THE MINING CONFERENCE.

Evening Star, Issue 3450, 13 March 1874, Page 2

THE MINING CONFERENCE.

The following is the continuation of the Con. ferenoe s business, with the conclusion of the sittings

Miners’ Rights. —lt was resolved that the aS" rcCommcud Miuere’ rights to be ten Endorsement of Privileges, &c.—Mr Col. dough proposed—That all certificates for anv privileges, not including water-races, be sented for endorsement by the Warden some tune within every twelve months, or sixty davs therefrom, as a guarantee of non-abandonment? and all certificated hot 1 so endorsed to be fiefil nw el +i d ‘~~ Cam i ed ' Mr EJ S ,U ‘ proposed— Ihat the annual rent payable under mining leases be reduced to 20s, and that the Warden be empowered to determine all-matters bearing on mining leases. Considerable discussion followed, several members being of opinion tb»fenough t l ' t exte “ dcd claima <M not E>Vu Scope

Leases, &c.— Mr Roberts proposed—That the maximum areas to be held under mining E be considerably enlarged, especially in quartz reefs areas. _ The motion was carried after pome dtspqssion. Itww agreed to recommSS that survey fees be We By thoGtfVeiSS or considerably reduced, especially in tile matter of travelling expenses 1 ; in regard £ which it was recommended that if more fb«n one survey be made on the same journey oX the sum which would be charffedV™ iSexpenses for one survey be aUowed MSfl! ng proposed, Mr Roberts and^?°« aU carried-That objections should to the issue of miXg le ases wftbS^l 4 * special claims should be cancelled f 6Ol S 18 * tion, if uuworked for foSmSS aPphcacellatiou to be within the B HI I caa * 10 pui<mabe ftt end of tlirbb yeto* bVchan^d

t° a simple right bf renewal—Mr Sims proposed—That residence areas be increased from one to five acres. '■ An' amendment' was, however, carried, that they be extended to two acres, only the mover and seconder voting for the motion. A hiotion was carried to the effect that rights to water should be granted for the purposes of irrigation, and for driving all kinds of machinery, Mr Roberts proposed—That ceraC 11 . • . .

tlficate of licenses given for authority to conStruct and use wate-races be conclusive evidence of the title thereto, unless obtained by fraud. — Carried. Mr Roberts pioposed—That a roll of assessors, from which only assessors be chosen, be kept at the Courts, to be composed of pracvijll?6lß only : and that each assessor should be allowed reasonable expenses.—Carried.

, Ministek op Mines. — A motion to the effect that the appointment of a Minister of Mines is desirable was carried.

Government Water Races.— Mr Ewing proposed—That a legal manager should be appointed for Government water races and sludge channels, who could sue and be sued. —Gamed. School op Mines. —Mr Buchan proposed— Thata School of Mines is a necessity in this Province, to be instituted and supported by Government. —Carried.

Miners’ Rights, &c,—On the motion of Mr Ewing, seconded by Mr Barclay, it was carried —That the necessity for holding a miner’s tight for each claim be abolished, and that it be sufficient for a claim to he represented. by holders of a miner’s right. The following' resolutions were also carried That business licenses be reduced to LI per annum. That the right to occupy land by virtue of a business license shall nave no effect as againt an owner of buildings thereon, and shall not prevent a landlord from taking possession of premises and held under a tenant s business license. And that all strictly handicraft business should be exempt from the necessity of holding business licenses. That fireproof safes should be providedrin all Courthouses for the custody of mining transfers and documents, was carried. Inspecting Mines. —Mr Cololough moved, and it was unanimously carried— That upon the request of any four persons in writing the Warden shall have authority to order a survey or inspection of any mine for the purpose of insuring the safety of the workmen; the expense to be home by the holders, of the mine or the applicant, as tbg Warden may see fit; and further, that the warden shall have power to enforce under penalty the recommendations of said surveyor or inspector. Purchase of Gold. —Mr Ewing proposed— That she purchase of gold on the Otago goldfields can be conducted in a much less expen-

Present, and that a very proI”™, ‘field of Operations is open for the establishment pf a, 'hap# to, bqy gold and igim f g a gertaiu extent on security of ffinppg property, That the Conference invites %he attention of capitalists to the establishment or such a> bank, and pledges itself to use its influence to induce every miner who can afford it to take shares in and sell his gold to it alone. —Carried.

Assay Office.— On the motion of Mr Roberts, it was carried— That this Conference recommends to the attention of its Central Executive the establishment of a Miners’ Joint Stock Assay and Gold Buying Office, having central and branch offices, to be instituted by associated capital, raised, if possible, from those whose interests are identical with the prosperitv of the goldfields. “

Co-operation. —lt was resolved to request the co-operation of goldfields members in endeavoring to have the recommendations of the Cpnferenqe tg. secretaries of local Associations should be ex Qjfftcto members of the Otago Mining Association for the ensuing year. On resuming at half-past seven, Mr Miller, of the Arrow, and Mr .Roberts, of Nasehy, were each proposed as President of the Otago Association for the ensuing year; and on a ballot, the result was— Roberts, 5; Miller, 4, The former was then declared and a vote of thanks was recorded to Mr Miller for past exertions. It was agreed to leave the fixing of the time and place of next meeting of Conference to the Miners’ Executive. It was arranged that the Secretary and Treasurer of the Central Association should be appointed from amongst the Association of which the newly-elected President is a member. The Conference then terminated.