The Dunstan Times. FRIDAY, JANUARY 19, 1871.

Dunstan Times, Issue 509, 19 January 1872, Page 2

The Dunstan Times.

FRIDAY, JANUARY 19, 1871.

beneath the Hale of -Im Exeiasiov i cs r ciie pus is aijiii'imt cnau she s \Vonn

The progress already made in the establishment of Aiming Associations in Otago, and the evidence of earnestness of pui jH.se shewn by the promoters, w^hild.seem to indicate tint eie ‘ong’t lie movement will spread through* out the gold-tie ds, and every mining centre will have its Association, working for the c uiservuncy of local interests, and the rights of individual miners, hut bound also in a general bond of union with kindred Associations, having one general object, and and one defined line of action. The efficient and economic development of the wealth of the gold fields under judicious legislation and liberal encouragement. But to successfully accomplish this intent, it will be most essential to remember that the fundamental principles of wise mining legislation consist not in granting special favors to one or more particular classes or sections of society, but ra tiilria the dcveiopumfit of a wide and comprehensive policy, whicu any ultinnltely lend to the hm.eiit of me estiva community, to whom in 'fact the

whole u "alienated hauls of tin* pro viuce belong. it ujiiy be wifely assumed that Mining Associations will wisely avoid seeking to place unnecessiuy restrictions on other industries, the necessary adjuncts to mining, ami will not attempt to rigidly exchule from the gold-fields monied comimnies, who, by the liberal investnienr of capital, and unlimi ed employment of li'ior, may >-eek to develop the a-»«-rif-rnns wea th'now rein ining idle, on the {ilea that, in the one instance, auriferous ground, worked or nnworked, belongs of priority to the miiiet*. and in the othe •, that the enc-nutt- «=•- ment of companies fends to an ni due monopoly of vn'liable areas. But. h*»wever self evident mnv be the truism, that, what chiefly benefits theeommtinit-, lieuefi’S also the individua ; it is often. | ractica’ly ignored, and hence as lenders of a popular movement, ami the expo' ents of presumed y advance* 1 and liberal ideas, the promoters <>l Mining Associations should proiuu?g te their opinions, and, with no nu certain sound give expression to th* scope and purpose of their iiiteiule<l action. In general terms it may 1 e assumed that, as the gold-fiebls puss ess ad the essential elements for tli • attraction of labor , the laws rerefemug there'o will obrain careful revi al and amendment; so that limy may practically afford enc urageine 1 to every willing worker. Granting liberal extents of mining areas, se- j curing rights of possession, mcfuirag-i i'ig ])ro,pectieg„ and abo’ishing a.ll vexations and petty regula i -ns, Lego 'en and engendered by long con-' tinuedklttemptsai.legislative t nkeriiiig To the agricnltnrisis and c tile owm-r e neon rage in. Nt will be given nud.- r ! < quit able restrictions ; ami the digigcr 1 by the exercise of his labor anti enterprise, -will be on very tairi terms with the mm of money ' Such it is only reasonable to■sup;.o.-.e will be the chief objects of Mining Associations ; but, to thoroughly popularise the movement, and to obta.in from tlie miners as a body, .an ex pressioe of pi rfect fiti'haml confluence the as.-ocii tions already formed, ca.unot too widely disseminate their oj>iuions. There is also a subject upon which instant action seems almost impeiative. \\ r e allude to tlie proviso s of the Immigration and Public W• .rks Aimndmei.t ■ ct. it>7i; auihornsing the receiving of applications tor ;ulva'iccs of money to aid the construction or improvement of works for water snpp.y <m the gold-iie.ds. Tin; regulations prescribed arejn.it mtuie pulihc, as may be seen by reference to another <otun.il of tins | a,per. Perusal of the Schedule of lit {.illations vviil show that projectors of coiiteinpLit< d works muse register under the Mi ing Companies L tuned Liability, or Joint iStork Companies Acts. A <le-I j posit of two and a half per cent, on ; the proposed loan, muse be first provided subject to return inim-rs. certain fees on theapplioa ion being granted, T,.e present tit'e to water or ground must then be proved Particulars must bo given of the intended works, the cost and capital ; as also of vested interests tube elf c ted by the diversion or storage of water, and many subordinate items of i.iformation. The money to be advance! wi 1 not fie allowed to excee i one tli iid of the cost of construe ion of works, interest thereon will be charged at the rate of 7 per cent, per annum; and the borrowed capi'al will have to lie repaid out () f the pr >fi;s of the enterprise, to the extent of one third thereof. As security, the prcun -teis of any enterprise will have, to gi< ea iieu or moi tgage on ihe works to hr constructed; such document to In registered in the District Warden’.-. Court. Kow it will lie evident that, before any goid-Helds community, or parties of miners in combination, can avail themselves of the provision-* of tlie Art; that must fully mature plans, co-operate for tbe form lion of companies, raise the needful cq-ital, mid fulfil many preliminary obligations. Hence whatever is considered worth doing,should lie done well and promptly The Suh-C'onunissioner, Mr, C. EHaughton. will shortly make a t«uir of the gold fields, to give information and arrango the working details of Ida department. Those who are most prompt in action will doubtless ceive the first and best share of the promised benefits.