MINING ASSOCIATION.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXIV, Issue 8054, 1 November 1897, Page 2

MINING ASSOCIATION.

CORRESPONDENCE WITH GOVERN-

MENT.

Bklow is a copy of correspondence that has passed between the dishorne Mining Association and the Government, which explains itself :— To the Hon. James Carroll, Colonial Secrc-" tary, Wellington. October 7, 1897. Dear Sir, — M 3' desire to see something achieved in connection with our Prospecting Association must be my excuse for briefly I addressing you at this busy time of the session of Parliament. I need not here recount what the Association has done, but rather what we are desirous of continuing to do with the assistance of your good offices and that of the Premier and the Hon. Mr McKenzie, who when up here promised us assistance, and was good enough to considerately send us all information with a view to furthering our project in prospecting this district. So fur as we are aware we have at considerable expense and trouble complied with those conditions, aiid I at considerable time and expense canvassed the tradespeople and settlers to support the movement on the promise made by me to them that the Government would assist us in so laudable an undertaking in the interests of the district in particular and the colony in general, and we have expended over £?50 and we are some £30 in debt, and as the time is at hand when we should like to start where we left off in the autumn we are desirous of putting our men in the field again, about the 25th of this month, but you know the uphill work it is to collect support from the residents, especially when I am confronted at almost every turn with the query "Have the Governmentgivenyou their subsidy?" Well, I have had a good and valid excuse this last six months, namely the absence of the Hon. the Premier, but he has now returned, with great credit to himself and the colony at large. Indeed, I think his trip has boen a signal success, at which I am extremely well pleased, and as a North Lancashire man myself I am desirous of emulating his success in a more modest degree in the undertaking now under notice. Indeed, I am like the Premier : In any undertaking that is worth supporting I never back down till success is achieved or the tail flies off. It is a quality largely inherent in Lancashire men 111 general but in the Premier and myself in particular. Will you, therefore, at BOiue opportune moment, within the next week or ten days, be good enough to bring under the notice of the Hon. the Premier and Mr McKenzie our claims, which you can state more briefly and explicitly than I can here recount, and forward cheque, if only half of the cost as supplied in statement, so that we can follow up our project, and so give us hopes for the future. Apologising for the length of this note, believe me, yours faithfully, J. Whishay, .Secretary and Treasurer."

Telegram to Hon. James Carroll, Colonial Secretary, Wellington, Gisborne, October 30, 1897.

It is twelve mouths to-day since we first sont our prospectors out. They have arrived in town again, and we are anxious to send them on to coutinue the work, as there are only about five months of the year that we can use to advantage. The weather is now favorable for a fresh start, and we are only awaitiug your reply to Whinray's letter. We have been extremely patient, but it jb impossible to obtain further support from the subscribers till we can substantiate the promise made. Will you without further delay assist us in this small matter ? We trust that after all our trouble and expense we shall not be compelled to abandon a cherished hope of assisting this district hi general as well as the Government. Convey our thanks to the Hon. Mr Cadman for Mines Record forwarded, and accept same yourself for copy of Mining Bill. Signed, J. Whinray, Secretary and Treasurer ; A. F. Matthews, President ; W. F. Crawford, vice-President ; T. J. Dickson, W. King, and Wethered, C'ommitteemen. P.S. — A speedy reply will greatly oblige. Telegram toT. J. Dickson, Esq., and others, G isbonio,

Re your wire : Owing to a very prolonged iiimnoial debate wo have been precluded from nil other business, but now that it is over, next Meek we will be able to get to work properly on questions requiring monetary aid. Kiud regards, J. Carroll, Wellington—October 30.