THE MINING CONFERENCE.

Mount Ida Chronicle, Volume III, Issue 200, 27 December 1872, Page 3

THE MINING CONFERENCE.

(Condensed from the 'Tuapeka Times.') Saturday, December 7. On re-assembling at 10 o'clock on Saturday morning. Mr. Ferris took the chair, the Chairman wishing to speak to a resolution. Mr. Suaw drew attention to the sale of 50 a:*res of auriferous land at Switzers.

Mr. Morrison thought that the residents of a district should have some power over the disposal of lands therein. Mr. Alexander strongly urged something being done to prevent furlure sales of the kind mentioned by Mr. Shaw. The amendment was agreed to, and the nioli<«n canifd. Mr. Mitler resumed the chair. Mr. Edgar m n-d. that in the opinion of th:s Conference it is necessary that greater publicity givim to applications for mining purp«>s s. It was resolved that the sub-committee appointed to draw up th_ report should make allusion to Mr. Edgar's motion, I'iic question of the erection of machinery was similarly dealt with. The reconsideration of the law relating to mining leases was then taken up. Mr Alexander said one of his objections against the present system of mining leases was, that whatever valid objections might be made against granting an application for such lease, the ground was locked up for at least two months. The Chairman dilated on the advantages of the acreage system. Mr. Morrison could not see. any objection to the lease system, but thought that something might be mentioned about the the rent. £2 10s. an acre was two much, and prevented ground from being taken up. The Conference adjourned till 2 o'clock and on resuming business. The Secretary for the Goldfields, and J. C. Brown, Esq., M.H.R., were introduced. The Chairman stated to Mr. Bastings that it was the opinion of some that the Government should defray the working expenses of the Otago Mining Association as it would prove a useful source of information to the Government. The Secretary for the Goldfields said he could not give a pledge on behalf of the Executive that they would do so. Mr. Allan moved, that it was desirable that the Government should subsidise tKe construction of local works, and that such subsidies should be handed over to the exclusive control of local bodies, such as progress committees, without the intervention of engineers or Government officials. The Secretary for the Goldfields said it was the intention of the Government to subsidise the efforts of lochl committees to construct useful works, if the communities taxed themselves. He was of opinion I hut the residents of goldfields h~d an < qual right to enjoy the advantages of the Road Boards grant with those in the agricultural districts, and they would hav* an opportunity of so doing. He agreed witn Mr. Allan that subsidies from the Government should be placed unreservedly in the hands of the local committee that undertook the construction of the works. Mr. Alexander disapproved of the Association recei vingany aid from the Government. Mr. Brown, M.H.R., mentioned that i* was the intention of the General Government to circulate all bills to be introduced during next session of the General Assembly three months beforehand. Mr. Crombie moved, that it was absolutely essential to the prosperity of the goldfields that sufficient commonage be declared.

Mr. Alexander seconded the motion. Mr. J. C. Brown, M.H.R., impressed on the Conference the desirability of acting in conjunction with the miners of the West Coast. The Secretary for the Goldfields intimated that early next month himself and Superintendent would visit the various goldfields of the province with the view of by personal observation, the grievances of the country. He might also state that it was his intention to take tours through the goldfields. Secretary for the Goldfields and Brown, M.H.R., here withdrew. The Conference proceeded to fix the place for the meeting of the next Conference of Delegates. A lengthy discussion ensued, much difference of opinion existing, but all agreeing that the place selected should be the locale of a newspaper and be in easy telegraphic and postal communication with. Dunedin'. Finally, it was resolved to take a ballot, whicl resulted in 4 votes being recorded for Cyde 4 for Tnapeka, and 1 for the 1 member was absent. The Chairiian gave his casting vote in favor of Cljde, which has therefore been selected as ihe place of meeting for the next, 1 Conference. The Conference then adjourned til Monday-

Monday, December 9th. The Sub-Committee met for the purpose of drawing up the report. Tuesday, December 10th. Mr. Alexander, on being called upon, read the following report (which we are obliged to condense): — REPORT. The Conference is of opinion that there exists a great necessity for altering the present laws relating to gold-mining. There are so many acts and parts of acts in operation on the goldfields, that they conflict with each other, and confase, to such an extent, that the miner, however intelligent, cannot know exactly what is law. The Conference admits the necessity of providing the miner with a law Cft legalise his calling, but is of opinion that the common law, unless in exceptional cases which may come under the bill, may be fairly applied to miners.

OCCUPAIION OF CROWN LANDS. The right and subject of occupation of crown lands for mining purposes is one ot the main objects that should be treated by a Gold Mining Bill Having carefully considered the law as it at present stands, we would endeavor to point our the evils that now exist. First then, the miners' right, as an element of title, has come under our consideration. The object or uses of the miners' right, we consider, to be a means of giving the miner a locus standi on the goldfields ; but it is, or may be used by the law as an instrument of trac ng titli to mining properties. Though the miner may have acquired such rights honestly, a lapse occurring of right, would be likely to endanger the whole title. The Conference agree that the miners' right or license confers great privelege, which it would be unwise to abolish—such as giving miners a right to vote at elections, and conferring certain other privileges. We are of opinion that it would be advantageous to adopt the system of the possessory title, with the provision that a miners' right or license may be granted for any period from one to ten years, and be made available in all parts of New Zealand. This Conference would recommend the abolition of the present system of gold-mining leases. The system of licensed holdings, as established by the Gold Mining Districts Act (Auckland) would be a good substitute both for extended claims and gold-mining leases. Iu recommending this, we do not include the clauses referring to inspectors, forfeitures, and penalties. The size of claims and number of men to be employed, we suggest, should be dealt with by regulations made under the Act. In the case of quartz reefs or lodes, the right should be given to follow such veins with all their dips, variations, and angles, to any depth, although they may enter the land adjoining.

RESIDENCE AREAS, BUSINESS SITES, &C. The Conference do not see any necessitv for altering the present system. If altered, residence areas might be extended to two acres, and the price of business licenses should be reduced to one half.

FORFEITURE AND PROTECTION. The Conference are of opinion that all cases arising under these heads can be better dealt Mith by the regulations than by being embodied in the act, but they would desire to record that forfeiture, unless under aggravated circumstances of non-compliance of the law, should not be resorted to.

DIVERSION OF STREAMS. The Conference having duly considered the above subject, find that as the law now exists, that hitherto such diversion has only been lawful in furthering one particular industry, namely, gold mining. The Waste Land Act passed in 1872, and which will soon come into operation, provides for water being diverted for other industries. The Conference quite concur with the provisions made by that Act, but it still leaves one point which has hitherto been a source of particular grievance untouched, viz., that of provision being made that two heads of water shall at all times flow down the natural bed of any creek for general use—the words general use being subject to be misconstrued.

PRIORITY OP RIGHT has been an established rule on Goldfields, and cannot be said to act unfairly. The present water rights entirely depend on prior occupation to defined rights, and such a rule we should not wish to supersede. The main points under this head which the Conference would desire to see remedied are, that a permanent license should be granted by paying a nominal sum per year for each sluice head; and they would reccommend that part VI of the Gold Mining Bill, 1872, with schedule attached be adopted in preference to existing laws (eliminating all reference to inspectors and deposit on application), and also inak ; ug the yearly rental a sum, say, 2s. 6d. We would recommend that 15 feet on each side of a race be allowed for repairs and other purposes. POLLUTION OF STREAMS, AND PROVISION FOR DISCHARGE OF TAILINGS. The law, as it at present stands, fails to make mining a legal calling. A clause should be inserted in the Bill to protect the miner in respect to defiling creeks and rivers. THE RIGHT OF ENTRY ON GROUND DEMISED BY LICENSE OR LEASE. For the better protection of the auriferous lands of the Crown, a clause might be introduced to allow the miner a right to enter at any time on such lands, by paying a deposit of a fixed sum for each acre be includes in his claim. The evil of locking up auriferous land is just beginning to be felt, and encouragement ought not to be given, to persons to take up lands in the immediate vicinity of gold workings. MINING BOARDS. The opinion of this Conference is that the

miners are the best judges themselves of the rales and regulations by which they should be bound in the prosecution of their avocation, and they would ask the Government to aopoint a Board of miners for the Province of tHa :o, t; i ho. elected by the miners from certain districts, which may be either defined by the miners or by order of the Governor in Council. That the Governor appoint from among the elected body a Chairman. ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE. The Conference, having considered carefully this subjeet, would recommend that the present system be entirely altered But, should Wardens and Wardens' Courts be considered toba indispensable, they would recommend the system proposed in the Gold Mining Bill, 1872, with a clause that, in cases where the Warden, plaintiff, or defendant may desire the assistance of assessors, that the Warden may summons them verbally from among persons in the vicinity of the Court. We would also recommend that the fees and costs given in Wardens' Courts be greatly reduced.

MINING ON PRIVATE PROPERTY. The Conference would recommend that either part of the Gold Mining Bill referring to the above subject (excluding the Inspect torship clauses), or a separate Bill, be introduced to provide for facihtating mining on private property. AGRICULTURAL LEASING. The Conference would desire to foster and facilitate settlement on the lands of the Province ; but they are of opinion that rigid enquiry ought to be now held on all lands open for agricultural leasing, and mining reserves declared where considered necessary. It would be wise to give the mining interest the benefit of the doubt of any land that may be considered auriferous, though not actually proved so—that such lands should be exempted at least for a certain number of years, SALE OF LAND ON GOLDFIELDB. The Conference would recommend that any sale of lands on Goldfields should be duly advertised in the local papers. GOLD EXPORT DUTY. The Conference would submit their approval of the course of late legislation on this subject. FREE SURVEYS FOR WATER SUPPLY. The Conference is of opinion that the Government should place at the disposal of the Miring Associations* free of charge, the survey staff, for the purpose of ascertaining the practicability of water schemes which the Associations may deem feasible; that the rules under which subsidies can now be obtained are too stringent, and instead of being £2 to £l, should be £1 to £l. FINAL. The Conference trust that the suggestions put f oi-th will meet with the concurrence of the Government, and of the people generally.

Mr. Morrison moved the adoption of the report. Mr. Ferris seconded the motion, whieh was carried unanimously. The thanks of the meeting was recorded to Mr. Alexander, for tne. time and trouble he had taken in drawing up the report. Mr. Morrison moved a vote of thanks to the Chairman, for the able manner in which he had presided over the deliberations.

Mr. Ferris seconded the motion, which was carried by acclamation. The Chairman made an eloquent speech, at the close of which he said—Gentlemen, your labors are at an end, and the Conference stands adjourned till December, 1873. The Conference then adjourned.