THE MINERS' LEAGUE.

Westport Times, Volume IV, Issue 648, 21 April 1870, Page 2

THE MINERS' LEAGUE.

The Westport and Charleston delegates met at the Empire Hotel on Tuesday last, and framed a few regulations to be submitted to a general meeting for the constituting of local committees and a central committee. It is suggested that local committees shall consist of six members, exclusive of a chairman and secretary, whose term of office shall extend over six months ; the duties of such local committees shall be to enrol members, collect subscriptions, and gather information for the promotion of the League ; to guard the interests of the miners and to exercise their influence in returning competent and worthy representatives to the deliberative bodies of the Colony. The Central Board to consist of the Chairmen and Secretaries of local committees, having the appointment of Chairman and Secretary from their own number; the Treasurer or Treasurers to be appointed from among themselves or such as may possess public confidence. The general duties of such Board to be the careful guarding of mining interests and the removal of obstructions to the development of the mineral resources of the Colony. The following letter was forwarded by the delegates to the resident Warden, whose reply we also publish : " Empire Hotel, " Westport, April 19. " J. Giles, Esq., Warden, " Sir, —We are now sitting in our character of delegates attheaboveplace, and would think it a great favor if you would call upon us with a view to our taking advantage of your advice and suggestions in some of the matters under discussion, as we wish to avoid anything that might lead to bitter discussion, or breed ill-feeling between miners and those intrusted with the administration of these goldfields. By naming the time at which you could attend you would much oblige—Tours respectfully,

" Aides" Doyle. " Fergus Bareowmax." " Warden's Office. " Westport, 19th April, 1870. "To Messrs Aideu Doyle and Fergus Barrowman,

" Gentlemex,—l beg to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of this date informing me that you have been appointed delegates from some of the districts in which public meetings were held to consider the best remedies for the grievances generally complained of by the miners, and requesting my advice on some portions of your-proceed-ings, also expressing your wish not to do anything likely to lead to bitter discussions, or breed ill-feeling between yourselves and those intrusted with the administration of these goldfields, and further asking me to name the time I couklcall upon you, if at all. " In reply, I beg to thank you for the sentiments thus expressed", and to assure you that I do not think any illfeeling can by any possibility arise between those who hold official positions on these goldfields, and miners who are endeavoring to the best of their ability, and in a lawful and temperate manner, to draw the attention of the public and the Government to any grievances under which they may believe themselves to be suffering, and which they may consider capable of remedy. On the contrary lam satisfied that the Government has every disposition to redress any real grievances, and I am sure that the Wardens of these goldfields will always be ready to give the miners their assistance in bringing such matters under the notice of the Government, provided always the matters complained of are not of a political character.

My entire ignorance how far the grievances mentioned in your letter partake of the above character is one reason which, together with others, prevents my accepting at present your invitation to call upon you in your capacity as delegates. I may state, however, for your information that the Superintendent has approved of an occasional conferenceof the Wardensof these goldiields, for the purpose of discussing in a general way the working of the rules and of matters relating to the interests of the miners. I think I may speak with coniidence for the other Wardens, as well as for myself, in saying that we shall gladly receive suggestions and representations from the miners, and that should any revision of the rules be thought necessary, it would be our wish that delegates chosen by the miners should join us in conference on the subject. " But until some plan of this sort is arranged I do not think that the meeting you propose is desirable or would lead to any good result. Nevertheless, I shall be very happy to assist you in any way, should you think it desirable to address any specific communication to me, by bringing such commuuiention under the notice of the Government, or by obtaining a discussion of it at the first meeting of Wardens, which it is hoped will take place at the Q-rey in the course of two or three weeks.

" I have the honor to be, gentlemen, your obedient servant, " Joseph Giles, "Warden."