MINING PRIVILEGES

Hokitika Guardian, 7 March 1933, Page 4

MINING PRIVILEGES

INCREASED COST ON FEES

COMPARISON WITH 1881 ACT.

The contrast between the fees on applications to the Warden's Court* to-day and those charged by th e 1891 Act, ais drawn up .by the late Rt. Hon. R. J. Scddon, was stressed 'by the County Chairman (M r A. J. Murdoch), i.'.ist evening when addressing a- large and representative ' gaiheriag in *»» County Chambers wlieie they had assembled to meet the Deputy urja'j-man of the Unemployment, Board (Mr J. EJe.ssep).

({To-day,” said Mr Murdoch .the prospector is called upon to pay an initial cost of £ll to obtain tk e necessary privileges, whereas in the old days they were required to pay only 165.” There were very, few men to-day who could afford to pay £ll by way of mining privileges, and this money cou]d be much better spent in equipping themselves in gear and tools, ietc. If a miner, after this initial expenditure, strikes a duffer, he is at a loss entirely.

Mr Murdoch said that this vital question had been brought befor e the notice o'f the Minister of Mines (the Hon. C. E. Macmillan), who had expressed surprise at the difference in the figures, and premised to go further into the matter, but notmng had apparently been done. The Minister had been supplied,with the figures, but the Under-Secretary (Mr' A. H. Kimble), ihad written stating that these had been mislaid, and a further copy was forwarded to him. .Since tnen, however, nothing bad been heard of the matter.

Mr Jessep said the question of f e e s was new to him, and he had been, quite unaware of the position. If he c°uld assist in any manner he would b e only too pleased. No hindrance should be placed on the man wtno is trying to regain his independence. The figures quoted by Mr Murdoch .showing the discrepancy, wer e as follow' : ■ FEES UNDER PRESENT ACT. , Ordinary claim, one acre:—Min® 1 " 3 right ss, application 3s, registration 2s, Minister’s consent (of sea beach claim) ss, Lands Department report ss, licence £1 Is. Total £2 Is. Tailing isit-e (special site) ; —Application 3s, registration 2s, Lands Department report ss, license £1 I®. Total £1 11s.

Tail race ;—Application 3s, registration 2s, Lands Department report- s<?, license £1 Is. Total £1 11s. Water race Application 3s, registration 2s, Lands Department report ss, license £1 I s . Total £1 lie I)tarn :—Application 3s, reg stration 2s, Lands Department report ss, Minister's consent £l, license £1 l<s. Tptal £2 11 s . Branch race Application 35,. registration 2s, Lands Department report ss, Minister’s consent 'ss, license £1 l<s. Total £1 16s. A grand total of £J-1 Is. FEES UNDER 1891 ACT. Extended claim (1 to 6 acres) Miner’* right 10s, license Ee, registration Is. Total 16s. Tirling-site ; —Registration Is, Tail-race:—Registration Is.' Water race (including necessary dam) b,icenr5 e ss, registration Is. Total t>s. DamNo 'fees beyond charge!? ror water-races Is. Branch r ace ; —Registration is. A grand total of £1 6s, or £9 5s less than the. amount required to be paid under the present Act.