THE PUBLIC MEETING RE THE CROWN TERRACE.

Lake County Press, Volume IV, Issue 204, 1 May 1875, Page 2

THE PUBLIC MEETING RE THE CROWN TERRACE.

On Saturday evening last, 24th nit., a public meeting waa held at library Hall; to consider the proposed leasing of the Crown Terrace, when about 200 -persons were present. Mr J, A. Miller, President Arrow: Dis-s trict Miners’ Association, took tho cbairl and read the advertisement convening the meeting. J ' Mr J. F. Healey (hon. bccJ, read the propositions of *th» Miners’ Association to the Government in reference to this subject, as published, in last, issue, with one. amendment,- viz.: ,'lhat japda may be taken from lessees, for mining purposes, by paying compensation for actual damage only, nothing to be; .claimed fort value of land lalone, except return of amount paid ,to .date for rent.’ J , r . ; a -aa3» : Mr Gpldstoii asked whether the propositions affected the mining reserves on each bank of the Arrow, below 1 the township,’ and if not, he would propose that they be included. ■ v . The Chairman read a telegram froth ; H. Msoiders, M.P.C., regretting his inability to alien’d the meeting. Mr Koach complained that this meeting ought to have been advertised for . a fortnight previously. He considered it an underhand piece of work. There had been a petition going round thte district for signatures, to cause the Crow-a Teirapp to be thrown open,. and why was it* hot placid before the meeting; He would like h»"w. who was jhe getjet 'up pl lhe petition. It was the work of the capitalists. He would propose that-the petition be thrown over, also that a fresh publiß meeting bo calkd in three weeks. Mr Ferguson proposed that’trie resMutxons of tiie Miners’- Association, as read by the secretary, be endorsed by this meeting. 1 Seconded by Mr S. Harbottle

Mr.F.-fivana—Has any provision been made for commonage ?—(A voice :'« Yes. the rocks''.—Uproar,) I%a» Chairman—The large mining re■serves, including the the face of the Tcrrac, will be available for that purpose. Mr Roach—lie and keep all your Jporomoimges. men want to monopolize ifie Crown Terrace, and Keep* off poor men. This meeting had not been sufficiently .. i Mr Butler—The Crown Terrace has been given ua I'ok a/icomnionage, and a ranger -apptonMlr" "-'The miner can now work tjae.grouod, and -residents can-run stock on it. I therefore move as an amendment that the Crown Terrace be continued.as a commonage, and not alienated in any way. ■ ... Seconded by Mr Ft Evans/"""* C" A V\ Mr ButleW ß aid farther that capitalists would absorb the Terrace, and crush the other residents, who would be left without either butter or mjlk. Mr Koach agreed with Mr Batlpe. i Mr Goldston' was Mr Ferguson's resolution, because, miners who realised money should have inducements to settlein the district, instead of faking theiry capital elsewhere. If the Crown Terrace were not opened, population would decrease. Such.a finajsact oj country j/vas wIS' 3 ' £ra**iW ; c»ws. llefity would be willing to take the land on the terms proposed by the Association. Mr.Roach—Why open more land, w hen no market can be found for produce already being raised on the flat. The farmers are barely making a living at present, and wbattarould be? the good of parties taking up fresh land, and raising produce, when there is no market ? : The Chairman—That would be their business. Mr Ferguson—Ask the miners what good has the Terrace been to them? What has become of the stock they put on it? Their cattle are missing. The opening up of the terrace would afford every poor man a chance to settle down. - Mr Roach—You would be cutting your own throats by letting it go. Keep the Crown"Terrace for your life. Mr Ferguson—l put six head of cattle on the terrace, and I have never seen one of them since. . .. Mr Pritchard—The petijiojuin favor? of opening the terrace is an insult to the public.,. _, -, Mr Roach—lt is ah underhand piece of work altogether. • - -. - Mr B.- Walker said the petition had been kept away from him. He hau helped to draw up the- propositions of the 'Miner? Association, but was not in favor of the Crown Terrace being thrown open! Mr Butler—The Government would not have appointed a ranger if they "intended to sell the terrace. There would not be a farmer left on the flat in fiveyearßif the Crown Terrace were sold. The amendment and resolution were then put to the meeting. The former was carried by an immense majority, and amid loud Cheers. The Chairman—You have expressed your opinion, which will belaid before the Government. The miners will, however, take their own course, and forward the resoluti ma of the Association. Mr Goldston said that if the farmers and cattle owner-* felt aggrieved by the action taken, they should call 8 meeting of their own, to protect against it. A vote of thanks to the chairxlased the meeting.

Before the meeting dispersed, Mr Ered. Evans addressed those present. He said hj« considered the action of the Minerb* Association, in forwarding, the resolutions to the Government against theopinion of the meeting, wasunfair. Who ought to be the b»st judges as to the propriety of opening the Grown 1 Terrcce, the Government or this meeting.* Let the result of this meeting be sent to the Government, and then if thbv would still have their own way, let us seek a better country elsewhere. . The Crown - Terrace should be kept as a commonage. Mr Walker suggested that the Town Council should call a public meeting. Mr Pritchard—Remember how the fine hud on Boyes'run was sacrificed, although I fought hard to atop it. The opposition .was too strong, and. a., few land sharks pocketed £I,OOO, and sold it for a sheep pasture. This is an equally- serious case, and we should be very cautious that some capitalist does not step iD, pocket a few thousands by it, and keep the laud for sheep. - . { j Mr Eoa ch—All the parties interested in "ie.op.eni.nij of the-Crowu Terrace; wear long noses. (Roars of laughter.) Mr Goldston—Mr Pritchard mentioned Boyes' run. The fact is, that had he (Mr Pritchard), not opposed it, it would have been opened for free selection. It was the opposition of pritchard. and others,; which , resulted in'the land being dealt with as it ■was, and if you are not careful, they will spoil the settlement of the Crown , in "the same manner. .Mr Graham proposedthat Mr Innestake the chair. Mr-Innps declined, and stated that all the Council had heard about the Crown Terraceiwas by a short sentence in a letter from Mr Mttllenstein, asking for the opinion of the Council on the subject. As : far as his opinion went, he was in favor of continuing the Terrace as a commonage. The meeting then dispersed. k '