PUBLIC MEETING AT MR. FRASER'S HOTEL, HAVELOCK.

Tuapeka Times, Volume I, Issue 6, 21 March 1868, Page 3

PUBLIC MEETING AT MR. FRASER'S HOTEL, HAVELOCK.

A public meeting was held on Wednesday, the 18th inst. , at the above Hotel. There were about seventy persons present. J. D. Poison, Esq., was called to the chair, and at once called upon the miners and inhabitants of the district to support their just rights. It appeared that applications for agricultural leases had been received by the Government from several persons, for land in the township ; and he considered that to let the land in that manner was an injustice to the district, after the Government had proclaimed it a reserve for mining purposes. It was evident that some under current had been at work. If the Government had Gazetted

or made it known through one of the local newspapers, every person would have had a chance of making application ; but it was evident, that if one was not a Government official, or a friend, he is kept in the dark. As there were, no doubt, others to address them, he would not occupy more of their time. The Chairman called upon Mr. Heath, who said, that he had a resolution to put to the meeting ; and being a mintr and a supporter of justice and fair play, he would, in as few remarks as possible, state what he considered to be the pith of j the grievance. About nine months ago, the miners, seeing the necessity of getting some reserve proclaimed, applied by deputation to the Superintendent to withhold certain lands from lease ; and a commission being appointed, with delegates from the miners, a boundary was defined, embracing the township of Havelock. He believed that a portion on the south-east side of the bridge might be thrown open ; but not in the manner that it had been done. He knew of several persons, miners living* in the township, who would have taken some up ; but the reply they repeatedly received at the Warden's Court, by the officer there in charge, wa3, in his own words, "Ye canna get that, man ; it's in the township." Had the Government Gazetted, or advertised it through one of the local newspapers? — (A voice : No.) Then the residents had been deprived of a privilege to which they wer&justlyentitled. However, it appeared to him that it was not Jhe people of the district who were to settle on the land. It was land for those who had the best possible means of knowing its exact position ; or their friends. He could go into the question ; but that might be too personal : he would refrain from that. — (Cries of Yes, go on.) Well, if that was the case, it was time the people of the district represented their requirements. He believed the State had enough to pay without supplying men to take up the cream of the country from the miners. It was all very well saying it won't pay ; but he believed a great portion of it would yet be made to pay ; and to lease the township would be a great injustice to the district and the Province. He was of opinion that the space on the soutli-Ocia& side might at once be sold, and return Sr. 1 ) per cent, more than by leasing it, oesides ,the iv j^e to the Government o jbcaitiii^ xt-iay i money, by selling it in small lots of one and two acres Then they would set the miner settling down and making himself a permanent home. He then proposed the following resolution : — ' ' That this meeting protests against the action of the Government, in receiving applications for agricultural leases in the surveyed township of Havelock." Seconded by Mr. James Flett, and carried unanimously. Mr. J. Smith, miner, then proposed, "That this n\eeting is favorable to the sale of the spare portion of the township of Havelock oh the south-east side, in small lots of one and two acres." Seconded by Mr. Purdy, and carried. There was a warm discussion on the last resolution. Mr. George Withers then proposed, " That a committee of five be appointed to draw up a petition to the Government, embodying the above resolutions." Mr. Cairns seconded the resolution., which was carried. The following gentlemen were duly elected as a committee : — Messrs. Cairns, Oudaille, Purdy, Heath, and Flett. A vote of thanks to the Chairman terminated the proceedings of the meeting.