NEWS FROM COUNTRY DISTRICTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 11563, 29 January 1901, Page 7

NEWS FROM COUNTRY DISTRICTS.

• ■ ■' I [FEOM OTJE OWN CORfiESPONDENTS.] | W.ATTTT. ■$ THE. deputation' appointed by the Waihi a branch of the Thames Miners' Union, witn B Mr. E. Drun;m as spokesman, waited on the | Minister lor Mines (Hod. Jas. McGowan) on | Wednesday last, and thanked him for having i conferred power in the Mining Act to enable | inspectors of mines to be appointed from | amongst the workers in the mines. The fol; | lowing resolution, passed by the Waihi | branch, was placed before the Minister: — ( "The Waihi branch of the Thames Miners i Union request the Hon. James McGowan, I Minister for- Mines, to institute an inquiry | regarding the grievances of residence and | business site license holders, and that the Minister be asked to devise a more satisfac-1 tory state of affairs foi the workers in| Waihi." The Minister, in reply, said that a I part of'their resolution covered the ground j already traversed by the residence sites I ;. deputation. . He would, however, consult the I Warden regarding absenteeism, but he • did I not think an inquiry was necessary. Only * individuals of 14 years and over could legally I hold a title conferred by a miners' right. Iff any sections were illegally held in Waihi, the position of the holders could to tested in the Warden's Court. He - intended to stop all I speculation in properties on the goldfieid iff possible. - • A 1 - The important question of establishing a a hospital at Waihi was brought before the! Minister for Mines during his recent visit bye Mr A. H. Benge, treasurei of the Hospital i Committee. I* was pointed out that £1301 ' bad already been subscribed by the. public! for.the purpose in the Waihi district, and! .£6OO was also lying idle in the bank at Paeroti [ tor a similar purpose. Mr. McGowan thought g a cottage hospital would answer present re-J qnirements, and they would get the subsidy! ' and assistance from the Department. fie I would see Dr. McGregor and Mr. Walker] about the matter, and do everything in hiss :. power to aid its establishment. \ : , The annual meeting of the members of the ; Waihi Brass Band, honorary members, and supporters, was held in the Waihi .{all on i Wednesday -night, January 23, when tnere ; was a very good attendance. Mr. J. M. i - wood was voted to the chair. After a good | deal,•of discussion regarding the trip to the! Christchurch Jubilee band contest, i; was proposed by Mr. H. M. Haslett. and seconded I by Mr. J E. Taylor, "That this meeting -a ; thoroughly satisfied with tho conduct of to: band during the trip to Christchurch, anl that it has every confidence in the band tip p holding its future reputation." A letter of | apology was received from Mi. E. B. G. Mo*s ] • . Tor unavoidable absence from then meeting; a he, however, showed his sympathy with th-.d band by enclosing £1 Is. The assistant sec- i retary (Mr. G Hartmann) read a statement! snowing that the assets of the band com- 1 Prised £290 worth of instruments, and stands; i and music £30 total, £320. The fallowing 3 eeatlemen were elected to fill tho several 9 offices •-Public band trustee, Mi. Wm. Cor- J bett, president, Mr. . Walter 0. Phillips; j / secretary, pro tern., Mr. T. Grant; treasurei,J Mr J. M.Wood: public working committee, j Messrs. Wm. Cnllen, J. McDonald, G. Clarke, .0 Bull, J. M. Wrigley, J E. Taylor, and Jas. i ■MoDennott. | . =?■■ - •■■'•■■■ . .