THE GOLD MONOPOLY.

Cromwell Argus, Volume V, Issue 217, 6 January 1874, Page 6

THE GOLD MONOPOLY.

INTERVIEW OF GOLD-FIELD MEMBERS WITH THE PREMIER. On Wednesday three of the gold-fields representatives—Vincent Fyke (Wakatipu), J. B. Bradshaw (Mount Bonger), and J. C. Brown (Tuapeka),—interviewed the Premier respecting the gold monopoly, and the recent unfair reduction in the price of gold. The facts of the case and the injustice which is being perpetrated on our gold producers were forcibly pointed out by these gentlemen. As a remedy, it was suggested that the Government should establish in Otago an assay office in connection with the Victorian Mint, the duty to he paid on results (i.a., sovereigns), and not on tlie crude gold. It was represented that if this course wore adopted, it would enable the gold producers to obtain a full, fair price ; for if the present buyers sought to maintain low prices, the miner could command his market by exporting his gold for coinage.

Mr V ogel expressed his concurrence gene- 1 rally with the views of the deputation, and stated that the subject had already engaged his attention. He fully sympathised with the miners, and considered that even if a certain loss accrued to Government by so doing, measures should be taken to secure a fair minimum price for gold, below which it ought not to fall. He would gladly promote the object in view. He promised that ho would at once place himself in communication with the Victorian authorities, and endeavour to obtain the establishment of a branch assay office in Dunedin, to which gold could be forwarded for assay, and if required, ; for transmission to tlie Victorian Mint. The General Government could also facilitate the •proposal to send gold through the Receivers as an interim measure, if the Provincial Go- ; vernment would undertake to make the ne- : pessary arrangements for its transmission. i He had no objection to the duty being col- | lected on coined or assayed gold in lieu of] i collecting it on crude gold. There might ! be a legal difficulty, but if so, it could pro- | bably he got over. | Mr Vogel suggested that the deputation | should wait on his Honor the Superintendent ito complete the business, which they pro i ceeded to do. (hi arriving at tlie Provincial I‘Buildings for that purpose, they were in- | formed that the Executive were sitting, and that no arrangement for a sitting could then be made. Tlie matter, therefore, now rests with the Provincial Government. —Southern ' Mercury.

A Literary Vagabond. A prisoner named Cairns, wIA is an inmate of Lawrence gaol, whore ho awaits trial at the next Criminal Sessions there, lately made an attempt to relieve the authorities of his presence by breaking out. Ho so far succeeded as to remove a few bricks from a window-sill,-—a matter which need not excite any surprise, if it be true, as we are assured it is, that the walls .are built of condemned bricks bedded in sand. But the gaoler was too vigilant for him, and his attempt at an escape only resulted in his being more closely confined. The fellow made so sure of sue cess, that, in anticipation thereof, he considerately wrote a farewell letter to the gaoler, Sergeant Titchener. This document we have seen. It is unique of its kind. At the top of the page there is a pen-and-ink drawing of a winged female holding a wreath. Underneath is the following precious effusion, addressed to “ Sergeant Titchener, Foot Constable, Lawrence” : Tuapeka, Dec. 20, 1873. TO-MORROW. What is lif, but a struggle with sorrow, A combat in which we are tried. Our lives we may lose are the morrow’; Then where is our strength and cur pride. My dear Mr Titchener—--1 am grieved to the hart to leave you, but the best of friends must part ; so must ave. I must imbrace freedom once more, and take better care of it for the future. After Christmas 1 will come and see you, believe me. Remember me to all my inquiring friends. Friends will meet, but hills and hollows will never meet. I send my best respects to you, Sargent. Believe me To Be, Yours truly disobidiint, Joins Cairns. —Southern Mercury.