, or at all events, very little, as the opening of this new district would be of immense public benefit, lie trusted that the outside public would support the movement to a man, for it was calculated to be of the greatest benefit. The Superintendent had stated that the wealth of certain portions of the district had been greatly exaggerated, and that some tramways which had been made had not been payable: but there could be no doubt of the richness of the Tararu country, and he trusted the goldfields members and the public at large would cordially support the object which the meeting had in view. The resolution was then put and carMr. A Binnet moved the next resolution, which was as follows : That the horse track in process of formation is totally inadequate to the requirements

of the district, and not likely to he of permanent, benefit.

The mover observed that the meeting was asking for nothing more than it was entitled to get. This portion of the district had been long neglected, and it was time that something was done. He had never been at a place where miners were so heavily taxed, and got so little for it, as on the Thames.

Mr. Hennelly seconded the resolution, which was put and carried. The Chairman then read the following memorial.

To the Honorable the Provincial Council of Auckland in Council assembled.

The humble petition of the inhabitants of the Thames Goldfield sheweth—--Ist. That an extensive and payable quartz goldfield exists in the Upper Tararu district. 2nd. That the productive progress in said goldfield cannot be made, owing to the absence of machinery and want of easy means of communication with the more settled districts. 3rd. That at present there is no way of getting up the requisite machinery, except at exclusive ruinous cost. 4th. That the horse track in process of formation is totally inadequate to the requirements of the district, and not likely to he of permanent benefit. Your petitioners therefore pray that such an appropriation of money may be made during the present session, as will remove the obstruction tor progress under which your petitioners at present labor, and by means of the formation of a proper road or way, advanse the interest of Upper Tararu, and the community generally, and your petitioners as in duty hound will ever pray, &c. Signed in name and by appointment at a meeting by A. B. Bain, Chairman.

Mr McGinstry moved that the above memorial to the Provincial Council as read be adopted, and signedhy the chairman on behalf of the meeting; and that the following be appointed a committee, to furnish all necessary information, to place the memorial in the hands of one of the goldfield members for presentation to the Council, and, generally, to take all other steps which they may deem necessary to cany out the object in view: —Messrs Binncy, Bain, Hunter, Carfrae, and McGinstry. The mover said he understood the memorial would be entrusted to Mr Jas. Mackay, jun., M.P.C.,for presentation to the Council, and lie did not think it could he placed in better hands. He hoped it would he supported by the goldfield members and by the Council generally. lie believed the Government would soon be recouped for the expense which would he incurred.

Mr Wells seconded the resolution, observing that there was a difference of opinion outside whether a passable road or a continuation of the present “ tinpot ” tramway would be best; hut he himself thought there could he no doubt upon the subject. The tramway charges lie thought were far too high. Mr. Horsbuegii observed that at present all that was asked was for the Government to place a sum of money on the estimates to assist in opening up the district. Ho thought the price charged for traffic on the tramway was certainly far too great. He thought it would he better to waive for the present the discussion of the relative merits of tramway or road.

A vote of thanks to the chairman terminated the proceedings.