The Longwood Goldfield.

Western Star, Issue 348, 15 May 1880, Page 2

The Longwood Goldfield.

Complying with tSie request of a deputation of ratepayers, the Mayor convened a public meeting, with the object of petitioning Government to have tracks en. into the Long woo I Eange, thereby off o ring facilities for prospecting the ground. The attendance numberel between fifty and sixty, a large proportion of whom were engaged in mining operations in the Longwood. The Town Cl-rk (Mr Cassels), in the unavoidable absence of the Mayor, read the notice convening the meeting, and requested that a chairman be ap pointed to preside. Or Locke was then voted to the chair. Mr T. Daniel then came forward, and said the proposal to open up the Longwood by cutting tracks was no new idea, and as far back as twenty years ago he had endeavored to accomplish that object. Although but little had been done in the past, he hoped a commencement would soon be made to render the dtmse bush of the Longwood accessible to the prospectors. But assistance was first required, and they looked to the Government to render that assistance. Tln-re were large numbers of men in all parts of the colony out of employment at the present time, and yet he kni-w of one p-'ace in the Longwood alone where 500 men could go and make fair wages. It was impossible at present, however, that men could carry on works in the bush until tracks were cut by which supplies could be obtained. He knew of one party whom it took three days to convey supplies to the place where they were working, a distance often miles. A sum of .£SOOO for each island had been placed upon the Estimates for the last, four or five years as subsidy to prospecting, but no part of that sum had ever been asked for this district. O.a the "West Coast he learned that tracks were cut in all directions; but the people there agitated in the matter, while the residents of this district laid idly by and got nothing: Now, however, that he (Mr Daniel) had put his hand to the work, he did not intend to cease his exertions until the object sought was accomplished, even if that should entail his writing to the authorities every day and twice on Sundays. The colony in geueral, and this district in particular, was interested in the opening up of the Longwood. Mr Daniel concluded a characteristic address by moving—That the Chairman communicate with the members for Siverton and Wallace, requesting them to use their influence jointly with the Executive to induce them to grant a sum of £ out of the vote passed last session fur goldfields in Middle Island for the purpose of cut'ing tracks in the Longwood lianges to assist the miners in prospecting and developing the auriferous and mineral resources of the district.

. Mr H. B. Cassels seconded the motion.

Mr Hbrr thought the motion should indicate the direction of the proposed tracks, to which Mr Daniel replied that he would leave that toihoße best able to judge; all he wanted was the money. Mr H. Hirst pointed out that the sum placed upon the Estimates for prospecting was disbursed on the condition that associations or local bodieß also voted a sum equal to £1 for every £1 granted by the Government. Not more than £2OO would be granted to any one local association. That sum would be granted by way of subsidy, cent, per cent, upon a wage considerably below the market value of labor paid per head on the number of men actually employed ; and no sum would be paid in excess on such sum as laav be calculated upou a wage of 5s per day on the number of men i-ngagcd in the prospecting party. Mr Hirst then read an extract from tins " Gazette " of January 17, 1878, setting forth the conditions of rewards to discoverers of payable gold fields and payments in aid of prospecting (whieh we reprint in another column). He continued by saying that he felt the time had como when money should be expended in opening up the Longwood, and he thought it the ditty of the Wallace County Council to assist m that object.

as tho County received a considerable revenue from gold duty, miners' rights, &c. There waa one thing that he wished to draw attention to, viz., that gold obtained in the Longwood had been sold in Dunedin and elsewhere, the gold duty being thereby lost to the district. Of course people had a right to go wherever they could get the highest price for the gold, but care should be taken that this district should receive the duty. The Southland County should also assist iu opening up the Longwood, as it got a considerable proportion of the revenue accruing from the goldSeld. He thought every member of the Wallace County would be only too happy to vote a sum for the purpose named. The Town Council might with advantage co-operate with the County Council in carrying out a system of prospecting. He himsslf was prepared to do all he cou'd in carrying out the object of the meeting. After some discussion on the construction of the motion, the mover agreed to substitute the following amendment: That the Chairman communicate with the Wallace' and Southland County Councils andl Borough Council of Riverton, requesting them to grant a sum of mohey jointly to be subsidised by the Government in accordance with the regulations, for thfi purpose of cutting tracks in the Longwood Ranges, to assist the miners in prospecting and developing the auriferous and mineral resource of the district. Mr Duffy condemned t.b.5 action of the Coiritv Council in refusing to cut a track info tho Longwood from near M«rrivale when requested to. d» h> about a twelvemonth agj by two men* who had been prospecting there, and, who showed a good prospect of gold which they had obtained. Mr Hirst replied that Tie was in Wellington at the time the application was made, and on being communicated with by tho County Council in regard to the mutter, he replied that a sum of money would be granted by the (tovernment in accordance with thu rules '.aid down. Since the application wa* made, nothing moie had been heard of the prospectors, although he had instituted enquiries respecting their whereabouts. Mr Hirst further explained that under the regulations a party of men having a claim in which they are engaged might cut a track to it and thus become entitled to the subsidy offered by Government. Mr J. W. Smith: Tn the event of one man or a party of men cutting a track to their claim, to whom would they apply for payment of subsidy. Mr Hirst: To the Minister of Mines. The motion was then put andl carried. Mr W. Green was the next, speaker. He said they were all agreed about the desirability of baviua tracks cut through the Longwood, but the question to decide was the .direction and locality of the tracks. He was in favor of cutting one or two longitudinal' tracks, which could be intersected at intervals by tracks from the base of the range. At the intersections it would be wise if something were placed to mark their position, as such a notice would be of great service to anyone unacquainted with the range. He himself had experienced great difficulty on some occasions in ascertaining his-, proper hearing in the bush. A motion had been placed in his hand-—That a track be cut from M'Lean's accommodation house at Kawakapatu along the range as far as Fryett's Creek, but the amended motion which had just been carried seemed to render bis. motion unnecessary. Mr J. Taylor move J—That the Chairman be requested to ask the Government for tho use of their quartzcrushing battery in Dunedin in order to give miners an. opportunity of testing the quality of stone found in their several claims, which will be. an incentive to miners in opening up new ground and developing the field. Mr Taylor said the motion spoke for itself, and it was unnecessary for him to say anything: in support thereof. Mr W. J. Collins seconded tho motion, which was carried Tvern dis. Mr J. Horr moved that the Government he requested to establish a Postoffice at Longwood. Mr Hirst said that if a petition were prepared, and the accommodationnecessary, he had no doubt that the request would be granted. There being no seconder to themotion, it lapsed. The usual compliment to the chair concluded, the business.