PARLIAMENTARY.

Kumara Times, Issue 3022, 10 July 1886, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

[united press association.] HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Tuesday, July 6. MINING STATEMENT. In the House this evening, the Hon. Mr Lumach made the Mining Statement. lie began by impressing on members the irapditance of other mineral products than gold and coal, to which attemion in the past had been solely devoted, and he reraaiked that one-fifth of the total exports of the colony were in minerals. Seven millions of capiial was invested in this industry by 451 companies, besides the value of the works, such as water-races undertaken by the State. There were 11,173 gold-miners in the colony, or 856 men less than last year. The produce of gold was greater every year. The quartz-mining industry was receiv. ing greater attention. The earnings of ihr miners last year showed an increase of £o Ids per man. The gross earnings t >r till' y,-'. r Is ,iSO 5s jt, ;■ The Knrnara and \Vitimet races gave iJol ye at ill pet ccai lie regretted

the failure of the La Monte process in the north, which was attributable to the want of proper fluxes. There was, he urged, a vast undeveloped field in the Thames district which it would be easier to work than hunting for gold in Western Australia. There were 3000 Chinese on the goldfields, who produced one-sixth of the total quantity of gold obtained during the last year. A very favorable account of the South Westland part of the colony is given, and the Minister says there is 772,000 acres of good land fit for settlement from the Haast to Ross.” In concluding his statement the Minister said he had come to the conclusion that all waier-races, drainage and sludge-channels should be under the control of the local bodies. With that view he had communicated with them, and negotiations were still pending. Should any agreement be arrived at it would only be upon the understanding that the moneys necessary to repair or complete any of these works should be estimated and fixed and be forthcoming from the State from time to time over a reasonable period, and beyond this liability of the Government the responsibility of Government would cease altogether, in respect to any such work that may be banded over to a local body. Government consider that the more this proposal can be acted upon by committees, the more the system of local government will be strengthened, and the people will be enabled to control and manage their most important works, not alone for the benefit of themselves but also of their respective districts. Thursday, July 8. On the House resuming, Mr Beetham asked, without notice, whether the time could be extended for sending in the voting papers of the Government Insurance Association. Sir R. Stout said that there was no power to do so. The amendments made by the Council in the Mines Act were agreed to. LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Thursday, July 8. The Council in the evening passed the Municipal Corporations Bill with amendments, and further considered the Local Bodies Loans Bill, adjourning at 9.5 p.m. Friday, July 9. Xu the Council to-day, the second reading of the East and West Coast Railway Bill was carried by 25 to 3.