KYEBURN DISTRICT MINERS' ASSOCIATION.

Otago Witness, Issue 1933, 12 March 1891, Page 12

KYEBURN DISTRICT MINERS' ASSOCIATION.

A 60ft rise to

The following business was, we learn from the Mourt Ida Chronicle, transacted at the quarterly meeting of this association, held on the 28th tdfc.j-

PUBLIC CHANNELS.

The motion by the Mount Ida branch—" That It to desirable that all rivers and streams in New Zealand should be proclaimed public channels for mining debris and tailings, from the ranges to the sea"— was first taken up. The motion was brought up at last meeting, but had to be left over owing to the small number of members present, and on that account the vote of this association was taken by the head branch as being in the negative. The subject was, however, thoroughly considered, and it was thought the motion was too vague and sweeping, there being no provision made for the protection of existing rights, &o. Ultimately, Mr P. Beer moved, and Mr J. Parker seconded:— " That this association is averse to the motion of the Mount Ida branch."

BBPBBKNDBM OB INDIVIDUAL TOTING.

Mr J. F. Morris moved the following motion, notice of whioh wa» given at last meeting :— " That at the request of two-thirds of the members of any association all matters of genoral interest to the confederacy shall be referred to the referendum.' This motion was submitted to the head branch, and a reply received to the effect that that body was dead against it. A long discussion emued on tha subject, and it was thought to the best means by which the individual vote and true feeling of the members could be ascertained on all matters of importance. It was also pointed out that even in scattered districts the thing was quite workable, as each member of the committee cjuld be supplied with the necessary paper, when, with very little trouble, the names of all member*, both for and against, could be easily obtained, and the question dealt with at the first meeting of the associations. A« the thing stands at present, each association counts simply as one vote, thus giving an association, with a small membership a voting power equal to that of any association with perhaps more than double the number of members, and the result arrived at when a vote has been taken upon any important question may not represent the true feeling of the membess of the confederacy as a whole. Mr H. Smith then seconded the motion, which was carried.

THE PBIGK OF GOLD,

This subject, on which a communication from the hesd branch had teen received, was one on which all were unanimous, and after a lengthy discussion Mr P. Beer moved, and Mr J. Brown seconded :— " That this association pledges itself to demand from the banks Bl 17s 6d per cz for gold (including 6d per oz previously absorbed by the bank) after the 31st March next, and, ia the event of the banks refusing, Government to be asked to give facilities to the miners for sending their gold direct to the mint. Should both measures fail, several ot the members present expressed their willingness to send their gold to the mint in oharge of a trustworthy person appointed by the associations. ASSAY OFFICE. The lubjeot of an assay office was broaohed, but beyond expressing the hope that ere long a desirable institution would be established in Naseby, nothing further was done.

TAXING MINING PLANT.

Thii matter wai also brought np and discussed

when it was brought out that a farmer might as justly be taxed for his horses and drays, or a carpenter for his tools, at a miner for his plant, -whereupon Mr John Brown moved, and Mr P. Beer seconded :— " That thiß association emphatically protests against the taxation of mining plant."

WKRNBB TKSTIMOmUIi.

Tbe Chairman stated that the amount subscribed to the Werner t eßtimonial fund was £2 3s. whioh was considered very satisfactory, seeing that no one was asked to subscribe more th*n Is.