A WEST COAST GRIEVANCE.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVI, Issue 16, 19 January 1905, Page 2

A WEST COAST GRIEVANCE.

INDIGNATION AT KUMARA,

<By Telegraph.—Press Association.)

HOKITIKA, this day

A largely attended indignation meeting was held at Kumara last evening to protest against the action of Government in suing for arrears due by the miners of the district, including Goldsborough and Stafford, for water supplied from the Government water-races, and also ill opposition to the proposal that in future water should be paid for in advance. Jiesolutions condemnatory of the action of the Government were carried with great enthusiasm, the speakers pointing out that the proposed procedure was most detrimental to the mining industry, and impossible of performance owing to the poor nature of the claims. Strict enforcement would mean the closing down of the whole goldtield. Several vigorous speeches were mads. The Mayor presided, and in the course of his remarks declared that if the proposal to pay in advance were enforced he would have no hesitation in leading a mob and forcibly opening the gaugebox of the dam. A feeling of opposition runs high throughout the affected districts.