MINERS' TESTIMONIAL TO MR. BASSET,

OF TEHIDY

A meeting of miners representing every mine in the neighbourhood of Camborne was held on Monday even- ing  in   the  Assembly  Rooms  to devise steps for getting up a testimonial from the working miners of the county to Mr-   Basset,   of  Tehidy,   in recognition of that gentle- man's successful efforts   for the  abolition of the five weeks' month.   The proceedings were rather of a pre- liminary character.   Mr. W. Simms was called to the chair.

The Chairman opened the proceedings by congratu- lating the meeting that they met in that hall without any differences of opinion — a circumstance which might reasonably  lead  them  to  indulge  the hope that they would be enabled to carry out their object to a success- issue.    The events of the  last few months,   perhaps, more than those of any similar preceding period were calculated   to  benefit  the   working   miners   of   Corn- wall ;   but  at  the  same  time  he  would  observe  that there were certain special and peculiar duties which devolved  upon the miners  in consequence,   which must be  faithfully  discharged  in   order   that    the  full   benefit of the changes  of which he spoke should be derived -- (hear,  hear).      That  meeting was convened at the re-quest of  a great number  of miners for the purpose of taking  into  consideration   the  desirability  of raising a fund by voluntary subscription amongst the miners of Cornwall, for the purpose of presenting that very highly popular and deserving gentleman, Mr Basset, of Tehidy, with some small token of respect   in  recognition  of the very kind and considerate manner in which he had been pleased to advocate the cause of the miners generally (applause) — more especially in regard to his determined effort to effect the abolition of the five-weeks' month-- (applause).     And  although  that  abolition was not yet quite an accomplished fact,   still its death-warrant had been  legally  signed,  attested,  and  sealed ; and it had only a  few days' grace  in  which  to prepare itself for its final  exit  into  everlasting  oblivion.     He   congratulated the meeting upon this— (applause).    There were some who  had  not  the  courage openly  to  avow  their  hostility to the movement  which  they  were that night inaugurat- ing, who tried in all possible ways to deprecate their purpose.    It was said that Mr Basset did not desire a testimonial.    Why,  no one  ever  imagined  that  he did. Still,  it  must  be  a matter of very considerable gratifica- tion  to that  gentleman  to  know  that  his  efforts on be- half of the miners  were heartily  appreciated and thank- fully  received.     It  would  be  worse  than  idle,   it  would be cruel,   to suggest that a gentleman   holding Mr Basset's  high  position   was   actuated   otherwise   than by   motives  of  the   purest  philanthropy   in  doing  what he  had  done.      It   was  the  first   time   with one exception   —   he  referred    to   the    justly   esteemed Lord Robartes — within the memory of man, that the miners had discovered the existence of a true friend and benefactor,   and  that  in  the person of a  great  land- owner,   who had not only the will  to  do  good but the power.    This  justly  entitled   Mr. Basset to their ever- lasting  gratitude,  and  he  trusted  that their gratitude would be unmistakably shewn— (hear, hear). Let them shew, " one and all," that Cornish miners knew how to render honour to him to whom honour was due— (applause).

Mr  J.  Oliver  moved  that  a  fund should be estab- lished to be called the Basset Testimonial Fund, for the purpose of procuring for Mr Basset some token of their respect for his noble efforts for the abolition of the five- weeks month — (applause).

Mr.  Harper,  in seconding the motion, which was car- ried   unanimously,   stated  that  it was intended hereafter to call a county meeting.

Several working miners spoke with great feeling in reference to Mr Basset,   and gratitude was also ex- pressed  to  Captain  Teague who  was  the  first  to  carry Mr  Basset's idea into effect,   and  to  Mr  Henry  Rogers who promptly followed suit.

The  following  committee  was  then appointed :- Messrs S. Harper, J. Jewell, T. Row, J. Hocking, J. Champion,  J. Brunton,  T. Lavis,  W. Bartle, J. Holman, Opie,  A. Dunston,  W.  Edmonds, and  R. Kevern,  being two   each tor  Dolcoath,  North Roskear,  West Wheal Seton,  Cook's  Kitchen,   Tincroft,   and   North  Wheal Crofty.

Cheers were given for Mr and Mrs Basset, and for Captain Angove  for his kindness in lending the hall. Thanks were likewise voted to the chairman.