CORRESPONDENCE

Wairoa Bell, Volume V, Issue 217, 29 September 1893, Page 5

CORRESPONDENCE

[Tho editor is not responsible for opinions expressed by correspondents.] XO THE EDITOR. Sir, —I have a conundrum that I would like to put to your readers. By whom was the Committee elected that call themselves the North Auckland Gum diggers’ Parliamentary Elections Committee, with T. Somers as Chairman, and that failure, named E. IT. Fail as secretary It smells very strong of Dogerville, but of course we can account for the high smell when Somers is on. However let us hope this summer will be better than the one we had when three ehaps were riding about drunk trying to form a Gumdiggers’ Union. Hoping your readers will not mistake Dogerville for Mr Dargaville.—l am etc.,

A GUMDIGGEK OF MOBE THAW 15 YEARS STANDING.

(To the Editor)

Sir, —Will you kindly permit me through the columns of your paper t* emphatically contradict some false statements and insinuations published in Mr Dargaville’s paper, in reference to Mr Trounson’s (one of the candidate! for the Bay of Islands Electorate) connection with Mitchelson Bros. I have been o* the lease, and in the vicinity ever sinee Mr Trounson came to reside in the district, and I have never seen anything that would leave the impression that Mr Trounson was in any way connected in business, with JMessrs Micchelson Bros. I will mention an instance that came under my own observation that will prove that there could be no connection between them. The Bush camp situated on the lease boundary is occupied by twenty or more diggers, and is the private property of Mr Trounson. A ranger is employed by the firm of Mitehelson Bros, almost solely for the purpose of keeping these men (who are at perfect liberty to deal where they like) from trespassing. Mr Trounson receives no remuneration in any shape whatever, in fact there were men there for months who did not know that they were digging on private property. With regard to the insinuation contained in ©ne of Mr Dargaville’s paragraphs on wages, to the affect “ that Mr Trounson was in the same beat aa Monk and others, who thought that 3/6 for married and 2/6 for single mem per day was ample remuneration.’ I, from persoaal knowledge of the gentleman, am well aware that far from him being an apgresser of the working man he has been quite? the opposite, always helping them whenever he could, and he has never paid less than Is per hour, for work such as bush felling, draining, etc, and I know for a positive fact, which can be corroborated by many others in the district that he has refused to accept low tenders for bush felling and Kauri bush work, both from Europeans and Maories. —I am, Sir, G. Burke, Gumdigger, Maropiu.

GUMDIGGERS’ EXECUTIVE GO MMITTEE. f , . (To the Editor.) Sir, —I am instructed by the above committee to send to your valuable paper the true position of the elected Gumdiggers’ Executive Committee. Having bean elected by a large public meeting, we, the Committee, consider that the public should know the truth, and not be misled by a paragraph of lies like what was seen in the Dargaville Northern Advertiser on Friday last, September 22nd. The Committee was elected on Saturday July 2nd to petition Parliament against the influx of Austrians and other aliens, and likewise against the truck system. This the Committee have done after a considerable amount of trouble and expense. Finding that our petition had not been successful, through insufficient support from, the most Northern members in particular, the Committee felt that the gumdigging community was not represented; and so decided to put it to the test and know from the diggers themselves what the feeling is on this very serious question. A public meeting was accordingly held in. Mr Corcoran’s Hall, Dargaville, on Saturday Sept. 2nd, to present to the public the report of the work done re petition ; and to elect a new committee to take such steps as will best further the interests of the gumdiggers in the forthcoming election. The Committee elected at the first public meeting on Saturday July 22nd was re-elected unanimously by the public meeting on Saturday Sept. 2nd, and met in committee immediately after the public meeting. The Committee then decided that they would bring forward a gumdigger to contest the Bay of Islands seat in the forthcoming election if guaranteed sufficient support financially and otherwise from the electors. The Committe again met on Saturday SepL 16th, twelve members being present. After the minutes had been read and confirmed, and correspondence received and read, it was proposed by Mr Hume and seconded by Mr Ellis, that the Chairman. Mr William Fitzpatrick, be declared a candidate for the Bay of Islands seat, provided sufficient support was received financially and otherwise. This was carried by a majority of nine to three. It was proposed as an amendment by Mr Somers, and seconded by Mr Mills, that a poll be taken of all the gum camps in the Bay of Islands electorate to see what digger they would support. Mr Ellis said that such a thing was absurd, as to take a poll of an extensive electorate like the Bay of Islands would cost as much as the general election. The amendment being put to the meeting was lest by 10 to 3. The Chairman then said he would like to see all members of the committee work unanimously, as the Committee was elected to take united action in best furthering the interests of all diggers, and thereupon the following members resigned :—Messrs T. Somers, R. Mills, D Tidy, and Carroll. The Committee met again in Mr Ellis’ House, Dargaville, on Saturday, Sept. 22nd, ten members being present. The minutes were read and confirmed, and correspondence received and read. Proposed by Mr Gardner, seconde 1 by Mr Hall, that the services of Mr E. H. Fail as Hon. Secretary and Treasurer be dispensed with: carried unanimously. Proposed by Mr Meagher, seconded by Mr O’Connor, that Mr Ellis be appointed Secretary : carried unanimously. Proposed by Mr Gardner, seconded by Mr Hume, that letters be sent to all northern papers explaining the true position of the Committee. The Committee then decided to meet every Saturday night, and to have a,'general meeting of the Committee every two weeks. Signed, E. R. Ellis, Secretary Gumdiggers’ Executive Committee,Dargaville. The Committee are how much stronger than ever as those who are on it now are working honestly for the welfare of the working class.—-E.R.E.