The Argus at KellyGang 25/5/1866 (5)

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They had many other resources that would be rendered available-building stone, for instance, of various kinds, granite especially, which they could produce equal in quality to the celebrated quarries in Scotland . Then there was wine-growing, which would, no doubt, become one of their staple industries. In looking over the mining statistics, he found their mining population put down at nearly 15,000.

Looking at their wretched means of communication, and comparing this with other districts in that respect, be was convinced they would double that number in a year after the completion of a railway. In looking over those statistics, they would find that at Sandhurst or Castlemaine, five or six pennyweights were considered to pay handsomely, while here there were several yielding half an ounce, and many even an ounce to the ton. The difference was in the readiness of procuring machinery, and it therefore became a matter of necessity for them to do all they could to remedy this, by procuring railway communication-that and a water supply. The latter, however, would quickly follow the former, and a railway, therefore, was the first consideration. He thought the mining interest alone would pay the interest on a railway loan. The saving in the carriage of machinery and gold would do that, irrespective of the mails and other things. The present lines had not paid, on account of the enormous expense of their construction. They had other mineral resources than gold here-tin-ore, for instance which was at present seriously affected by the cost of carriage, but would become at once highly important if carriage was reduced one-half.

Mr KAY seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously.

Mr RUPPIN moved, and Mr CRAWFORD seconded,- "That a memorial, embodying the subject before this meeting, be prepared, and signed by the delegates from the different local bodies now present, and that a deputation from this conference be appointed to proceed to Melbourne at once and present the same to the Executive Government; and that the members for the district and leading men in Melbourne be invited to accompany the deputation, and support the prayer of the memorial." Carried nem. con.

Proposed by Mr DIXON, seconded by Mr MURDOCH, and carried- "That a committee be appointed to draw up a circular embodying the salient points of the report of the Parliamentary Committee, and such other statistical information as may appear necessary, and such circular be sent to the members of both Houses of Parliament, and also circulated amongst the leading commercial firms in Melbourne."

Proposed by Mr FLETCHER seconded by Mr GRIFFIN, and carried- "That the deputation to be appointed to proceed to Melbourne only be instructed to press upon the Government the necessity of at once constructing a main trunk line of railway from Melbourne through the Ovens and Murray District, without referring to any particular route."

The memorial was duly drawn up, adopted, and signed, and the following deputation appointed to proceed to Melbourne on Monday next: - Messrs Thomson, Witt, Wood, Fletcher, Wallace, and De Mole. The deputation were directed to communicate with the Beechworth Shire Council, which would report to the other bodies.

The conference broke up at eight pm. , with an understanding that a similar meeting would be held annually.

During the day the members of the conference were entertained by the Mayor of Beechworth and President of tho Shire Council at a luncheon, laid at Fisher's Commercial Hotel.

end

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