THE MINING CONFERENCE.

Evening Star, Issue 3058, 6 December 1872, Page 2

THE MINING CONFERENCE.

Wednesday, Deceebeh 4. It was resolved to call in legal assistance, if possible, if required. Mr Alexander moved, that this Conference is of opinion that mining leases be abolished, and that in their stead there bo substituted extended claims in proportion to the capital invested, and the number of men employed. Mr Crombik seconded the motion, which was cirried. Mr Alexander moved, that when any land is sold, the Government should reserve to themselves the power to grant permission to cut races through such land, the compensation to be fixed by arbitration. Mr Morrison disapproved altogether of arbitration. He instanced the case of Clark’s paddock, which cost the parties wishing to prospect the Gabriel’s Gully reef, L4O an acre, the greater part of which went into the pockets of the arbitrators. He was in favor qf dealing liberally with the agriculturalist, a°d he suggested tfyat a maximum price per acre be fixed. The motion was secqnded, and carried. Mr Morrison moved, that a clause be inserted in the new Goldfields Act and in thp Waste Lands Act, to provide for the discharge of tailings. Mr Crombic seconded the motion, which was carried. Clause 51 was read by the Chairman. Mr Shaw mentioned that there were auriferous spurs on Switzers likely to contain quarlz reefs upon which the Warden, despite the protests of the miners, granted agricultural leases. Mr Cromdie thought that a feature survey of the country should be made, such survey to indicate the direction of reefs, and also of streams. Such a survey would prove very useful to the Wardens. Mr Ferris moved that in the opinion of this Conference a reserve of twenty miles from the centre of each goldfield should be made, such reserve to be exempt from occupation by agriculturists. Mr Alexander moved, as an amendment, that a Commission be appointed to inquire whether lands now open, or to be opened, for settlement are auriferous, or likely to be so ; and, if such should prove the case, they should not be permitted to be occupied. Mr Grey seconded the amendment. In doing so, he wished to point out that the Goldfields Act was not carried out. That Act provided the remedy now sought to be obtained. He also objected to such large mining reserves being introduced. Mr Alexander said the Commission he suggested would be composed of one member appointed by the agriculturists, one by the miners, and one by the Government. The motion, by consent, was allowed to read as follows “That an inquiry be held among the residents of districts to ascertain the auriferous lands contained in blocks open for selection; and any land that may be found required for mining reserves, or be found auriferous, shal| be withdrawn from agricultural leasing.” The motion was again altered follows and passed :—“ That on the requisition qf a majority o£ the rftsidents of any district, ground hitherto open for agricultural leasing, be held as a mining reserve ; also that any agricultural leasehold that may be found to be auriferous, be not sold.” Mr Shaw moved—“ That previous to the conversion of any agricultural lease into a freehold, notice shall be given in the local papers of the district. The motion was seconded by Mr Alexander, and carried. —'Puapefya Times,