The Nelson Evening Mail. SATURDAY, AUGUST 7, 1869. PROSPECTING NEAR NELSON.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume IV, Issue 174, 7 August 1869, Page 2

The Nelson Evening Mail. SATURDAY, AUGUST 7, 1869. PROSPECTING NEAR NELSON.

o A meeting of those interested in despatching a prospecting party to the ranges -in the district of the Wairoa and Aniseed Valley was held at the Bank Hotel last night, Mr H. Drew in the chair. The following report was read by the Chairman, and unanimously adopted : — Kepoht. " Your Committee have during the past "week taken the matter of sending out a prospecting party into their most serious consideration, and although they .have met with frequent discouragements, arising chiefly from the complete failure of all such schemes in the past history of Nelson, yet your Committee feel that this fact should merely act upon them as a beacon, enabling them to steer clear of the rocks upon which thtir predecessors have come to grief; knowing the previous causes of failure, to direct their especial attention to the use of all possible preventatives of their recurrence. " Your Committee propose that a party of four men shall be sent out for a term of four months; that one of the four men shall be constituted manager of the party; that constant communication shall be kept up with the foreman; and if possible the party shall be visited occasionally by one or other person interested in the project. " Your Committee propose to canvass the city, and endeavor to obtain the needful funds by weekly or monthly subscriptions, or by donations, sincerely hoping that their endeavors to improve the commercial interests of the city will be supported and helped on by all, as all are interested in their success. " Your Committee have waited upon the Provincial Government for the purpose of obtaining, if possible, its co-opt ration, in the shape of the offer of a bonus in the event of success, and they have great pleasure in stating that their application was cheerfully received and cordially responded to, the Government having granted all that was esktd of them. [The correspondence between the Chairman and the Provincial Government was then read, which showed that the Government had agreed to offer a bonus of £450 in the event of a payable field being discovered; £150 to be paid to the manager, and £100 to each of the men.] "It may be asked, what does the Committee propose doing, what is thfirplan of operation? In ' reply, we beg to state that at present we have not advanced far enough to bring before you a definite plan ; we are anxious to obtain all the information we can, and would be glad to receive any suggestions irom those who have had experience in such matters: but as at least a month or six weeks must elapse before the season will be sufficient^ ad--1 vanced for the work to be commenced, your Committee feel that every care and caution shouldbe taken in the judicious arrangement ot all details. It appears npcessary, in the first place, that yourCommittee should ascertain to what extent their undertaking will be supported by the public, as unless their efforts-are backed up by their fellowcitizens furiaishing the necessary funds, of course they are powerless to act. ' " At present their idea is to send out four men, giving one of the four charge of the party; paying them, if possible, 15s or 20s per week, and providing them with provisions, tools, tent, &c. The men, if successful, will be entitled to a double miner's claim, and they will have the additional stimulus of the bonus offered by the Government; and it should be distinctly understood this bonus is offered only, and exclusively to, the party sent out by this committee. " It remains now with you, gentlemen, to say whether anything shall be done, and to what extent you will second the efforts of the Committee by your influence and pecuniary support. " Heney Dbew, Chairman." , On the motion of Mr Luekie, it was resolved — " That the committee appointed at the former meeting be instructed to carry out the proposition contained in the report just adopted, and proceed to collect subscriptions for that purpose." We sincerely trust that success will attend the endeavours of those who are striving to procure for Nelson the enormous benefit that would be conferred upon the town and province by the discovery of a payable goldfiejd within easy distauce of the Port. . ■'■.'"■■'■ .■ ._• v':. ■'. : •'••;■ .'■ '