THE MINING CONFERENCE.

Cromwell Argus, Volume 2, Issue 80, 23 May 1871, Page 7

THE MINING CONFERENCE.

i ,o — TUESDAY, MAY 16. The Mining Conference met in Dunedin on Tuesday, the 16th iust., and continued its sittings throughout the week. We take tho following report from the Daily Tlm*s Mr Mouat was appointed Chairman on the motion of Mr Shepherd, and the Conference then proceeded to pass regulations regarding their order of business. The consideration of the Goldfields Act, 1866, and the various amendments, was entered upon section by section. A very general feeling was expressed that it is desirable in any consolidation of the Goldfields legislation, that matters not immediately connected with and separable from gold mining should be dealt with by separate and special Acts of tho Legislature. This opinion was enforced more particularly with regard to Native lands and the question ef settle, ment, which were generally adjudged not to he within the special functions of the Commission. Resolutions to this effect were given notice of by various members of the Commission for consideration at the next sitting.

Some discussion ensued as to the propriety of extending tbs provisions of the Goldfields Act to all waste lands of the Crown, without the necessity of proclaiming goldfields. The system in force in New Zealand Was contrasted with tho law in force in Victoria, where tho Mining Statute is ma le applicable iu the same way, and instead of goldfields being excepted, and set apart specially, the lands reserved for mining Were excluded from the operations of the Act. The applicability of the Victorian statute in this respect was considered, and it appeared to bo the opinion of the delegates that if Native lands were dealt with specially, no difficulty would arise ; and that it Was not the duty of the Commission to consider the consequences of these recommendations, but the duty of the Government to adapt the general legislation so far as possible in that direction. The question of the tenure of mining property) and the desirability of making it more secure by adopting tho Victorian system of issuing miners’ rights for terms of years, and of consolidated miners’ rights, met with very general approval. Various notices of motion on the subject of tenure were given. The question of the tenure of water rights seemed especially to absorb the attention of the delegates. The exception of two sluice heads of Water in favour of the holders of claims along the course creeks will no doubt give rise to serious debate and seems to bo tbe subject of some difference of opinion. Tin weight of opinion expressed seemed, however, to be, that this exception should only operate as a restriction on the original grant, not having any effect to deprive holders of water rights, who have expended capital and labour in constructing races, of any portion of the right originally granted. A very general determination was expressed in favour of limiting the power of Wardens to the powers expressly conferred by law, annulling tho discretionary power ; and it was sug. gosted that it Would be desirable to give the administrative power to a Local Board, in order to avoid giving to the Wardens the power as Well to make grants as afterwards to adjudicate Upon them. Judging from the Spirit with which the Commission have entered Upon a difficult and probably thankless task, and the evident desire to avoid entering Upon subjects not strictly within the scope of their enquiries, as Well as the general acquaintance which the delegates appear to have with the various difficulties of mining legislation, wo may confidently anticipate very valuable results from their labours. The idea of separating from purely mining legislation all questions concerning tho land laws, public works, &c., is a judicious one, and calculated to lead tbe Conference to the consideration of the subject in a calm and impartial light. The Government has placed at tho disposal of tho Commission all the latest legislation on the subject, in Victoria as well as all other countries where the mining interest has assumed any importance. Wo hope the General Assembly will adopt liberal and intelligent views with regard to the conclusions which may be arrived at by the Conference.

to propose a measure that w'ill meet the changed circumstances of affairs. The Ministry deserve credit for the attention they have paid to the matter. We know that they have carefully studied for the Victorian Blue Books, and not content with this, they employed Captain Baldwin to report on the state of mining in California. We trust the Conference will give attention to that report, especially to that portion relating to water rights. The Conference will naturally only reflect the opinions of Otago miners in minor details, but on the more comprehensive questions alluding th 6 gold-mining industry as a colonial interest, thoir views will naturally be those current amongst the class they are supposed to represent. We say suppose, because the election of delegates has been decide .1 evidently upon personal grovnds of fitness, not upon any declared opinions. Very great powers have thus been given to the members of the Conference ; and further, because goldfields interests and views are much alike throughout the Colony. We are also glad to see that at the Thames and at the West Coast g dd'iel Is the miners are alive to tile importance of making their requirements known to the Government.

We are afraid the Conference will not rise to the occasion. The millers, in electing delegates, seem to have generally considered that their duties would consist chiefly in revising the regulations. These have only recently been framed by a Board of Wardens, add act well on the Whole ; any interference with them by the new body would only lead to a system of tinkering. Such narrow duties are not required. What the Government looks for is suggestions for the better government of the goldfields, so as to promote their social, permanent, and material prosperity.