NELSON CREEK.

Grey River Argus, Volume 21, Issue 3085, 5 July 1878, Page 2

NELSON CREEK.

[prom a correspondent .J A meeting respecting the Hochstetter Water Race came off a*. Nelson Creek on Saturday evening, when the several questions affecting miners and others were discussed. Mr Morris was voted to the chair. The first proposition was moved by Mr Lamey, and seconded by Mr John M'lntee, to the effect that this meeting entirely disapproves of the action of the authorities in reducing the standard of a sluice-head, the mover and seconder supporting the resolution by statements from personal experience and loss. At this stage, and previous to th 6 resolution being put, it was suggested by a person in the body of the meeting, that as the manager of the race, Mr Gordon, was present, he might have no objection to address a few words, and throw some light upon affairs that have led to infinite dissatisfaction. When the miners first made application for its use, gauge boxes were placed in, by the Government, and regulated by an official, according to the number of heads paid tor in advance for a stated term. Without any warning, a serious reduction is made in the supply, or what was the Btandard guage. Mr Gordon then came forward, and stated that he . did not intend to speak upon the point ; he had received but very short notice of the meeting, and was rather unprepared to enter into it. . He had giyeD strict orders that more than the authorised 60 cubic feet per minute should be let out to all those miners who require and pay for the water,. The regulations state that no more accurate means can be obtained for guaging the quantity of a sluice-head than that. He had taken trouble to ascertain the correctness of such measurement, and should any miner be able to prove a shorb supply, he was prepared to give an extra quantity free of charge. He found that a guage 20in x Sin x s in discharged 62 cubic feet, but previously there was a discharge of 52 cubic feet in excess. He proved the measure to be erroneous, as the quantity running out did not tally by several heads the quantity running in the race. He had given orders that miners opening out the claims should have any water that may remain idle.. ■•.:.■_: An amendment proposed by Mr Law — " That having heard Mr Gordon, in explanation, the resolution be withdrawn," was lost and the resolution carried. The second resolution, proposed by Mr Thomas Sherlock and seconded by Mr M'lnxee, to the effect — " That in consequence of the outlay in labor, wear, tear, cost of material, and plant in order to advaatageously work the ground available by .neans of the Government race, this meeting considers the present rental^ of water too high," was carried without dissent, and with murmurs of approbation, Mr Thomas Cochrane rose to propose the next resolution, to the effect — " That the rental be reduced by one-half." This was seconded from the body of the meeting by a gentleman whose name the writer could not catch, and supported by statements that the water was now running to waste for 16 hours cut, of the 24, and if charges were reduced no doubt more would be used. ; : _ It was proposed and seconded that a committe of five be elected, threeto form a quorum, for the purpse of drawing out petition, &c., and that it be forwarded to Sir George Grey, with copies of resolutions, and to the members of the Grey Valley, requesting their assistance in the several matters. Mr J. W. Jones brought before the meeting the position and- condition of the miners at Owen's Look-out, plunged into, a state of forced idleness, their plant being destroyed by the weather, the rental of their leases still going on, and the other hardships of necessity endured through being unable to work the ground, owing to his Honor Judge Wesson's decision in the appeal case, virtually prohibiting the flow of. water out of the branch race that has cost so many thousands of pounds. A resolution, sympathising with their condition, Was passed, and a meeting will be held at the Look-out in a few days to take some practical shape. If something is not shortly done the men will have to break up their homes and to seek a living in some land where gross mismanagement reigns not vampart ; where gigantic failures in carrying out public works and gigantic frauds on the requirements of a people are no*, winked at; and where miners, as a rhss, are estimated at something more t i<.u subjects to be bled and taxed. Let it be un«

derstood that no reference is intended toj be conveyed as to the ability or conduct of the present manager. He has simply to obey orders, and it is believed that he does so in a liberal spirit. A State School Committee was elected here some time ago, and a meeting was held during this week. It was proposed by Mr Morris that a gentleman, not a member of the committee, be invited or admitted a3 a visitor to their meetings. The question is asked whether this institution is a kind of Star Chamber, press and general public to be excluded, except those specially invited. Verily we live among strange people. It is to be hoped that gentlemen, who have accepted the responsibility committeernan, will see fit to attend when meetings are held, and it may be as well to let the committee know that they act illegally by holding their meetings on a Sunday as has already been done. This is, the- fault probably of the chairman, and it should not be repeated. We shall see whether the Central Board will endorse what was done on the 30th. A great number of residents left here on Wednesday to attend the funeral of the late Mr Samuel Haisty, at No Town. A warm-hearted congenial soul. was Sam. His house was ever open as an asylum for the unfortunate miner ; he was ever foremost in all movements tending to the advancement of his district, and his liberality was unbounded. : For all this, and in his latter days, when fortune frowned on poor Sam, No Town, or a portion of it, turned dog on him, and they have now the satisfaction of having a paltry Lls to do what they like with, first obtaining it from the County Council. The well-known face of ' Jerry' was sadly missed, and it is very singular that Jerry should be watched "like a cat watching a mouse" lest he should retail comforts innocent of excise duty. A., good sign , of your future' succes, captain, when' the door of the Union will be again open, and jealous neighbors silenced. The Road Qverseer has paid Nelson , Creek his usual visit, and :the Try-Again' road, instead of drawing near completion, seems to be the reverse, owing to parts of the work having been condemned by him*, and the end is not yet. is singular if the County Council permits this road to remain as it. is, and extend it no further. The cost to take it off the terrace would not be great.