PUMPING ASSOCIATION.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 1987, 18 May 1875, Page 2

PUMPING ASSOCIATION.

A meeting convened by circular of Mine Managers and other gentleman interested in the goldfield was hold at the Governor Bowen Hotel last night, to take into consideration the best steps to take owing to the threatened stoppage of the Government Grant in aid of the deep drainage scheme. There were present Messrs Wm, Eowe, G-ibbons, Hall, Sims, Dunlop, Goldsworfchy, Kichards, Comer, Crawford, McDohal d,' Walker, Sbuter, Dewar, Kennan, McCullough, Benney, Macky, Black, Sully, Webb, Hicks and Watson. Wm. Howe was called upon to take the chair.

The Chairman said, in opening the business of the meeting, that the subject about which they had met was of so much importance that it was necessary some united action should be taken, therefore he had called the present meeting. He referred to the many deputations and meetings that had been held many.months ago respecting the matter of deep drainage, of which all present were as well acquainted as he was. He understood at the time tho loan was granted ibr assistiug tae Pumping Associationthat the security of the ? Province was taken for the money advanced. However, lately some hitch had occurred which threatened the stoppage of the money. Ffe considered that the Province, as a whole, was as much interested in the prosperity of the goldfield as were the people of the Thames. He thought that some influence should be.brought to bear on the Superintendent and the Council, so that no stoppage should take place in the works of the Pumping Association.

Mr Sims said he thought that the Star had pufc the matter very clearly before the public in its leading article of that evening. (Mr Sims read extracts from the Star giving portions of the report of Mr Vogel's remarks to a j deputation on the subject at which the late Superintendent was present; and also Mr Williamson's remarks to another deputation on the matter with the concluding comments on the question.) The speaker remarked that <he money had been paid into the Provincial fund; and after the accounts had been certified by the Provincial Engineer the money had been paid, so that from the first it was thoroughly understood thatit was a charge against the government account. Mr Sims said it was desirable that the remainder of the grant should be obtained, as there had been only about £21,000 expected, There was an impression abroad that-the country members in the Provincial Council would oppose the grant, when the discussion came over the question, and therefore it was desirable that every means should be taken to strengthen the hands of their own members, who would support the voting of the money. Mr Watson said he understood that a mortgage had been given over the various plants and mines ; and if it was a charge against the Province, why should the General Government have a loan on these various companies. Mr Dewar could no doubt say if the Tookey mine had been given ; Captain Bichards the Caledonian, and Mr Black the Fumping Association.

The Chairman said from the. correspondence it seemed that the security had been given to the General Government. He felt that at the present they were not in a position to discuss the matter for want of the necessary information; suggested that a sub-committee be formed to obtain all ''information, on the subject and report at a future date. : . Mr McGullpugh. said there was nb use in discussing the question as to whether the Province ought'to accept the liability or not; the question for the meeting to consider was the best means of getting the money for the carrying "on of the ; worts. Dr Pollen had said the province was responsible, and there the matter would have to rest until the meeting of the General Assembly, so that jthe only and proper steps to take were to strengthen the hands of their members in the Council by every means in their power, and for that purpose he proposed that a memorial be drawn up showing the urgent necessity there was for the money being voted to enable the pumping works to be carried on, and the disastrous effects, the stoppage of such works would have on the goldfield. The memorial would be a' strong argument in the hands of their members in the Council, and would show the Thames people were in earnest about the matter. Captain Richards said he supposed from the first the loan had been granted as any other loan to the province to be disbursed in any way it was thought proper. He would support the Chairman that a committee be formed to draw up a report to be laid before another meeting, so that they might know the basis to draw up their memorial. " ' r: "

Mr Dewar said he knew the security had been given, but to whom he knew not. He seconded Mr Richards' proposition. -'■ Mr Watson said the moneys-was - lying in the hands of the Provincial Goverment and could only be used by them. ; ; Captain Bichards then proposed the following committee with power to add to their number, Messrs. Black, Dewar, Bichards, Kennan, Sims, Sully, Hicks, Comer, and McDonald, with Mr Webb as secretary; seconded by Mr Gibbons and carried.

A meeting of the Committee was arranged for 10 o'clock next morning at the Governor Bowen Hotel, and if the Committee thought it necessary they were authorised to send one or two of their number to Auckland to -collect necessary information. After a vote of thanks to the chair the meeting broke up.