PUBLIC MEETING.

West Coast Times, Issue 641, 14 October 1867, Page 4

PUBLIC MEETING.

On Wednesday last a ..very numerously attended meeting was held at the Jones' Flat Hotel, to enable the Committee appointed to arrange the drainage of the Flat, to report progress. Mr Warden AyJmer was called to the chair, and briefly recapitulated what had been done, and called on Mr I Cuming, Chairman of the Committee, to read the report, which he did, as follows : — The Report of the " Tail Race Committee." Ross, October 8, 1867. Mr Chairman and Gentlemen — According to instructions received at a public meeting held at the Court House on the 25th September, 1867, we the Committee beg to haudinvthe following report : — 1. We had the services of the MiningSurveyor (Mr Cooper) who took the levels, the copy of which we bej; to lay before the meeting. 2. We have estimated the cost of the whole, and roughly calculated it at the sum of eight hundred and thirteen pounds seventeen shillings, sterling, (LBl3 175.) 3. We have calculated the whole length of Race to be one thousand eight hundred feet, (1800), with a fall of forty-eight feet below the old township terrace, to be wrought by an open cutting of two hundred and fifty feet from the surface to ten feet in depth, to be slabbed three feet up, and to be two feet wide at bottom and ten feet at top. The balance to be wrought by tunnelling in six shafts, 20, 26, 33, 41, 44 and and 47 feet respectively in depth, say 200 feet apart. The tunnelling to be timbered four feet six in clear, and two feet in depth, and three feet on bottom, with six side laths, and two on top. And we the Committee beg to offer the following suggestions : — That the work be cut up into small sections, and that each section be put up by tender, and not obliged to accept the lowest or any tender, and those whose tenders are accepted must find timber, tools, Sec. And we suggest that each section contain one shaft, and a paid qualified manager be appointed whose salary shall not exceed the current rate of wages. And that a Financial Committee be appointed by the meeting, consisting of the business men and miners. (Signed) Hamilton Cuming, Chairman. Mr Cuming said this was as far the Committee could go until they knew what funds could be obtained, he hoped that all would co-operate for the common weal of this once flourishing but vow languishing district, the proposed work, if completed, would benefit all the diggers, would get the gold, but they would not hoard it. He believed that if a subscription were opened in Hokitika, a considerable sum would be obtained there, in fact, he did not think that money would stop the work, only one or two of those he had spoken to objected to subscribe. Ho hoped miners would waive small differences ; it was said there were some of them opposed to the scheme, thinking the cost would be too heavy for them ; if they would raise one-half, he thought he would take upon himself to raise the other, certainly he could get L2OO. The question for the meeting to consider was, would the work suit, or could a better plan be adopted ? The Committee had done their best, and as it was evident something must be done, lie thought the sooner it were done the better. He would suggest that perhaps some who could not conveniently contribute money, might perhaps give the labor, which would be acceptable. (Cheers). It was proposed by Mr Millner, seconded by Mr Hirter, " That the report be accepted." Proposed by Mr Everingham, seconded by Mr Netherwood, " That a Financial Committee be appointed, with power to add to their number, to consist of Messrs Ayliner, Ingram, Cummings, Powell, Carroll and Gunn." Proposed by Mr Tribe, seconded by Mr Hirter, '• That the Committee be authorised to collect funds, put the works in hand and employ a manager if necesssary." Mr Aylmer thought it was necessary to ascertain the number of men bencfitted, and on that calculate what demand should be made. It was suggested that one man should remain on each claim the next day to give the Committee information. Mr Cummings, in answer to a question, said he could not guarantee one half the cost of the work, but would do his best to obtaiu money both in Ross and Hokitika. Yptes of thanks were passed to the

late Committee, the Surveyor, Mr Warden Aylraer, and to Mr Nelson for the use of the room. The greatest interest was taken in the proceedings — the spacious room being filled. The resolutions were all carried unanimously. We hope the same interest and unanimity will be shown in providing funds.

Novel Causes foe Divoece. — A distressed complainsmt in St. Louis reports that the first chill her affections received was on the weddig tour, when she caught cold and was not allowed to have a fire at the hotel on account of the expense. Her next shock was from a tough beefsteak seasoned with lard. The deadly stab was - tHe husband's refusal to furnish her with a feather bed. A killing blow was his unkindness to her sisters ; but the " unkindest cut" was his reticence at the dinner-tablo ; he did not help her to mutton chops, failed to pass the potatoes, neglected to furnish her plate with vegetables, and left her to help herself. These insufferable indignities preyed upon her health and wrecked her peace of mind, and she now appeals to the courts for redress. — " Cosmopolitan." The Emperor Napoleon has presented the University at South Bend, Indiana, with a splendid telescope, valued at 25,000f. It bears the inscription in French : — ' Presented by his Imperial Majesty Napoleon 111. to the Catholic University of Notre Dame dv Laci Indiana, United States.' When cock-fighting was in fashion, a gentleman, having a match on in the country, gave two cocks in charge to his Irish servant to carry down. Pat put them together into a bag ; on opening which on his arrival, he was not a little surprised to find one of them dead, and the other terribly wounded. Being scolded by his master for putting them into the same bag, said ho did not think there was any danger of then 1 hurting each other, as they were going to fight on the same side. rrwiii-Mw 'I'lim imm i !■»■■»■» mi m ■ n.i ■ bimi wmi ■ i ■