THE Thames Guardian AND MINING RECORD. FRIDAY, MARCH 22, 1872.

Thames Guardian and Mining Record, Volume I, Issue 141, 22 March 1872, Page 2

THE Thames Guardian AND MINING RECORD. FRIDAY, MARCH 22, 1872.

The mooting's of the Miners’ Accident llelief Committee Inive been fixed on

rather unfortunate days on the last two occasions. On Monday week, the day day of the races, there was not a quorum, and the meeting was adjourned until yesterday, when the same tiling again happened: the cause being no doubt the counter attraction of the Mechanics’ Institute soiree. It is intended, we are informed, to call the next meeting for Monday next, and we do hope on that occasion there will be a sufficient number present to go to business, and arrange the details preparatory to setting the thing going. When once it is fairly started we have no doubt, if properly managed, it will become a great success. -V good deal will depend upon choosing a good Executive. If proper men are s lected, the fewer the better, for it is a bad practice to filter authority in these matters more than can be helped; but at the same time it will be necessary to appoint those in whom the Miners, as a body, have confidence. The advisability of setting this matter alloat with as little delay as possible lias been already

pointed out in our columns on more than one occasion, and it is unnecessary again to repeat the arguments made use of. They have been fuliy endorsed by a large majority at the recent public meeting when the committee was appointed. In all these matters, however, it is so much to he desired that the iron should he struck while hot instead of allowing it to cool, that we trust the members of the commute wiil take it upon themselves to ensure a quorum next Monday. The matter is really one of vast importance to the field, it has the approval of a large majority, and ought not to be postponed. Even the small number who are opposed to it will become converts when they see the affair in thorough good working order, but if this is to he put off from day to day it will naturally add strength to their views of the question. We should he truly sorry to see the movement lapse through apathy or neglect. Whoever convenes the meetings for the future should endeavour to choose a day which wiil suit the general convenience. Twice this, the first and most important meeting, at which details are to be arranged which will affect the whole working, and without which the fund cannot be set. going, has been adjourned for want of a quorum. The next is the third,and we hope will he the last time of asking if there are a sufficient number of the committee present to proceed with the work. There certainly was ' some excuse last night, though we hardly think a very adequate one, for if the meeting had been held punctually there would have be en time to have done a considerable amount of business, and gone to the soiree afterwards. A great deal of business can be done in lialf-an-hour wlioie people are determined to do business, and not to have time wasted ia talk. We look forward to a more auspicious state of things on Monday, and hope to see the Thames Miners’ Accident Ilclief Fund at once started. The committee-owe it to the public who elected them to carry out the trust so confided to them immediately. Who can toil what day may bring another sad accident, and find the sufferers without means of support for their wives and families, except by the humiliating process of appealing to the public purse. Instead of being dependent on charity in such cases, a miner ought to know and feel that there is a fund provided upon which he can draw in case of accident, as a matter of right. The public of the Thames, having assented to this, have resolved that such a land should be established, and have appointed a committee to carry out the object in view. Two committee meetings have been called to arrange the details ; both have lapsed for want of a quorum. This is hardly very creditable to the committee, and we trust they will take care that the next meeting does not fall to the ground in the same way.