MINES AND MEN.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 856, 30 June 1910, Page 8

MINES AND MEN.

AN INTERESTING CONFERENCE. Dr. J. M. Bell, Director of the Geological Survey of the Dominion, returned from Australia by way of Hoburt by flu: Ruapehu yesterday. Whilst in Queensland he attended the conferenco of the Australian Institute of Mining Engineers, hold at Mount Morgan, at which lie read a paper on the Waihi goldfield. .From the interest evinced by those present, it was easily perceived that the profession took a very lively interest in mining matters in New Zealand. An important proposal brought forward was the establishment of a Federal Geological Survey, to be undertaken comprehensively as is done in America. This, if carried info effect, would do away with local surveys in fn-vour of a broader and more systematic survey, embracing every particular relating to milling throughout the Commonwealth and New Zealand. The preliminary arrangements were entrusted to a committee of tho leading mining men of Australasia, and Dr. Bell was asked to draw up a scheme for accomplishing the end desired, which would be submitted to the Federal Government by- tho committee. What is of importance to New Zealand is that the next conferenco is to be held on the Hauraki goldfields. The meeting would bo at Auckland on January 25' next, after which the delegates wiil spend ten days ill visiting the northern goldfields, and also the coalfields of tho Waikato. On his way back, Dr. Bell inspected the tin-mine at Mount Bishoff, tho lead and silver-mines near Zeehan and North Duwlus, and the famous copper-mine at Mount Lyell, with which works ho was much impressed.