THE MINING CONFERENCE.

Evening Star, Issue 3057, 5 December 1872, Page 3

THE MINING CONFERENCE.

(BY our uwn reporter.) The conference of delegates from the various mining associations in Otago, met at three o’clock on Monday afternoon, at the Commercial Hotel, Lawrence. Nine delegates presented themselves, whose names and the associations they represent are as follows :—Arrow, Mr J. A. Miller ; Cardrona, Mr Thomas Allan ; Dunstan (including Clyde, Alexandra, Blacks, and Drybread), Mr James Alexander; Cromwell, Mr James Crombie; Teviot, Mr D. Anderson ; Switzers, Mr Ralph Shaw; Tuapeka, MrW. D. Morrison ; Waitahuna, Mr Joseph Ferris ; Table Hill, Mr William Grey. Mr Morrison proposed, and Mr Alexander seconded, that Mr J. A. Miller should take the chair. The motion was carried unanimously.

Mr Miller acknowledged gratefully the compliment the assembled delegates had paid him by electing him to preside over their deliberations. He considered that this would be an appropriate time to sketch the origin and progress of mining associations in Otago. The miners at the Arrowfirst banded themselves together, and immediately after the now notorious Gold Mining Bill, 1872, was introduced into the House of Uepreseutatives, that body asked Mr Gisborne, then a member of the Colonial Mini; try, whether the Government would receive suggestions from properly constituted meetings of miners. The reply receive! was m the affirmative, and the idea of holding a conference in oue of the principal goldfields centres began to develop. At that time there were difficulties in the way. The mining communities had followed tlie example of the Arrow in forming associations. The value of organisation was apparently Unappreciated by the miners generally, and it was thought by the Arrow Association that the task could not bo accomplished. As time progressed, however, ho was glad to say the miners gradually awoke from their lethargy—gradually saw the stern truth of tlm adage, “Heaven helps those who help themselves.” Associations in various parts of the Province were established on a firm basis, a system of communication between them was formed, the project of holding a meeting of delegates was favorably entertained and advocated, and the present meeting in Lawrence resulted. He was glad to see that even some of those mining communities which had not yet formed associations had sent representatives, as it evidenced a general desire to league and cooperate to procure the redress of general and long-suffered grievances. Mining was assuming the phase of a settled industry. Some mining claims could not ho considered permanent, but quartz reeling was forcing itself into the position of a leading branch of gold raining; sluicing was being now carried on on a scale of magnitude which assured its continuance for a lengthened period ; and the development of deep loads was only a question of time. Mining, he felt confident, would be one of the principal industries of Otago for centuries to come; would help the progress of the Province aud Colony, and conduce greatly to the prosperity of their inhabitants. It was only right thatameeting, such as he was now addressing, should be told one of its objects was the elevation of the istaiu* of the Miner—placing him on a level with his feilow-colonists. He was strongly of opinion that no Government would ignore their recommendations, and their deliberations would be productive of the greatest benefit to those they had the honor to repieacnt. He congratulated the residents qf Tuapeka. They lived in a rich goldfield, enjoying not only the comforts, but all the luxuries of civilization. Up-couutry, however, the state of affairs was different. There the people had to live in hovels, and live in a style which the inhabitants of Tuapeka could scarcely credit, were hcablc to describe it, But this was not owing to lack of energy or enterprise. There were other causes, and these pauses he hoped tlie efforts of the miners would sweep away. Mr Haughton had stated in his report that the average weekly earnings of tlie miners wore L2 12$, but this was, unfortunately, not the case. If Mr Haughton had deducted the many charges the miners are subjected to, he would have stated that the old miners’ average wages reached only LI per week. The mining associations already formed have had a good moral effect, by bringing men together, and bringing home to them the consciousness that they had a stake in the colony, and a voice in the administration of its affairs. As an illustration of this, he might say that, upon leaving the Arrow, several members of the Association of that district told him that they had not before experienced the feeling that they were units in Society. If that were the result of the existence of one such association, what he asked would be the effect of a Grand Miners’ League. Upon the labors of the delegates now assembled before him depended to a great extent the future of the miners of Otago, and it behoved them to act with judgment, and discuss fairly the questions brought under their consideration. Lot them recollect that although representing the mining interest, there were other important interests in the Colony, aud let them treat those interests with a spirit of justice. He would conclude by stating that on themselves rested the success or otherwise of their meeting, and that if their recommendation

Mr Ferris said the business license was a tax unfairly collected. The carpenter or shoemaker laboring for his bread and not keeping. goods for sale, was taxed to the same extent as the extensive merchant. In any way a direct tax upon labor was injurious to a country. The motion was carried. . The consideration of the question of the miners’ right was, after a lengthy discussion as an element of title, deferred. '.I he conference adjourned till two o clock. On resuming, clause 7 of the Goldfields Act was con dderecl. it was decided that it should read that the employe should have a lien upon the employer instead of upon the claim, A moth n was passed, that the conference recorded its opinion that sub-clause 9of clause XL should be struck out. Ihe discussion on clauses XIV., XV., and XVI. was postponed. Mr Alexander moved, and Mr Morrison seconded, that sub-clause 7 of clause XXV . be struck out. Both mover and seconder considered that permanent licenses should be issued, and that it would add to the security of tenure if the Government charged a rental for water. On sub-clauses 8 and 9 being considered, Mr Anderson said, as a raceholder, he considered he incurred expense in cutting his race in knowing what risk he was under, aud ho did not see that any alteration in the law was required. The Chairman said in New South Wales and on the Uvens in \ ictoria one sluice-head only was to be allowed to run down the natural channel. Mr Ckombie thought the diversion _of water quite as important as the construction of a rauway, and that if au Act of Parliament was required for one, ho did not see why it should not be required for tlie other. Mr Morrison confessed his inability to sec why, if the Government sold land, they should not saltwater. The squatters had got the land, and why not let the miners have tbe water. In reference to the two heads of water running down the natural channel of a creek, he objected to that proviso altogether. Races had been constructed in the Tuapeka district at a cost of L‘20,000 to his knowledge, and it was unjust that such property should run the risk of being rendered valueless at the caprice of, or to gratify the malevolence of anyone. The Chairman pointed out tbe importance of the question. 'The General Government proposed to spend L3UO,UUU in water supply, and would be very glad to receive practical suggestions on the matter, lie alluded to the great difference of opinion among the Wardens upon the question. Mr Ferris moved that the Government, in granting agricultural leases or selling lands, should retain the property in all streams, MrGuOMBiE considered it an injustice that one man or party should monopolise a stream of water.

Mr Morrison said by the same reasoning a man who fom d a ton nugget injured the community. The Conference then at five o’clock adjourned till half-past seven. On resuming business, Mr Ferris’ motion was seconded by Mr Alexander, and carried.

On the motion of Mr Alexander, seconded by Mr Ferris, it was resolved that the words “or may be,” in sub-section 9 of section XXV., ought to be struck out. It was also resolved that sub-clause 10 be struck out, and the following substitute!i in its place “ That no license issued by the Government shall be deemed to confer atitlc to the last two heads in any creek, provided the same is required for domestic purposes ; but, if once granted, is not to be withdrawn for mining or manufacturing purposes.” On the motion of Mr Alexander, clauses 88 to 91 of the Gold Mining Bill, 1872, were substituted for clause 27 of the Goldfields Act, with the exception that all reference to Inspectors was eliminated. Mr Cawdwell, delegate from Waipori, here took his seat. Mr Alexander moved that the Government charge a. rental of two shillings and sixpence per head per annum for water. Mr Mo ßßlson s-conded the motion, and suggested the addition of clause 87 of the Gold Mining Bill Mr Morrison’s suggestion ivas agreed to, and the motion passed. The Conference then adjourned till 11 o’clock the following morning.