THE Grey River Argus. PUBLISHED DAILY. SATURDAY, APRIL 22, 1871.

Grey River Argus, Volume X, Issue 854, 22 April 1871, Page 2

THE Grey River Argus. PUBLISHED DAILY. SATURDAY, APRIL 22, 1871.

It was announced by a telegram from Dunedin, in our issue of yesterday, that the Provincial Government of Otago had received information of the intention of the General Government to introduce a Bill during the approaching session of the Gtneral Assembly to consolidate the various Gold Fields Act 3. It was also stated that a Mining Conference was to be held some time in May. We may state that we have for some time been in possession of information of the intention of the Government to deal with the legislation affecting the Gold Fields, and we have been given to understand, from good authority, that it is intended to create a Mining Department in the Ministry, and place the charge of the Gold Fields and Gold Fields questions in the hands of a Responsible Minister. We should be glad to find these assertions proved correct, for whether one may differ from or approve of the general policy of the Government, there can be no doubt of the necessity for Gold Fields' affairs being dealt with in a more authoritative and responsible manner than has hitherto been the case. If for only the one reason of the great and important question of water supply to the Gold Fields being required to be intelligently handled by the Government next session, the presence of a Responsible Gold Fields Minister thoroughly acquainted with the subject is iudispensible. With regard to the announcement of the intended meeting of a Mining Commission in May, we believe it to refer only to a meeting of mining delegates of the Otago Gold Fields in Dunedin, for the purpose of considering many important subjects specially relating to the mining interest in that Province, and deciding upon the course to be recommended for taking advantage of the General Government scheme of water supply. We learn from Mr W. H. Harrison, M.H.R., that he has received a communication from the Provincial Government of Otago, reque3ting to be informed of the steps taken by the County Council of Westland in this direction. We are also inforaied that on the assembling of Parliament the various representatives of miuing constituencies will be invited to unite for the purpose of adopting a line of combined action on all questions relating to the Gold Fields. From what we learn gold fields' affairs will occupy a prominent place in the business of the ensuing session.