PUBLIC MEETING AT CLYDE.

Tuapeka Times, Volume V, Issue 241, 12 September 1872, Page 8

PUBLIC MEETING AT CLYDE.

A public meeting, at the instance of the Dunstan Miners' Assocition, was held at the Clyde Hotel, Clyde, on the evening of the 31st ult. Mr. James Hazlett occupied the chair. The Chairman, in introducing the subject of the meeting, animadverted strongly on the bill, stating that were it to become law, miners would find it almost impossible to live.

Mr. Alexander, Secretary to the Association, reviewed the bill, showing it to be a monstrously unjust measure, and one calculated to destroy the mining interest.

Mr. Sims said if the bill should un» fortunately become law, the miners would be compelled, as in the early days of Victoria, to arm and rise in selfdefence. He could recollct no measure so iniquitous in modern times. He considered it an emanation from his Satanic Majesty. He called upon the press to aid the miners in preventing the passing of the bill. He moved the following resolution : — " That this meeting most emphatically condemns the Gold Mining Bill now before the Assembly, as it would retard and obstruct the development of the mining resources of this colony, and be tyrannical in its operations ; and the enormous additional burden of taxation that is sought to be imposed by it is a monstrous piece of injustice and tyranny ; and this meeting is firmly convinced that if the bill becomes the law of the colony, it will be the cause of making an industrious people, who are loyal and peaceable and well-dis-posed towards the Government, to revolt ; and that this meeting pledges itself to use every legitimate and constitutional means in its power to prevent this political abortion becoming the law of the land."

Mr. Andrew Williamson seconded the motion, which was carried.

Mr. Hastie moved, " That the goldfields members be communicated with, and requested to use their influence to prevent the bill from passing."

Mr. Little seconded the motion, which was carried.

On the motion of Mr. Sims, seconded by Mr. Elliott, it was resolved to memorialise the Governor, in case the bill passed the Legislature to withhold his assent from it.

Mr. Patterson moved, and Mr. Lindsay seconded, a proposition that the meeting had every confidence in Mr. Shepherd, and thanked him for forwarding- copies of *the bill, and hoped he would use his influence against its passage. This brought the proceedings to a close.