CAMBRIANS

Otago Witness, Issue 1805, 25 June 1886, Page 14

CAMBRIANS

June 21. — In the report of the concert given in my last letter, I have to apologise for an error and an omission. For the name, "C. Ormond," read A. Armour, and I omitted to mention Mr Owen Owens, as one of those who kindly assisted at the evening's entertainment. In connection with the above concert I may here state that over £15 was realised for the benefit of the school.

A Vinegar Hill Grievance. — A public meeting was held in the Cambrians Hall on the evening of the 14th inst., to take into consideration the conduct of the warden in recommending the granting of a special claim to Mr J. Nicolson at Vinegar Hill, in opposition to the wishes of the miners, and especially the taking of a p'ece of ground from Thurlow and party, and including the same in the special claim granted. A great deal of correspondence has taken place in connection with this matter between parties here, the member, for the district (Mr M. J. S. Mackenzie), and the Minister of Mines, so that I am afraid anything like a detailed account would occupy far too much of your space. However, I may state shortly, that over thirty miners — (nearly all the miners engaged on and around Vinegar Hill) — signed a petition objecting to the grauting of this special claim, antl stating that the piece of ground claimed by Thurlow and party had been applied for as a minii:g lease by them, survey fees paid, and all necessary preliminaries required by the act performed by them. The ground had, I believe, been surveyed, so that according to their own showing, besides 'losing lie ground, they have also lost about £20 in cash by the transaction. The inspecting engineer to the department (Mr Gordon), is also stated to have recommended the granting of this claim with the grouud applied for by Thurlow and party, although the objectors never had an opportunity of submitting any explanation of their views to him. In fact, they appear to have beeu unaware of his visit to the ground in dispute — if he did visit it. These aro the leading features of the case, from which miners can form their own opinions. After a good deal of discussion the meeting was adjourned until Saturday evening, a committee consisting of Messrs Hughes, Thurlow, and Excel (chairman), being appointed to draw up a report as to what they thought best to be done in the meantime — On meeting again on Saturday evening, the committee read a memorial, intended to be forwarded to the Minister of Mines, for the approval of the meeting, and this was approved of. A resolution was also passed thanking Mr M. J. S. Mackenzie, M.H.R., for his assistancetotheminers in investigating the matter. A vote of thanks to the chairman of the meeting (Mr Excel), terminated thei>roceedings.

School Committee. — As is now generally known, the election of school committee here was declared invalid by the Education Board, and the 15th inst. appointed for a fresh election. The district appears to have become divided into two parties over this question. Whether Whigs and Tories, or what each party is known by, I cannot say, but both parties did their utmost to secure a majority on the committee and it is surprising the amount of interest taken in an otherwise uninteresting event if a little opposition spirit is raised. On the evening appointed the schoolroom was well filled by householders and others who came to see the f uu, for an opinion prevailed among some that th.c meeting would be. "lively." However, all

won I. off quiotly aud in an orderly manner, as is iuvavinbly tho case, fco far as 1 have seen in public meetings in Cambrians, for no matter how close the struggle, or how high public feeling may run on any matter, I think I can congratulate the residents on well-conducted public meetings. Mr John Ewing, occupi-d tin; emir. After revling correspondence between the Education Board ami the Uto committee, asul gu-ing his ruling on several points which were wised, proceeded to receive nominations, aud they being in excess of the required number, the election was proceeded with by ballot. Mr W. Will', mis ami -Mr W. Glume having been appointed scrutineers, titty househollers—among th'-s.' oii-j tV:na!e— recorded their votes with thu following result. :— Mr C. D.mgey, 53; Mr S. .'.i'Oullough, sii ; Mr W. Uunie", 50; Mr J. Toh^u-j, W; --tr T. Ilugho-s, 42; Mr W. Williams, -Jrt ; a»'l Mr J. Gruhths, 34.

The above is the commiUefS after what I in.iv bay was a \ery oa.efully conducted election, both o)i the pai tof tin- oinirMim ;i'id scrutineer.*. Yi-t, I beli^v objections will be laid befoie the board in regard to so-no of Mm votes recorded. I do not, however, think they will be sustained. .Should they be so, howovir, it is quite on the cards that the board mil appoint a commissioner for this year, and so put and end to our troubles I daresay the present, chairman of the school committee, or the one v.ho hat. acted for the pa*t few years would give satisfaction to the board, if either would act. The neiv committee held its first meeting on the evening of the election, as ordered by the board, when Mr W. Olunie was elected ch.iirman for tho year, with Mr W. William*, deck, aud Mr T. Hughes, treasurer. No other business wi's transacted, but I hear a sewing mistress will be appointed shortly. Tii^ WEATiiEnfortliup.istwc»kortwohasbecn pretty well mixed an 1 very sudden in the changes. Rain, hail, frcst, miow, high winds, dead calms, and oceasi vial glimpses of .sunshine, all go to make, up our .share of this winter so f.u\ The date of this '.otter brings us to midwinter ; but in this lot- ility, at least, we consider the longest and coldest half has to come yet.