DRYBREAD.

Tuapeka Times, Volume VII, Issue 358, 23 May 1874, Page 2

DRYBREAD.

(From our own Correspondent.) May 14. You will have no reason to complain that my effusions of late have been either too numerous or too long; even now I have nothing very startling or important to communicate. A public meeting, attended by most of the miners in the district, was held here about a week ago to consider what steps should be taken in connection with the Maerewhenua pollution case. A petition to the Provincial Council, asking the Government to defend the miners in the case, was laid on the table for signature ; a subscription list, soliciting signatures in aid of the defence fund, was also brought forward. The meeting was unanimously in favor of aasistingln the struggle; but it was deemed politic to await the resuit of the petition to the Council before subscribing funds. The majority of the miners of this district have been members of the Dunstan Mining Association; but a proposition was put to the meeting, seconded and carried, "That, taking into consideration the number of miners in the Drybread and Tinkers district, a separate Association be formed, to be called the Thomson's District Association," which was accordingly done. A' good number of members were enrolled, and a Secretary and Treasurer appointed. "Mr. Hazlett presented a petition from Drybread; praying that a block of land be thrown open for agricultural purposes," so runs the Provincial Council proceedings in the "Guardian," 8th May. Now, I am not an inquisitive individual, but I should like to see how many Drybread' signatures were appended to that petition. I have not, as yet, been able to find one on Drybread who has either seen or signed it. If it has emanated from this quarter, it must surely be a hatter's petition. Blocks of auriferous land are more in our line. A concert and ball in aid of the School funds is to be held on the 20th. As the Clyde Brass Band is to be in attendance, I have no doubt but that a good evening's entertainment will be provided. The weather still continues very dry. The scarcity of water is seriously impeding the operations of the miners in this locality. There are not at present a dozen heads of water working on Drybread ; whereas, with a full supply, there should be at least fifty heads. A good fall of snow would be very acceptable.