MEETING OF MINERS AT EVANS

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 174, 8 June 1871, Page 5

MEETING OF MINERS AT EVANS

A meeting of minors, for the purpose of protesting against certain land in Tuapeka West beiti* granted to Mr JoLn Maclean as an agricultural leasehold, was held in Evans'. Provincial Hotel, Evans Flat, on Thursday evening last, Mr. Farther Ivhig in the chair. It appears thaf the laud in question is known by the min^is ->f th,> district to be highly auriferous, and capable of affording profitable einployiiii-ni, to a large number of men, who \\i iv piohibifed from working upon it. Th? Cliaim an stated the object for which the inretint; had been convened, and culled upon Mr. Duvls to address rhein.

Mr. Davis stated that he had received an intimation from Mr. J. Maclean to the effect that iiu would not be allowed to •niue on section 9, block 111., Tuapeka West, the said land being held under .igricnltural lease. Knowing the ground to be highly auriferous, and being de-sir-ms of continuing to work upon it, he had forwarded a letter to Mr. Ritchie, one of the mining de egates, asking him lo lay tho matter bjf«.-re the Government, and request them to grant him (Mr. Davis) authority to mine on the disputed ground. In reply, Mr. Ritchie stated that he and Mr. Mouat would endeavour to obtain the necessary authority. Mr. Davis said that knowing energetic action on the part of the miners was nece&sary to secure the auriferous land of the district from the monopoly of the squatter and agriculturist, he had thought it well to convene a public meeting, so as to give all who had any interest in the matter an opportunity of expressing their opinions, and devising means by which they could prevent an immense quantity of good golden ground from slipping out of their hands. lie was glad to sep the meeting so well attended, and hoped the results of their deliberation would be that the Government would concede to them that privilege which was theirs by right. After considerable discussion, Mr. J. C. Love moved, " That a committee be formed, consisting of Messrs. Davis, Faryher, and the mover, to draw up a petition to the Superintendent, praying him to cancel the lease of section 9, block 111,, Tuapoka West, at present occupied by Mr. John Maclean." Mr. John Roberts said not only should the lease of section 9 be cancelled, but the entire area granted as an agricultural lease, all of which was good payable ground, should be cancelled. He would therefore move, as an amendment, "That the secretary be instructed to draw up a memorial to he Superintendent, praying that the pre-emptive right, comprising 480 acres, being sections 6, 28, 29, 30, 34, and 45, block 111., Tuapeka West, applied for by Mr. John Maclean, bo cancelled.'' Seconded by Mr. Warren and carried unanimously. It was proposed by Mr. Drapper, " That the petition be forwarded to Mr. J. C. Brown, M.P.C.. M.11.11., for presentation to the Superintendent." Seconded by Mr. Roberts, and carried. After some further discussion, a vote of thanks to the chair closed the proceedings. The following petition has been drawn up, and numerously signed by the miners of the district. To his Honour James Macandrew, Esquire, Superintendent of Otago. May it please your Honour, i The petition of the undersigned miners, residents of the Tuapeka district, humbly sheweth--That of late years large blocks of the auriferous lands of this district have been occupied ostensibly for agricultural purposes, to the pecuniary loss of your petitioners, who, if they wish to prosecute their calling on such lands, must pay a very high compensation to the leaseholder. In some cases the compensation demanded is such as to amount to a distinct denial on the part of the leaseholder. Your petitioners regret being compelled, in their own interest, to bring the subject before your Ronom's notice; but at the same tiuie beg to draw your Honour's attention to the application of Mr. John Maclean, in October last, for ar agricultural lease of sections 6, 28, 29, 30, 34, and 45, Tuapeka West, and trust that as the land above specified is highly auriferous, your Honour will be pleased to cancel the lease of game. And your petitioners will ever pray, &c,