PUBLIC MEETING at WAITAHUNA.

Tuapeka Times, Volume I, Issue 2, 22 February 1868, Page 3

PUBLIC MEETING at WAITAHUNA.

A public meeting was held in the Schoolroom, Waitahuna, on the evening of the 19th instant, when Mr. Heath, one of the candidates for the gold fields miners' delegation addressed a crowded meeting, expressing his views. Mr. Mogarfch occupied the chair, and at once introduced Mr. Heath to speak for himself. On rising, Mr. Heath said th,V; he had come forward at the wish of numerous miners to stand as a candidate at the coming election, and he would simply state what ho considered a few of the grievances of the miners, and 'express his views on mining matters generally. Ho believed the object of the conference was a good one, and one tending in the i % ight direction. At the present time the goldfields had no proper regulations, and it was almost impossible for the Wardens or the miners to decide upon them. There wag a confusion existed, from the imperfect knowledge of all parties as to how far the Bye-laws affected the original Act. He stated that ho had represented Waitahuna on several occasions on mining matters. He was appointed delegate on behalf of the miners on the Agricultural Lease qiiestion, and on His Honor the Superintendent's visit he introduced to His Honor about sixty miners and presented a petition on their behalf with reference to a water scheme. He would state his views in a few words. He should oppose any miner having Bis miner's rights in instances where gullies and new ground were taken up, but not in extended or lease claims. He would endeavor to advocate an alteration in the mode of jtaking up water rights, and was entirely/ opposed to the five shilling registration fee upon water races, as it tended to injure the prospects of th~ miners. He could not conceive why th miners should have to pay more for heai water than for tail water. He would ad vocate an alteration in the size of claims Believed the £5 registration system to hi bad, and if returned would endeavor ti introduce a system by which four mci could take up an acre upon two ahil lings and sixpence registration. Witl reference to extended claims, he was in favor of reducing the number of men, making an allowance for water-wheels and horses, in the number of men to be put upon the claim. In all cases of dispute* or damage, he was in favor of assessors, believing that to be the only practical mod-.- of settling them ; and should he be returned, he would further endeavor to introduce a system of a nominal fee to be paid to those assessors. He believed that no candidate could come forward and tell each particular subdistrict what its requirements were, the district being ton large. He was entirely opposed to the Warden having too much discretionary power in cases where the practical miner was required ; but would not on that account endeavor to bring forward any measure tending to reduce the efficient working of the Wardens' Office. He was in favor of mining centres, and any district which could raise 100 votes by petition to send a representative. Should he have the honor to be returned, he would not advoca'e altogether views of his own, but those views which best suited each particular district. Mr. Heath, on resuming his seat, was asked several questions, which in each case appeared to be answered to the satisfaction of the meeting. Mr. M'Brbarty proposed " That Mr. Heath was a fit and proper person to represent them at the Conference ; " this motion xvas seconded by Mr. Pcrdt, and earned. The usual vote of thanks to the Chairman closed the meeting.