GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE TO MINING ENTERPRISE.

Kumara Times, Issue 1653, 16 January 1882, Page 3

GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE TO MINING ENTERPRISE.

, [to the editor.] Sir —There appears to be a very long programme of necessary works drawn tip for presentation to the Hon, the Minister of Mines, all of which are deserving of attention ; only one very important item appears to have been forgotten—it is, Government assistance to bona fide mining undertakings} of which there are many in this district; and were it not for lack of the necessary capital many others Would doubtless be hndertaken. It is a well-known fact that our merchants, storekeepers, and bther business men have} during the last few years, had their resources Strained to the utmost and have perforce had to cease their individual assistance to the miners in many instances. And in other cases large mining speculations have been and are languishing for want of the necessary assistance, thereby entailing severe loss and hardships on those who have been plucky enough to go into them, besides doing serious injury to the whole district by ks it were locking up its capital, when, by a judicious expenditure on the part of the Government, this desert would Smile and blossom as the rose under its benign influence, and be a direct and indirect benefit to all. I have no doubt but we have amongst us many men of experience and energy who would willingly go into different works which would soon prove reproductive were it hot for the sad want of a little of the heedful. I think, therefore, it would he advisable on the part of our deputations to give this suggestion serious fconsiderationj and, if need be, let some things.which are not of such vital importance to us drop, for assuredly with the development of our auriferous wealth all good things will follow. I believe subsidies are a thing of the past, but I am also aware that Mr Rolleston is a gentleman of shrewd common sense who can recognise any reasonable request, and would, therefore, suggest t ic appllying for loans on fair security to consist of labor and property, or on such other terms as might be agreed upon j loans to be granted subject to the approval of authorised and experienced men appointed by Government for the purpose; I think, sir, that what I here hint dt will come home to the minds of many of our miners ; and could such d thing be possibly attained Would be gladly taken advantage of to the mutual benefit of all concerned.—l am, yours, &c:j Miner. Kumara, Jan. 16th, 1882.