UPPER SHOTOVER MINERS' ASSOCIATION.

Lake Wakatip Mail, Issue 785, 26 November 1873, Page 3

UPPER SHOTOVER MINERS' ASSOCIATION.

A general meeting of members of the above body was held on Saturday, 22nd inst., Mr T. M'Hattie, Vice-President, in the chair. The object of the meeting having been stated, matters of minor importance were disposed of with despatch, and the commonage question, so far as it concerned the mining community, was introduced. The question was discussed at great length, and the following resolution was proposed by Mr Andrew Southing, seconded by Mr W. Baillie :—" 1. That this Association is fully convinced that the intended leasing of the depasturing lands in the district, without adequate provision being made, will prove injurious to the mining interest 2. That, should the Government carry their intention into execution, it is the opinion of this Association that it would be an indirect method of ignoring a privilege of the miner, leaseholder, and others, fully constituted under the Goldtields Act, 1866, and regulations made under that Act. 3. That this Association place itself in communication with other kindred Associations, for the purpose of adopting such measures as may be necessary to inform the Government of the great injustice that would be inflicted on certain classes of the community, should the Government effect the sale of the runs." An amendment was proposed by Mr G. Howell, seconded by Mr J. Bourdeau—" That this meeting expresses its disapprobation of the manner in which the commonage of the district has hitherto been managed, inasmuch as no benefit has been derived therefrom by the mining community, and that, in the absence of any better system, it approves of the course adopted by the Government with respect to the Wakatip commonage, and that the Secretary be instructed to immediately correspond with the Goldfields Secretary, relative to the extent and locality of such lands as are reserved as commonage for this district." The amendment was put, and received the almost unanimous approval of the meeting, the proposition being supported by but one hand. The Chairman declared the amendment carried. The following statement of arguments were brought forward by Mr Southberg, in support of his resolution: — It will be remembered that, when gold was discovered in the Lake Wakatip District, the pastoral tenant was compensated, ar.d the land proclaimed a goldfield. and ultimately fell under the Goldfields Act, 1566, which Act is still in operation. Under Section 14 of said Act, the depasturing regulations were constituted, which give the miner and leaseholder the right to depasture certain number of cattle proportionate to their holdings. The above clearly demonstrates that the miner and leaseholder acquired the right of a pastoral tenant, while considering those engaged in the more expensive undertakings requiring the aid of the horse, have expended both time and capital under the full impression that they would be protected in their occupation; but iu perusing the Government Gazette it is there notified that the depasturing lauds of the district will be sub-divided into runs, and the leases thereof sold at public auction, without any adequate information how existing rights are to be dealt with. Can it be possible that those rights are altogether ignored? If so, it may be characteristic of the despot, but it cannot be constitutional with a Government under the British Sovereign. The letter written by the Goldfields Secretary to Mr K. Clarke, M.P.C., affords no satisfactory explanation on the matter; it rather tends to confirm an assertion already made—»'.«., that the Government do not deny the miner to depasture the number of cattle allowed him by law on tho sheep run. Such an unscrupulous assertion, demands but a passing notice, as an amateur farmer may inform, on application, that he cannot depasture his horses on the same land as he depastures sheep without his horses going to ruin. Under such a treatment, humanity could be exercised towards neither, but the larger animal will sutler the most; and the miner or leaseholder who depends upon depasturing his horses on the sheep run, may find, before many years, that not only is he deprived of an existing privilege, but also possessed of animals utterly valueless, infested with vermin, consequent diseases, and death. It may be argued that there is the reserve, but should it be situated ten or fifteen miles distant from mining operations it can possess but little or no intrinsic value to the miner. The intended pastoral tenant or shecpowner is not likely to leave room for the miners' horses; it is more probable that he will stock the run to its utmost capabilities which is already done in certain instances, and the evil effects thereof felt. If a few of the miners who have not availed themselves of the privileges of the law, as their occupation may not have necessitated it, chooses to part with one of their privileges, is it therefore to be presumed that those miners or leaseholders whose occupation required them to conform to the law, should be thus ruthlessly dealt with.? Can the Government be fully acquainted with all circumstances connected with the present matter? That they have given it serious consideration must be admitted, but that they have utterly failed in bringing it

to an Equitable? issue cannot be doubted. They complain that these sheepoWnets have not paid half assessment, and that the Government had to pay for the country for this class of s ttlers to occupy. Nodoubt thismay be, toacertain extent, admitted, but let all miners, leaseholders, license-holders, and others, claim their full privileges, and the carrying capabilities of the country assessed, we would then be in a position to judge on whose rights the sin epowners has trespassed and made their little rises. However as sheepfarmiug has become a productive industry, and the legislation a fleeting the same has bten proved to be defective, it would appear more consistent with the duty of the administrative power, to provide for existing rights, before entering upon and adopting legislative measures concerning the new industry or sheepfarming. In conclusion I cannot but express an earnest request that the Association, as a representative body of the miners, and organised for the purpose of promoting the mining industry, will now evince a becoming interest in the matter, as there can be no doubt that an existing right confirmed by law is on the ere of for ever being lost to the miner.