GABRIEL'S RUSH JUBILEE

Grey River Argus, 25 November 1910, Page 1

GABRIEL'S RUSH JUBILEE-

With regard .to the jubilee of the old pioneer miners contemplated to be held at Lawrence on Many 20, 1911, I have now much pleasure in letting ihe public know that I have ito report progress, and that there are considerably over one hundred pioneer miners of '61 who have expressed a wish 10 be present at the reunion. To --his end our Ldberal Government has granted a sub&idy of £ for £ up to £500, and I am now organising to make an appeal to the gennerous public to assist m-e dn raising funds, to bring the scheme of providing for ,a week's reunion of the old. pioneer diggers -.o a happy fruition. . -.. ■ ■

• I am sorry to <say that many of the pioneners have met with hard times and-will require to be assisted to be present. I will give an .extrract im-m a letter from one of ;a party v/ho has a mi-.ner'a >righ taken out at Ihe Warden's office, Gabriel, dated Get. "1, 1861. He states :^-"Our pary were amongst the earliest diggers 10 dispose of gold to the Bank of New Zealand when if first, opened i f s i'octs for business. I am now in my eighthieth year and s-tiill pretty strong, oiid slvrdy and would dearly love to .aarch m the army representing the vetexan .ci^.gers of the grand old days. The ii-ifiiniit-ies of old age and financial difficuties will, however, debar many of the old ones in participating- in what would be looked upon >as an epoch-making, event to many, like myself, ueing cepeucent on the old age pension.'' To those who are in sympathy with this movement ct" bringing vi? old pioneer miners ot the early gojUlfields together, men who did :o -lUvh'-i.n opening up the hidden resources of cur land, and by doing so sent our rou.ntry along ■in leaps and bounds, unparalleled in history, I 'ommend the project. They deserve of our b^st, and if we can in any way assist in giving them an opportunity of spevidi.ag "■. nappy week together in the haunts of .their youth and early manirx-d we have accomplished much, i earnestly appeal to one and all throughout the Dominion who are willing :o vork. on behalf of . the movement, or to contribute for their substance, to communicate with me and <. v :''£r^. A dress, Old Pioneer Miners' Fund; Lawrence.. , JAMES ROBERTSON. Mayor.