GOLDFIELDS COMMITTEE’S GENERAL REPORT.

Kumara Times, Issue 2553, 8 November 1884, Page 2

GOLDFIELDS COMMITTEE’S GENERAL REPORT.

[special to kumara times.]

Wellington, November 7, 7.20 p.m. The following is the' Goldfields and Miners Committee’s General Report, under order of reference dated Ist October, 1884: The Goldfields and Mines Committee have the honor to make the following general report. The Committee are of opinion that the charges upon mining leases are out of proportion|to their value, and should be reduced; and, further, that the conditions in regard to the employment of men upon such leases should be readjusted so as to suit the different classes of working, in order to prevent the improper holding of auriferous ground without working it. The Committee recommend that in all cases where the rent on gold mining and mineral leases remains unpaid for twelve months after due notice has been given, the lease should be can. celled, and that the ground comprised in any such lease should be re-opened for fresh application. Section 102 of the “Mines Act, 1877,” requires to be amended so that the jurisdiction of the Warden’s Court shall be more clearly and accurately defined. The Committee deem it desirable that some provision should be made for the hearing of appeals from Wardens acting in their magisterial capacity. Many of the petitions which came before the Committee are of the nature of such appeals which should be more satisfactorily beard on the spot, where necessary evidence would be easily obtainable. The Committee desire to repeat the recommendation of the Committee sitting in I,BB3—“That an act providing for mining for minerals other than gold should be prepared during the recess to apply to the North Island in the same manner as is provided by ‘The Mines Act, Act, 1877,’ for the South Island.” The export duty on gold is, in the opinion of the Committee, a most injurious and unjust tax, and should be be abolished without delay in the South (or Middle) Island, and its abolition made permissive in the North Island. The Committee desire to again urge the necessity of having the Wardens removed from one district to another, periodically; and request the Government to carry this recommendation immediately into effect wbereever it is practicable to do so. With regard to the travelling allowances made to goldfield officials, the Committee are of opinion that such allowance should he regulated upon the basis of the necessary extra expenditure incurred in each ease. ~ud should not

be computed, as at present, by a percentage on salary. The Committee believe that valuable aid to prospecting would be afforded, and great economy in the working of claims would be effected, if diamond drills were provided by the Govern, ment and furnished to the various mining centres. Such drills should be placed in charge of the local authorities, and in the first instance they should he utilised by experts, so as to insure their proper and efficient application. The Committee also desire to call tire attention of the Government to the general report adopted by the Committee in 1881, few, if any, of the recommendations in which have been given effect to; and impress on the Government the desirability, and, indeed, the necessity, of action being taken in the direction indicated therein. And, further, the Committee urges on the Government the propriety of an annual statement being made by the Minister of Mines, as was recommended by the Committee in 1883. (Signed) Vincent Pyke, Chairman. November 6, 1884,