WARDEN SIMPSON'S REPORT.

Cromwell Argus, Volume V, Issue 236, 19 May 1874, Page 5

WARDEN SIMPSON'S REPORT.

To the Editor of the Cromwell Argus. SrK,—You would obHge if you can find space in your paper for a few remarks which I would like to make on Warden Simpson's report, as it appeared in the Cromwell Arc/us of date May 12th. First of all, in treating of the danger connected with quartz reefiug, he says that danger is often seen by the workmen, but, fearful of their services being dispensed with if they make any remark, they remain silent. I can inform Mr Simpson that his ideas of workmen are very far astray. If the wages men see that the grouud is shaky, and their employees will not allow time and timber to make it secure, they will not remain silent, but leave the work ; and I fear in many cases give their employees abusive language. Secondly, when treating on the return of gold, he says : " The return of gold cannot be said to have diminished in proportion to the population, and that can be accounted for by the fact that payable mines are gradually falling into the hands of companies, who diminish the labour as much as possible, the shareholders pocketing the surplus so caused. The individual miner is gradually becoming a mere wages man." [ can inform Mr Simpson, and the public in general, that all, or nearly all, the good alluvial claims are wronghfc by the owners. A nd with regard to quartz mining companies, nearly all the good payable claims in this district have

been owned and wrought by gold diggers. Tho Hqact of Oak has been one of the richest quartz claims in Otago, and it was taken up by six .working minera, each and all of whom are earning'their living by gold digging. They got the company registered under the Limited Liability Act; but no one sold shares for a considerable time, and the claim certainly did pay Well; but since shares have been sold to those who are termed capitalists, I am inclined to think that the dividends, if any, must have been very small. I may here mention that a few of the quartz claims in the district are paying woll at present; the Cromwell Co. 's claim at Bendigo, for instance. The Young Australian claim on tho Carrick is paying well, and it is owned by two working miners. With regard to the individual miner becoming a mere wages man, the statement is simply nonsense. The miuers working for wages on the Carrick Rauge have done more towards the development of the place by way of prospecting, than all other classes of men put together. In the last place, Mr Simpson has stated in his report that the only new reefing companies startedduring the year are the Reliance and Energetic, both on the Cromwell reef. I fear it is doubtful about them being on the Cromwell reef. However, 1 can inform the public of five new companies on the Carrick Range that have started during the year ; namely, the Royal Standard, the Leader, the Kohiuoor, the United Carrick Range Company, and the Try Again. The proprietors of all these new reefs are working miners. 1 may mention there was an autimouy reef taken up some nine or ten months ago, and the company have sent three or four tons of the antimony Home to ascertain its real value. 1 am, &c, A Wages Man. Carrickton, May 15, 1874.