New Guinea Mandates.

Hokitika Guardian, 8 June 1922, Page 3

New Guinea Mandates.

LAW \XD MINING ORDINANCES SYDNEY, May 24.

Ordinances dealing with mining, timber, and lands in the mandated territory of German New Guinea have now bee'll adopted by the Commonwealth Government. The chief interest centres in the oi dill a nee controlling mining operations. as in these regulations V/ho conditions governing prospecting for oil are included. Tbe ordinance specifically excludes shale, petroleum, and mineral oil. The right to search For and work any such deposits is absolutely reserved to the Government. In regard to gold, silver and every kind cf mineral "'(including opals and precious stones) the ordinance is framed on models of the Stalte Alining Arts, provision being made for miners’ rights, consolidated miners’ rights, scold mining leases and mining leases. Special provision ' is made for 'Lodging and sluicing leases. Business and residential sites will he obtainable. Warden's courts are | rovided for, together with the customary machinery for the regulation of mining generally. fn regard to the eonltrol of Ends, a new principle in island legislation has been adopted by the insertion ot a danse enabling tin* Governor-General to sell land in fee simple if he desires. Agricultural, pastoral, business. and residential leases may he granted from the Crown lands, all being subjei l to improvement conditions. The leases in most eases will he fer 99 years, but in the ease of pastoral leases the limit is .30 years. The annual rental wll lie fixed upon the unimproved value cf the land. A land hoard is to lie appo intd to deal with all applications for 1 r Ordinances have also been adopted for dealing with timber rights. There are large forests of valuable Itimb'r in the territory. Special rights have been conferred on the natives in regard to cutting timber and their lands a:e protected. Licenses arc to be issued for cutting timber on Crown lands. Areas Vhns conceded under the license must net exceed 5000 acres, and the licensees will he required to work sawmills on tile property. The timber ex- !

ported "ill he liable to loyalties, to be fixed hy regulation.