THE TOWN RESERVE.

West Coast Times, Issue 64, 31 October 1865, Page 2

THE TOWN RESERVE.

INDIGNATION MEETING.

A meeting that might truly bo called a " monster " one was held in Harding's Corinthian Hall on Saturday afternoon, convened by advertisement to pro'est against the arbitrary proceedings of the Warden in imprisoning two men for mining on tho Town Reserve, near the Cemetery. Long before the hour appointed for the meeting (4 o'clock) the large hall was packed to suffocation, the crowd filling up thobar and extending even across tho street outsido Mr R, Reeves was unanimously called to the chair. Mr Prossor read the first resolution, as follows :— "That this meeting condemns the decision of Mr Warden Schaw in tho case of tho two miners imprisoned for disobeying orders in reference to mining within tho limits of this township ; and that steps bo taken to remedy this abuso." The speaker said that though ho had grout pleasure in forwarding the intoresls of the miner, ho should havo been better pleased had this resolution been proposed by a miner ; but the matter was one which affected tho interests of every man on tho West Coast, and ho considered the conduct of the authorities desorving of tho greatest censure in not allowing men to dig wherever gold could bo obtained, whether in or out of the (own, especially when they are willing to restoro the ground to its original condition after having extracted the gold. Until the ground was' cleared it was suitable for neither building nor agricultural purposes, and as tho miners must clear the ground before working, their labours were a positive benefit by making the land more valuable. lie would not say that Mr Schaw had not dono his duty, but he would say that ho had fulfilled it with a degico of harshness deserving of blame. (Cheers.) He hail no doubt the power to give those men 24 hours' imprisonment ; but was that course discreet or just? He deprecated any unconstitutional measures, for ho believed if tho miners and business people of Hokitika combined they could remedy the evil of which they now had so much reason to complain. (Cheers.) Mr. Palmer seconded the resolution. Mr. M'Carthy bitterly complained of the injustice with which tho imprisoned men had been treated. The Canterbury Government had offered £2000 reward in tho first place, to induce mon to prospect tho country and find a goldfield, and now wished to prevent them digging because they had not a business license as well as a miner's right. Ho also alluded to the management of the Hospital, and quoi«l the instance where Mr. Salo had called an aprlicant for relief " a loafer." If the Government; would not manage tho institution properly, why not hand it over to those who would ? The speaker was loudly cheered, and three terrific groans were given for Mr. Silo. Mr. James White, in . stating that the matter which was now under their notice concerned every one equally, said that all had coma to tho West Coast for <me purpose — to better their condition ; and every man had someone dependent upon his exertions, and looking to him for sup port (cheers) The facts of tho case with regard to the ground were these : Anderson and party had been prospecting it for some six weeks back, and marked out a claim on the 6th October, having found somo ground that, with proper appliances would pay fair wages. Another party subsequently marked out a claim, and applied for a prospecting claim, when it was found that tboy were working on the township reserve, and a notice was posted, bearing no signaturo, warning them not to work. There were r.o pegs or surveyors' marks to let the minors know they were within tho town boundary, and tho only track that was cut was used for the purpose of dragging two miners to tho C.imp. The ground was sure to be dug on at some timo, and who had the most right to dig there — tho first party or tho speculator w ho might buy the gioimd ? Were they to know, indeed, whether tho Commissioner himself might not apply for tho ground under a business licence. The first question Mr Warden Schaw asked the two men w«s "have you a business liconco?" No. "Then what sent you thero ?" A business licence does not entitle a man to mine for gold- -(A voice—" They want money, though, and that's a good way to raise it") — and so, because they could not pay the fino they were cast into gaol — imprisoned for finding gold within the town. If it was for the welfare of Hokilikn that the ground should be left unworkedi ho would willingly submit, but tho roverso is the case, nnd ho would put it to tho meoting whether tho ground should be worked or not (shouts of "worked, of course.") A notice of appeal had been given in connexion with the ease in question ; and though it would cost money they hoped to carry it through, and if necessary petition the General Government. (A voice— " Let the men go to work — suro thoy can't put us all in gaol," and cheers). When ho (the speaker) saw tho Warden on Friday, ho read from nn Act to this effect — that no matter whera gold may be found, tho Government could sond a party of sm veyors on tho ground and make it into a township, if they chose. If such power ns that was allowed, it wiw time tho miners all left. Ho had heard decisions given by the Wardens hero that would raise a revolution in any other placo. Ho had scon in Victoria men surround a warden to save him from maltreatment, nnd had assisted himself to do so, but he doubted if »ucli protection would bogivou them hero (cheers). The paper had only hitherto taken rotice of the matter, but it was timo they took it hand themselves 5 and ho was sure tho Government would not allow the wardens to oppress them, (clieers). In answer to a question from Mr. Prosser. Mr. White said that Mr. Schaw had toldf them to take out business licenses. The resolution was then put aud enthusiastically canied. Mr. Shepherd, whowas received with applause, said ho was known to tho majority of )I)oro prosent, and had often pleaded their causo, and would do so again. Ho blamed tho conduct of tho authorities in preventing tho miners woi Icing on the ground in question, and ridiculed the idea of reserving a mile sq mro for building a township. Usually the business people take action in such mattery, and tho fact of them not doing so, as in the present instance, proved that no harm was being dono. Tho minors woro undor tho especial euro of the Warden— it was his duty to protect them, and not set the polico on them. When the case tn qucbtion was tried, Mr. Schaw flippantly designated the defence as shallow. Ho (tho speaker) thought it was just tho rovorse — that it was the judgment that was shallow. Mr Shepherd also alluded to trio right of , tho miners (under the Goldficlds Act) to have their cases tried by assessors, but which regulation was shelved by tho officials here, and called tho attention of his audionco to tho opportunity thoy would havo to obtain redress at the ensuing election. ThoCantorbury Government would bo suro to put up nCuristcliurch candidate, who would promiso them everything but perform nothing. Let them trust no man from Christchurch (cheersV Ho did hot say so hecauso he was going to stand himself, ns ho was disqualified ; but wished to sco them properly represented, ne then read the following resolution, and sat down amid loud cheering : — " That this meoting considers that tho action of tho Wardens, in preventing miners from working the auriferous ground within tho town boundary, is uncalled for, and against tho trim interests of tho inhabitants of Hokitika, ns well as of tho miners. That this mooting coosidors that the mining intore&t should havo tho first con-sideration—gold-mining being the only source of wealth on tho West Coast of Canterbury. That a raoinoiial be drawn up nnd presented to tho

proper Government authorities, asking that tho minors be allowed to mi no within the present town boundary, subject to fair conditions for tho rclevcliing of tho ground if such should bo necessary." Mr, Clarke advocated tho doposit by tho miners of LlO beforo breaking ground within tho surveyed township, to cover tho expense of filling in and restoring it, should tho miners themselves fail to do so ; but his speech elicited loud expressions of disapproval, and ho at last desisted, Mr M'Carthy seconded Mr Shepherd's resolution, and it was unanimously carried. Mr 0 Rowley was received with loud oheers, and said that the previous spcakor had slated that tho Government had done nothing for them, lie thought on tho contrary that they had dono wonders- -in the way of mismanagement (cheors and laughter.) Men were losing their lives and suffering great hardships through the neglect of those who might have spared them, and instances wore not wanting whero men had rolled to death for want of an ellicient hospital. That was doing something with n vengcancp. (Cheers,) Whose was the fault ? There was a gontlenian in Hokitika who said "I am tho Govornment," (laughter) but ho must be shown that tho pnblio is the master, and he only their servant. He would adviso the officials not to play too much with them or they might perchance sco another Ballarat (cheers). If theso men will bo tyrants thoy must tako tho consequences. Ho had seen five or six bundled diggers at Maryborough go up to tho camp and demand tho release of a miner who had been unjustly imprisoned, nnd it was just as well, perhaps, that the two men seized at the cemetery had been released so early that morning (ap--lauso). It was bad enough to come to such a country to dig, without having unnecessary obstaoles thrown in tho way. Tho miners must work together, and above all, be cautious bow thoy act at tho approaching elections, A change must be effected : they could roinain no longer tho slaves of the great I Am I He is tho Government, and therefore he is responsible for the death of the miner tho other day (cheors). The speaker adverted to tho state of the hospital, and censured tho Improvement Committee for handing ovor tho public monoy to Mr Sale. lie knew of two or three instances of gross neglect nnd selfishness, and added that when at tho Grey on Friday ho saw in one hotel no fewer than six or eight miners lying ill ; and if n minor is .so unfortunate as to bo laid up hero while short of money, ho must rot, liko the poor fellow the othor day. Ho moved tho following resolution, amid loud and continuous cheering : — "That this meeting wishes to oxpress its indignation at tho, management of the West Coast Goldficlds, and that it has no confidence in the Canterbury Government." Seconded by Mr. James Ross, and carried. Mr. Piosser defended briefly, but ably, tho courso the Improvement Committee took with regard to handing ovor the funds collected for tho Hospital to Mr. Salo ; and concluded by moving — "That a committee be formed for the purpo.se of carrying out tho objects of tho meeting." . I Mr. Hawkessccondedthoresolulion, and alluded to Mr. Shcpuord'srcmnvkson representation. Ho was a Chrislchurch roan, and was proud to Bay so ; but ho felt suio ho could say as a member of tho Provincial Council of Canterbury, that thoy would only be too glad to see a man returned from among tho body of working minors — not a man who could only talk mining, but one who bad worked at it, and knew what it was. He trusted to sco v miner at tho head of the poll (cheers).

Mr Shepherd was well aware that Mr nawkes hold a brief for Christchurch, and had always noticed that he got up at the latter end of a meeting to try to take away tho sting of what had been said by a few honeyed phrases. He might say what ho pleased of the Canteibury Government, but tho pnblio of Iho We.st Coast could judge of tho future by the past. Had they now any respect for tho Provincial Council or faith in its promises? ("No, no," and cheers.) What did Mr Hawkes mean by saying "not a man who could only talk mining V Did ho not know that only n man who understood mining could talk mining ? (cheers). Besides, thero woro different kinds of mining, and a mero working miner might bo vory clever at one branch, aud yet know nothing of another. Tho minors must bo extromoly cautious whom they elected. Mistrust everybody from Christchurch ; havo nothing to do with any ono hailing from there (cheors). How aro we compelled to communicalo with tho Government now ? If wo send a memorial to them direct, it is roturned, — it must go through their chief clerk, Mr. Sale. Mr. llowloy asked if Mr. Hawkes was interested in tho return of any poison in particular. Mr. nawkes — I am interested in tho return of two candidates ; ono is a miner of the Kaniori, and the other, Mr, G. B. Young, of this township (thunders of groans and yells) Tho ono is a Victorian digger, tho other is a man whoso wholo property is on tho West Coast, and -whose interests arc indented with* your own. Tho namo of the minor is Mr. William Uawkes, of the Kanieri. (" That's him : I thought so ;" ' and a stoim ot disapprobation.) The resolution was then carried, tho following gentlemen being constituted a committee! — Messrs M'Carthy, Prossor, Shepherd, Palmer, Bracken, J. Whito, Simons, J. Mahony, Rowley, and Reeves. Mr. White thon proposed tho following — "That a deputation of the minors at present holding claims on tho supposed Town Resorve wait on the Chiof Commissioner on Monday first, and present that gentleman with the resolutions carried at this meoting ; and learn from him whether on any conaMovntion they will bo allowed to work tho ground proved payablo by many of the parties now holding claims thereon." A vote of thanks was then passed to the chairman, and tho business of the first meeting was closed ; whon it was resolved to hold another in respect of tho forthcoming election. Mr. Prossor was called to tho chair. Mr Shepherd said that as tho timo for tho nomination of mombora had so closely approached, ho thonght somo slops should bo taken to secure o/liciont candidates — men in whom they had confidence— not Christchurch mon— (cheers)— and.who aro qualified to stand. It appeared that n candidate, to bo qualified, must hold a business license or minor's right, dated six months before tho nomination day. It was no uso sending down a nincompoop to represent them— (cheers and laughter)— thoy wanted a man to toll tho Cliristchurch people what was necessary, and who knew how to speak — a man whoso conduct in tho past would oll'or a guarantee of his compotenco in tho future. ' Mr Slaito Mi'shcd to know if the gentlemen now beforo bhc public were qualified to stand. Mr Shepherd was sorry to say that Mr M'Glnshau was not qualified to stand in ono Fenso, though ho was in ovory other. Mr Young is qualified by tho dato of his liconco, but cortainly not by anything elso. (A Voice — "Who is Mr Young ?") Mr Young keops a livorystablo, is a horse auctioneer, and is from Christohurch. (Shouts of derision, cheors, and laughtor.) MrStnite said lite only motive for asking was, that it would bo a pity if a gentleman bo oleoted who is not qualified to stand, nnd so allow the other sido to put ih (heir mon by a fluko. On the motion ot Mr Rowley, a committeo was thon formed, contisting of tho following gentlomon : — Messra Stnito, Hooves, Shepherd, Braokon, Rcolesfiold, Moir, Palmer, M'Farlano, Prossor, M'Carlhy, Wliite, Meo, Molntyro, and the mover, with power to add to their numbor. Tho meotitfg thon adjourned.

Goorgo Peabody, the American London'bankor, is about to return to hia nativo country, to spend tho ovoning of his days, aud sleep, with his fathers.