MINERS’ RIGHTS.

Grey River Argus, 18 July 1922, Page 3

MINERS’ RIGHTS.

PUBLIC MEETING AT RIMU. A goodly attended meeting () f in j u ers was held at Rimu under the ans pices of the Westland Miners’ Asso elation. The president (Air 11. A Baucke), in opening th-a business, e x pained that som/e yejD-s ago ther< arose trouble between the miners ant the holders of what was known a “O’N-cill’s Farm,” on the South ban! of the Hokitika River. The Seddoi Government, then in office, in order ti avoid conflict between the holders o the land and the minors, and to xacili tale mining, had resumed the land Bye and bye it was leased under tin temporary grazing license tenure but remained a tailings reserve, th' occupier knowing that his holding Ava subject to mining. Ji had change hands since, ami was being occupiet lor dairying purposes. No one haany objection, so long as the mintnj interests -were conscrved|. Recent I? however, the Forestry Officers ha< come along and wanted to acquire thi; land for forestry purposes. The. chair man read correspondence between tin Exi'cutix’c of the Association and tin Mines Department, showing that tin Association had protested against th.is as the land was unsuitable for lores try purposes, ami was required for thi purpose for which it was resumed. T< this the Mines Department had givei a favourable re] fly. A resolution was unanimously ear ried. appreciative of ‘he action of tlu Association, and the reply of the ?liDepartment, and requesting that tlial the land should remain as at present being occupied by a returned soldier Another resolution -was moved, sup ported by several speakers, and finally carried unanimously, providing that Ihe Warden should be empowered p grant extended protection to applicant where Bona tide attempts ■were made to develop ground that required ■< '

tended time for devolopnient. Mr <F. Murdoch, who had come Iron Hokitika to the meeting, caused sonn amusement by relating an incident ol the early days of Kumara, whon R J. Sodden was Member for that Di.trict. He stated Jack Hay was sent up to Wellington as a delegate on souu lining matter, when Sir George (>rev was in charge of the Alim's ('ommiiiee. Mr Seddou introduced the delegate as a ‘‘horny-hn.’nded miner’’ who had com.; to get a measure of justice for his fellow miners. Air Seddon had that day voted against the veteran. Turning to Mr Hay, he said. “You have come for justice?’’ ‘‘l have,’’ said the delegate, looking at Mr Seddon Tile veteran said: ‘‘You have come to the wrong place. There is no justice here.”