LIVINGSTONE.

North Otago Times, Issue 774, 17 July 1890, Page 3

LIVINGSTONE.

A public meeting of minors and those interested in mining was hold in the Sohoolhoitso, LiviugKtouo, on Mondivy evening. There whs a largo attendance, »'id Mx H. Howo was voted to the oh \u\ Tho chairman explained thab he had been served by Mr John Borton's solicitors with a writ of tho Supremo Court, claiming L5O damages for polluting tho Muorowheuua River, and asking the Court for an injunction to restrain tho defendant from further uollution of the rivor ; and tho mooting was convened to consider what action to take in the matter. Tho secretary of tho Minors' Aiwooiai lion road a lottor from tho lion, the Minister of Mines in roply to their application to liavo the Maorowhonua Rivor declared a sludgo channol. Tho Minister of Mines statod that ho would communio.'ito with tho County Council, and assortain if thoy would forego tho goldfioldn revenue. A letter wns also road from Mr Thomas Duncan, intimating that ho would do all in his power to assist tho minors. Mr Roberts said thab tho Minister of Minos cither did not know tho Mining Act of 1886, or ho was blufling tho Association, for clause 154 states oxplicitly tho course to follow ; but it was his opinion tho Government did not want to declaro the Maurowhenua a sludge channel, as the rich man was on the one sido and tho poor man on tho other. However, thoy had only ono course to follow, and that was to keep pegging away nt tho Government until redress was accorded them. The unanimous opinion expressed by tho speakers ivhk to b!u» effect; thab tho Governmoufc ought to defend tho case against Mr Howo, as tho minors had broken no law. Mr M'Quade moved that a petition bo drawn up and signed by minors and those interested in mining and forwarded to the Government, praying them to defend the action of Borton v. Howe in tho Supreme Couvt nt Oatnuru, and also praying thorn to declaro the Maorowhenua river asludgo channel under clause 154 of tho Mining Act of 1886. Seconded by Mr Wolfe. Mr lioborts moved as an amendment to the motion that an immediate telegram bo forwarded to tho Govonimenb slating that a writ had been served on It lTowo, and axking thorn bo instruct a solicitor to draw up a ploa and defend tho case. The motion as amended was unanimously carried. Tho chairman of tho meeting was instructed to forward tho following telegram : "Borton v. Howo — Writ served on Friday, returnable on 21st. Will Government instruct lawyer to draw up plua and defend action. Petition will follow, awaiting answer." It was also resolved that tho committee of the Association draw up tho petition immediately after tho public mooting, and that it bo in tho hands of Mr Howo on Wednesday for signature of persons in Oamaru interested. It was resolved on tho motion of Mr R. Cook that the Minors' Associations throughout tho country bo informed of Mr Borton's action. A voto of thanks to tho chair oloeed tho proceedings.