MEETING OF DIGGERS.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXIII, Issue 3134, 5 August 1867, Page 4

MEETING OF DIGGERS.

An adjourned meeting of diggers was held *t the British Hotel, Queen-street, on Saturday evening, at half-past 7 o'clock. There was a crowded at* tendance. Mr. Piiioe was oalled to the chair, and laid that those persons who were present at the previous meeting would be aware that an adjournment had been proposed with a view of ascertaining news from the Thames on the return of the steamer 'Enterprise No. 2.' The meeting was held pursuant to that adjournment, but there was little at present to lay before it, as the steamer having only stayed a few hours at the place, and landed her passengers, no time had been given for ascertaining facts respecting the goldfield. The vessel had landed her passengers in the evening, and left early on the following morning, so that they would require to wait for further communication with the looality before hearing anything more satisfactory. Mr. Gbifjik said that when the last meeting was adjourned it was with a view of affording the public, and those persons desirous of visiting the Thames, an opportunity of having some central place of meeting, and ascertaining the prospects of the goldfield, to that they might take advantage of it if I they thought proper to do so. It was first adjourned until Thursday, but up to that time nothing had returned from the Thames. Since then the steamer had been down, but bad remained so short a time that nothing further had been heard of the prospects of the goldfield. It was adjourned in order that reliable information, if it had been received, should be placed before the meeting, several parties having promised to communicate with them fi>r the benefit of those in Auckland who were awaiting farther news, for after all it was a serious matter to break up a home and go down there, unless there was lome prospect of doing better. As the meetings had been begun in the house, it was with a view of keeping up the information on the subject that they had been adjourned, arrangements having been made for the receipt of any news of interest to intending prospectors. Some persons had entertained the idea that they were only held as a " draw" to the house, so that it was not their intention to adjourn them further. They were indebted to Mr. Sceats for the use of the room ; and, so far as the Government were concerned, nothing more prompt had characterised their proceedings for some time past. There had been no circumlocution or delay in the matter on their part. They had done all that was required, and it was for the people themselves to do the reit. Dr. Merrett then briefly addressed the meeting in a similar strain, impressing upon the diggers the necessity of observing good government, and conforming to the wishes of the Commissioner on the field. Mr. Aibxandir said that as an old digger he had designed a orad lo > -rrhioK k« tHought would be found mi t.h« best principle, and the most adapted to the nature of the ground at the Thames. He would exhibit it to those present at the close of the meeting. A person in the room asked if as much could be put through the cradle as through a sluioe-box, and was answered in the negative. Mr. Griffin said the cradle had been seen and examined by practical men, and had been pronounced a piece of workmanihip well adapted for the purpose for which it was intended ; and it was certainly worth looking at by those who not seen such an article. Mr. Maoaninnt said he should be willing to take a party of thirty or more to the goldfield on Monday morning in his cutter, at ss. a head. A number of those present said they would be glad to avail themselves of the offer. I Mr. McCatjl proposed that the thanks of the I meeting be given to those gentlemen who had taken an interest in the proceedings j to Mr. Sceat*, for the use of the room ; to Mr. Macaninny, for his offer ; and to Mr. Alexander, for his cradle. The motion was seoonded by Mr. Griwih, and carried unanimously. A vote of thanks having been tendered to the Chairman for bis services, the meeting broke up. | Mr. Griitin intimated that, if another meeting was thought desirable, due notioe would be given by advertisement in the newspapers.