Tairua and the Leasing System.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 1963, 20 April 1875, Page 2

Tairua and the Leasing System.

PUBLIC MEETING.

A public meeting was held last evening iii the Exchange Buildings regarding the extension of the Thames Goldfield to Tairua under the Goldmining Districts Act, 1873. Many persons did not know of the intention to hold a meeting till the evening, as it was not called by advertisement, and consequently the attendance was not %• large as it might have been. There were,.however, about one hundred persons present, including mine managers, sharebrokers and miners. Mr Howe occupied the chair, on the balcony inside the hall.

Mr li owe informed those present that the meeting was merely preliminary, as the question to be considered would in all probability be better discussed to-morrow evening. It was not purposed then to go into the principle involved, but as the question was one of great importance to them all, it was for them to see that the new goldfield -should be administered to the interest of them all, and that at the beginning or end no one party should be placed in circumstances more favorable than another. He thought the general opinion of the people was that all new goldfield districts should be opened to every man, and that the license system should not be carried out. There were various reasons to b« assigned why this should be; and ho failed to see how justice could be done to the whole community if the license principle were carried out. If a man pegged out lease after lease, and was enabled to do so from prior information received, from parties who should be above giving it, there was a manifest injustice done to the majority of the miners. He did not purpose taking up their time further, as Mr Carpenter had a resolution to propose. He hoped they would think about the matter as it was a subject which affected all. They were not going to effect any object by loud talking. They had right upon their side, and all they had to do was to be unanimous in what they believed to be right for the district ana for themselves.

. Mr Carpenter then came forward, and said Mr How© had so fully explained what were the circumstances in which Tairua is at present placed, and how it affected the people generally, that he thought it would be inadvisable to give

fuller views on tho subject. However, his presence there would eonvinee them that he entertained similar views to Mr JKowo. It Mould bo better to hold a meeting to-morrow evening, as he did not see so many present as he should like at a meeting of that kind. It was a delicate question to deal with. Mr Kowe had alluded to some points which would per- ! haps, never be cleared up; but it was sufficient to know that Tairua had been opened under the Goldmining Districts Act, 1873, and that it was in force. Mr j Capentcr then went on to say that it was of no use attempting to overthrow what had been done. It only remained for them to look after their own interests ; to see that the law was strictly compliedwith, and that the large areas of land, comprising small townships should be fully manned. He should be present at the meeting to-morrow evening, and should show them that he understood what is right. He then read the resolution which he had come forward to propose, and which ran as follows : —" That a public meeting be called for to-morrow evening, to be held in the Academy of Music in order, that the question of opening the Tairua': district under the Goldmining Districts Act, 1873, could be discussed, and that a committee consisting of Messrs ———, be formed to draw up resolutions to be presented at that meeting. He stated in explanation, that he had left a blank for the names, and it wa3 for the meeting to choose the committee. He would advise that the number be limited.

The following names were then proposed to form the Committee: —Messrs. Wilson, Rowo, Mcllhone, Carpenter, Brodie, John Brown, Sims and Walker.

Mr Brodie seconded the resolution, and said, that the applications for the several leases had not been yet granted by Sir George Grey, and he believed that if the matter were laid properly before him, ho would not grant them. Mr Rowe then put the resolution, which was carried, nem con.

At the conclusion, Mr Rowe informed the meeting that the miners in Ohinemuri were taking the same steps as they were, and that a public meeting was to be held to-morrow (this) evening. The meeting then dispersed.