REPORT OF THE GOLDFIELDS COMMITTEE.

Kumara Times, Issue 1535, 29 August 1881, Page 2

REPORT OF THE GOLDFIELDS COMMITTEE.

The Wellington correspondent.of the Dunedin Morning Herald supplied that journal with the Goldfields Committee’* general report, which is as follows j The House having by resolution extended the powers and functions of the Goldfields Committee beyond those originally contained in the order of reference, by adding thereto “ that the Goldfields Committee be empowered .to take into consideration all matters affecting the welfare of goldfields and to report to the House thereon,’* the Committee have the honor to report a* follows:

1. That in the opinion of the Committee the Mines Department has failed to give that satisfaction in the raining districts which it was hoped would result when the portfolio was created* 2. That this is not to be attributed to any disinclination on the part of the individual Ministers from time to time in charge of the Department to further mining interests, nor to the want of a •full appreciation of the value and importance of gold mining, but to the ; fact that other ministerial duties have always engrossed, and continue to occupy, his full time and attention. 3. That the recommendation made by the Royal Commission for the promotion of local industries on the tion of fostering and encouraging mining for gold and other minerals are most valuable, and ought to be given practical effect to by the Government. 4. That it is desirable the Government should also take prompt action iu assisting the further developments of the goldfields by—(l) aiding the construction of water-races; (2) by openup roads and works with the interior? of the country with the gold mining districts; (3) by offering rewards under certain conditions and restrictions for the discovery of new goldfields; (4) by encouraging and assisting prospecting; (5). by simplifying, the administration of the law in tW several courts of law ; (6) by reducing the fees payable in order to. obtain and protect mining rights under the: Mines , Act, and the rules and regulations framed thereunder; (7) by charging ~it. minimum rate for the.water supplied their several races; (8) by reducing the charge imposed upon miners’ rights to half the present amount; (9) ; thering the efforts of companies', 1 prospectors, and others by the supply of all information obtainable, from California, Australia, and ocher mining countries, and by the encouragement and-estab-lishment of museums and schools of mines throughout the Colbny, ‘‘-Sffd mineralogical professorships -iif connection therewith.

5. That the County ancT Borough Councils and Road Boards in,4hb gold** fields districts have never been with adequate means for the s mainteA? s ance of local government,' while th& mining population have been alone subjected to heavy special taxation which increases in proportion to their earnings. 6. That steps should be taken to relieve the miners from special taxation, and to provide legitimate means of revenue falling equitably upon the population of these local bodiek.: 0 7. That the gold duty should be gral; finally reduced and ultimately abolished. 8. That the position of many of the local bodies in these districts is exceptional, being burdened with; main bridges, and ferries, which they are obliged to maintain out of tbeirdiipited local resources, whilst other districts are. provided with railways and means.of communication maintained at the expense of the Colony.

9. That until this inequality beremedied, local bodies in, many of tbe : goldfields districts will be unable to perform their duty in assisting , the efforts of the inhabitants to develop'the resources of the district and Colony, 10. That two more diamond-drill boring machines should be procured by the Government, the use of which should be given to the local bodies at a minimum charge sufficient to pay interest on the original rate of cost. 11. That with a view to the amelioration of the mining community, and to afford greater facilities than exist at present for opening new goldfields for

the employment of labour and advancement of enterprise, and generally for the more profitable administration of the government in connection with the goldfields of the Colony, a commission of competent persons not connected with the administration of goldfields, should be appointed during the recess to inquire into the necessities and requirements of the gold mining districts, and $0 report to the Government before the mjxt meeting of Parliament.