DUNSTAN.

Otago Witness, Issue 824, 13 September 1867, Page 15

DUNSTAN.

(FKOM OUR ,OWff CORRBSrOM-JOBIfT.) 6th August. On Saturday last, a numerously attended "meeting of miners was held at the Criteiion Hotel, called for the purpose of taking into consideration matters 'connected with the mining interests of the district. Mr J. Coleman , who occupied the chair, said that the business to be brought forward was entirely in connection with the district. The Land question wag a most important one ; the Squatters were offering the people land tipon terms which could not be accepted. The system of Goldfields management was defective, and a better one must be introduced ; but at present it seemed impossible to obtain redress. While so much jealousy existed between the General ■and Provincial Governments, no subject can be entertained without Provincialism •or General Governmentism creeping uppermost. To such an extent was this carried, that he even found the member for Goldfields saying that, "if the Province got tht delegated powers, they "would have the opportunity of recommending men who supported the Provincial Government," meaning thereby that he (Mr Vogel) intended to remove all the officers on the Goldfields, and send fresh ones up from Dunedin.

A discussion ensued from the meeting -as to the originators of the movement, and that something definite should be brought forward.

Mr Edwin Jones proposed, " That this meeting is not satisfied with the management of the Golclfielils in this district."

Mr Iverson seconded the motion, said that he merely did so, to ascertain the opinion of the miners. He had a great deal to complain of, but could get no re--dress.

On a question from the body of the meeting, the chairman explained that its conveners had no party objects in view. ■They "wanted to form a committee to look after Gold fields affairs. To procure good government was their object. Mr Edwin Jones said that he had read n notice in the local paper, to the effect that Messrs Campbell and Low, of Manuheri3da, would offer no obstacles to persons •wishing to take up land on their run. He would, however, ask what do the squatters want the diggers to become I tenants or commoners. The squatters •wanted all the country. They had it "now to the very edge of the rivers, a3 they feed their sheep so close to the banks that a dijger cannot keep a horse or a goat. Mr Iverson thought the Goldfields Act required altering ; the discretionary power allowed to the Wardens was ridiculous. Mining Boards were wanted, and provision to be made for the payment of the memters. The regulations relative to the occupation of claims, were bad ; no one could take a claim without a charge being made for survey. He thought that any miner must "be thickheaded who could not mark out a claim himself.

The resolution was carried, with two dissentients.

Mr James Sandison proposed, "That this meeting form a Committee to take into consideration the best means of providing for the good government of this district, and to become the mtdium of communication with the Government for the furtherance of this object : such Committee to consist of nine members." Mr Sandison said he believed that much good would result from the appointment of the Committee. The exclusive occupation of the lands "by the squatters was most pernicious, and if we did not look ■out, they would have it all in their own hands. "He was dissatisfied with the decisions of the .Warden; .but would not go into the subject now.

Mr John Lewis seconded the proposi"fcion, which was carried.

Mr Ellison said that a petition had been forwarded to the General Government, praying that the whole valley ,of the Molyneux might 'be declared into Hundreds. The miners had made up their mieds not to occupy the lands upon terms from the squatters, considering that if they could not hold the lands in their own right, it was best to take off to America or Canada. The agricultural leasing system was very badly managed, there was no security. A man did no* know whether he had a lease or not ; and' even after depositing his money, he did kno'V whether he should get one. He, however, hoped for a change, but, they must look to Mr Macandrew for an improVement in these affairs. Mr Anderson, the owner of a station at the Teviot, had posted up notices that life was willing to arrange with persons desirous of occupying land. Now everyone knew' Mr Anderson's hostility to the diggers', and lie would only "make ,'this concession thVough pressure.' • Mr Anderson charged' the miners 24s per annum for running their cattle, and would not allow any one person to keep more than four. They did not come 16,000 miles to be paupers.

If it was wanted for them to become that, let them return to Britain. The election of members to form the committee' then took place, and Messr3 Jones, Iverson, Watson, O'Kane, Forrest, Finlay, Stewart, and Ratcliff were elected. Mr Iverson proposed, and Mr Webb seconded — " That one of the fir3t and principal duties of the Committee be the establishment of a Mining Board." Carried. Mr Edwin Jones, in reply to some remarks respecting the indefiniteness of the objects of the meeting, said it was not sought to impugn the conduct of any Government Officer, or to bring into question the working of any single department. They wanted a general reform in the management of the affairs of the Goldfields. A vote of thanks to the Chairman concluded the proceedings. The nomination for the Mayoralty at Cromwell took place on Wednesday last, at the Schoolhousp. Messrs W. J. Barry and G. W. Goodyer were duly proposed and seconded. The show of hands was in favor of Mr Barry. On Tuesday last, the District Coroner, Mr H. W. Robinson, held an inquest at the Cromwell Hotel, upon the body of a man named Patrick Crowe, a shepherd in the employ of Messrs Loughnan, of Mount Pißa Station. Deceased lived in a hut at Gentle Annie Creek, and on the 23rd ult. he sought Dr. Corse for advice, suffering, as that gentleman deposed, from delirium ircincns. and complaining that he was annoyed by a band of music playing night and day. Dr. Corse detained deceased at his house for sorao few hours, and eventiially sent him away, evidently much relieved, and with a bottle of medicine in hia possession. Deceased found his way to the Home Station, where lie remained for a few hours, and then left for his hut ; nob being seen since, a search was made, and on Monday last his body was found, with the head out of water, in the Eleven-mile Creek — he having, apparently, been dead some four or five days. Deceased had stripped off his clothes, saving his shirt ; the former were found lying upon the bank. The medical evidence satisfactorily proved that deceased died from asphyxia, produced by spasmodic contraction, the result of cold, and rot from drowning, as was supposed. A verdict in accordance was returned. The man John Bright, who was conveyed to the Dunstan Hospital on Saturday last, suffering from a broken leg and other injuries, caused by his falling down the Rough and Ready Company's shaft (a depth of 16ft) at Blacks No. 3, is progressing most favorably, and is in a fair way of recovery. Yesterday evening, a house belonging to the Government at Cromwell, and occupied by Mr Darling, the Clerk to the Bench, was accidentally destroyed by fire. The cause of the accident is unknown. A man named Mason, accidentally broke his leg on Wednesday last, at the Luggate Creek. He. was riding a race, and by some means came in contact with the post of a stock yard, which caused the accident. Mr Loughnan, of the Mount Pisa Station, sent the sufferer in his buggy the following day to the Dunstan Hospital. « An interesting match at billiards for Lls a-side, 300 up, was played at the Queen's Arms Hotel, Qneenstown, on Wednesday evening last. The players were Messrs A. Eichardt and Mr D. Powell, the latter gentleman giving Irs adversary 75 points. The game was well contested, and was won by Mr Eichardt.

The following extract was published by the Melbourne Argus of the 27th ultimo, and was taken from a private letter from a young married lady to her mother in Melbourne :—: — " Berrembcd (on the Murruinbid»ee, ) August 20. — It is now abput an hour's time since the station was stuck up by four bushrangers, and we have hardly recovered the fright. They took Mr L.'s rifles, a pair of pistols, and sundry clothes, mostly belonging to Mr J. They also took Johnny's overcoat from his back. Thank God, they were very civil to us, and told U3 not to be frightened. They marched Henry and John W.. a stockman, to show them the nearest station,, or the way to it. 'While the bushrangers remained they were very anxioua to get a revolver belonging to Mr L., but fortnnately he had taken it with him. We fear they will return ; in fact they boasted about coming back wLen Mr L. was at home. They are well armed, and aro possessed of two rifles and eight or nine revolvers. Tell Mr L. they took no horses from this station, but they took a lot from Hood's and Clarke's stations. Indeed, they were splendidly mounted. Mary and 1 were playing a duet when the robbers came. Poor. Mis L. was, ".so frightened. , They • behaved very civilly to the women. They say they travelled. 300 mile 3to get Mr L.'s ' rifle. Ten policemen, are in pursuit. I am so excited I can hardly write. But don't be alarmed ;we are quite safe. Go immediately to Mr L.'s, and acquaint him with, these facts."