NEW GOLD MINING BILL.

Tuapeka Times, Volume V, Issue 239, 29 August 1872, Page 5

NEW GOLD MINING BILL.

PUBLIC MEETING AT COGHILLS' BRIDGE HOTEL, HAVELOCK. A largely attended meeting, convened by Mr. Moggath, was held at Coghills' Bridge Hotel, Havelock, on Monday Aug. 26th., to consider |the Goidfields BUI now before the Assembly. Mr. Tanton occupied the chair. After a few explanations by Mr. Moggath on the subject of convening the meeting, Mr. G. F. C. Browne, M.P.C. for the Waitahuna \district, rose to propose the first resolution. Before doing so, he referred at some length to the many objectionable clauses in the bill, clearly demonstrating that, if the obnoxious measure became law, it would check mining enterprise and greatly obstruct agricultural settlement, as the Otago Waste Lands Act, 1872, which provides for the taking up of land on a system of deferred payments, would become a dead letter. In referring to the first schedule of the new Bill, he said clause fourteen of the Goldfields Act, 1866, gave the Governor power to make regulations for depasturing 3tock on the goidfields, and to regulate the number of cattle and horses to be run on such lands by holders of miners' rights and others, but the new bill was silent on the svbject ; while the Otago Waste Lands Act, 1872, provides that miners, business license holders, and others shall be allowed to depasture a limited number of stock on the goidfields. Clause 36 of the Goldfields Act, 1866, provides that at any time after the granting of an agricultural lease the Governor can, in the event of the ground proving auriferous, determine the lease ; but this can only be done by paying compensation to the lessee for the whole of the lease. The Ctago Waste Lands Act, 1872, remedies this evil, and enables the Government to resume possession of any part or portion of an agricultural lease, the lessee receiving compensation only to the extent of the ground so taken. This he considered a wise provision in the Act, and one which made him desirous of seeing no impediment placed in the way of the Act becoming law. He concluded by proposing the following resolution : — " That it is the opinion of this meeting that the Goldfields Bill now before the Assembly" will, if it becomes law, tend to retard the mining operations throughtout the province, especially if the following clauses remain part of the Bill : Clauses 13 to 17, clauses 81 and 83, clause 87, sub-section 3, clauses 96, 97, 126, 137, 149, 186, and 21 8. And it is further of the opinion that clauses 33 to 40 of the Goldfields Act, 1866, should be repeated, so as- to allow of the Otago Waste Act, 3872, being administered on the goldfields ; and that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to J. C. Brown, Esq., M.H.R., Wellington." Mr. C. Hickey, M.P.C, .seconded the motion, and condemned the clauses referred to by the previous speaker. Mr. Moggath, in supporting the motion, said that, if the bill becamelaw, he thought it would have the effect of driving the miners out of the province. Mr. Trantor disapproved of the bill, and pointed out that under clause 23 it would be impossible for a man to leave his share unrepresented for one day, however satisfactory such an arrangement would prove to himself and mates. The motion was put, and carried unanimously. Mr. Moggath, in moving the second resolution, said that, in the event of Mr. J, C. Brown being unable to effect the alterations as desired by the meeting, and suggested by the clauses referred to, it would be necessary to take some further steps to prevent, if possible, this iniquitous measure becoming law. He would therefore move — "That it is the opinion of this meeting that if J. C. Brown, Esq., M.H.R., be unable to prevent the passing of he clauses referred to in the foregoing resolution, a petition should be forwarded to the Governor, requesting him to withhold his assent to the bill until such time as an expression of opinion can be obtained from the various mining districts." Mr. J. Smith seconded the motion, which was put and carried.

Mr. Heath moved, "That this meeting seeks the co-operation of the whole of the goldfields, against the passing of the bill, and also condemns the conduct of Messrs. Shepherd and Mervyn, the two goidfields members who are reported to have spoken favourably of the bill and to have supported the second reading." Mr. Heath said that the miners were heavily enough taxed already, but that the new bill would add considerably to their burdens. He hoped that the fact of the bill being before the Assembly would, through the medium of the press, become widely known throughout the go'dlie'ds, and that the miners would be up and stirring, and use every lawful means to prevent the bill becoming law. He commented on the conduct of Messrs. Shepherd and Mervyu, and said the former gentleman had openly acknowledged having, on one occasion, deluded his constituents. He hoped his constituents would not allow him to delude them again, but that they would treat him as he deserved to be treated for his ahamef ul conduct in supporting so iniquitous a measure.

Mr. Coastick seconded the motion. Carried.

Mr. Moggath said he had very great pleasure in proposing, " That this meeting desires to record a vote of thanks to Mr. G. F. C. Browne, M. P. C, for the very great interest evinced by him in all matters affecting his constituents."

Mr. Cairna seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously. Mr. Heath moved, and Mr. Ryan seconded, "That this meeting desires to record a vote of thanks to Mr. 0. Hickey, M. P. C, for attending the meeting." Carried.

A vote of thanks to the Chairman brought the meeting to a close.