FOX'S FLAT.

Lake Wakatip Mail, Volume I, Issue 28, 5 August 1863, Page 3

FOX'S FLAT.

To His Honor the Superintendent of the Province o 1 Otago.

The Memorial of the Miners and other residents on the Arrow Township humbly sheweth — 1. That a great extent of auriferous ground on the adjoining Flat is not availabe for working, in consequence of the water from the Bush Creek percolating the gravelly soil and lying on the bed of the Flat at such a level as to render natural drainage out of the question, and necessitate the employment of either steam or water power. 2. That your memorialists have every reason, supported by the authority of experienced and competent persons, to think that large deposits of gold exist on the bottom in the Flat. 3. That the miners holding claims on the Flat have not the means of effecting the drainage, and are in many instances in great distress, whereby the prosperity of the township and district is seriously affected. 4. That a public meeting was called by general request on the 20th instant, to take into consideration what could be done to remedy the matter, when the following resolutions were adopted:— 1. " That this meeting regrets deeply the state of the mining interests in the immediate neighborhood of the township, and pledges itself to take measures to remedy the same." 2. " That a committee be appointed to consider the best plan for draining the Flat, by the style and title of the ' Drainage Committee,' and that they be authorised to employ an engineer if necessary, and to publish their report when complete." 3. " That a subscription list be opened for the purpose of carrying out the objects of this meeting, such list to be entrusted to the Drainage Committee."

4. "That on the subscriptions guaranteed amounting to a sum to justify the step, the Drainage Committee be authorised to memorialize the Government for a subsidy, according to the precedents of Weatherstone's and Waitahuna."

5. " That the Drainage Committee consist of the following -.—The Chairman, Mr. Haughton; Messrs. Richmond, Melody, Hildrup, Cochrane, Marshall. Gordon, Fox, Mendershausen, Douglas, with power to add to their number; five to form a quorum." 6. "That the expense of the drainage is estimated at £l*2oo, of which £560 is already guaranteed on the township." Your memorialists, therefore, pray that your Honor will be pleased to grant a subsidy to

enable this important work to be carried on without delay, thus giving employment to a large number of miners, and greatly assist in the development of the resources of the district. Arrow Township, July 27, 1863.