THE MINING CONFERENCE.

Mount Ida Chronicle, Volume V, Issue 263, 21 March 1874, Page 1 (Supplement)

THE MINING CONFERENCE.

(Condensed by the ' Cromwell Argus ' from Minutes of Proceedings.) Monday, March 2. The meeting of delegates, as convened by the Executive of the Otago Miners' Association, was opened, on Monday last, the 2nd inst., at the Town Hall, Clyde. The following gentlemen put in an appearance : —Mr. Healey, Arrow ; Mr. Sims, Clyde and Alexandra ; Mr. Ewing, St. Bathans; Mr. Forster, Moonlight and Moke Creek; Mr. Edgar, Upper Shotover ; Mr. Roberts, Mount Ida; Mr. Wragge, Switzers ; Mr. Barclay, Maerewhenua ; Mr. Colclough, Cromwell; and Mr. Buchan, Bannockburn. Mr. Henley was appointed Chairman, and Mr. Colclough, honorary Secretary. Some preliminary business having been concluded, the Conference adjourned till ten a.m. the next day. Tuesday, March 3. The matter of the Maerewhenua water pollution case was then considered; the Conference going into Committee for that purpose. A long discussion ensued, but eventually several resolutions were carried, of which the following are the gist:— Mr. Colclough proposed, and Mr. Sims seconded—" That the General Government b? ts pay the expenses of defending the action brought by Borton and M'Master against Howe and party."—Carried. Mr. Robert proposed, and it was carried—" That the Provincial Government hfi fiaUp.rl to that a petition to that end be circulated throughout the Goldfields for signature." The Chairman op Committee here read a- private telegram frora Sievwrighfc and Stout, solicitors, advising that the General Government be asked to bear expenses.

Mr. Ewing proposed, and it was carried—" That, as great delay is likely to take place before receiving an answer from the General Government, assistance be solicited from all persons interested in mining towards raising the necessary funds."

A. telegram was here sent to the Provincial Government, asking whether they were willing to bear the expense of defending the suit. It was agreed to ask Messrs. Bradshaw, Pyke, and Oliver to act as a deputation to the Provincial Government relative to the matter.

The Maerewhenua business was then postponed, pending the receipt of an answer to the telegram to the Provincial Government; and the meeting adjourned till 7,30 p=m = On resuming, the reduction by the Banks of the price of gold was taken into consideration.

Three notices of motion were given on the subject. First, by Mr. Cqlolough- " That the miners should sell their gold to one Bank, unless more than 755. per ounce were offered." Second, by Mr, ill WING—" That the Conference consider whether it i 3 possible to institute a cooperative Banking Company among the miners." Third, by Mr. Forster—" That it is desirable a Central Assay Office be established in Otago." Wednesday, March 4. The question of the price of gold was renewed. Messrs. Roberts and Suis supported Mr. CoIc!o"g«'s prspcuiUcn, «i.d .Messrs. Forster and Buchan opposed it. Eventually it was carried, with the addition of an amendment proposed by Mr SWING, to the effect that, .miners fehould be asked to sell their gold to one Bank " in all cases where they' cannot avail themselves of the arrangements made by the Government for the transmission of gold to Melbourne."

An amendment proposed by Mr Buchan, and seconded by Mr. Wragge, was lost. It was to the effect that the steps already taken by the Government, with the addition of a Central Assay Office, are sufficient to permanently raise the price of gold, and that the miners be not requested to sell their gold to any single Bank. The Conference then went into Com--1 suttee (Mr. Buchan in the chair) to j consider Mr. Ewing's motion, re the esj fcablishment of a Bank.

After some discussion, during which Mr. Healey produced a letter, and vouched for its reliability, to the effect that the Banks divided their profits from the gold,

Mr. Colclough proposed, and Mr. Sims seconded-—" That, while acknowledging the benefit that would accrue from the establishment of a Miners' Bank this Conference oonsidsr the difficulties to be insurmountable."

Mr. Healev proposed, and Mr. Forster seconded.—" That the Conference recommend that capital be raised to establish a joint-stock Miners' Bank." Amendments upon amendments were tabled, and a long discussion ensued. During it, it was suggested by Mr. Colclcugii that a deputation wait on the Agent of the Bank of New South Wales, asking him if an advance of 70s. per ounce, pending assay, could be had on alluvial gold, as on quartz gold, the actual value to be paid after assay. This was done, and the deputation reported that the Agent would be prepared to deal with aliuvial as with quartz gold, if sent in parcels of not less than ten ounces.

Mr. Colclough's original proposition was then put, and was carried. But afterwards the question was raised as to whether the Chairman should not have a easting and a deliberate vote, and as it appeared to be the desire of the meeting, it was allowed. Mr. Buchan then used this privilege, and caused the motion to be rejected. The Committee then reported progress, and Mr. Heai-et again took the chair. He proceeded to read a telegram from ike Provincial Government, as follows: " Maerewhenua Case. —The question was some time ago considered by the Executive, who decided it was inexpedient to promise Government to interfere on either side. In all probability, the question will come before the Provincial Council—A. Willis, Clerk to Executive Council" There being no comment offered, the Salter dropped. Mr. Forster's proposition for the establishment of a Central Assay Office in Otago was discussed, and eventually carried.

The reduction of the Gold Duty was the next item on the programme for consideration. A memorial to the General Government on the subject, prepared by the Executive of theOtago Miners' Association, praying for the total abolition of the duty, was adopted. The matter of the Gold Mining Bill was then brought under discussion. A motion to the eflect that the Government be asked to distribute copies of the new Bill, according to promise, three mohths before the meeting of the Assembly, was carried. This motion was proposed by Mr. Colclough; and Mr. Buchan, in seconding it, desired it to be specially noted in the minutes that for once his views were in accord with those of Mr. Colclough. Thursday, March 5. 1 Consideration of the Mining Bill was With, aii CiOHixHiuiAjv;.

Mr. Eoberis proposed, and Mr. Colclough seconded—" That miners should have confirmed to them their assumed rights to discharge tailings into rivers or watercourses, by proclamation or other-

This was carried, with the addition of these words, suggested by Mr. Sims—"or on any unoccupied Crown lands." After lunch, the Committee reported progress, and Mr. Healey resumed the chair.

The following motion was then carried, proposed by Mr. Edgar, seconded by Mr. Forster—" That this Conference take into consideration the necessity thai exists for embodying in the conditions of the Agricultural Leases to be hereafter granted, such reservations as will secure j to the miner, on reasonable terms, access to such ground as may be demised by lease on the Goldfields,' 1

The report of the Mining Conference of 1872 was then read by the Chairman, asiet it was agreed that the Delegates should make notes thereon, and reject or add to the report, as would appear desirable.

It wm resolved that the Conference recommend miners' rights to be 10s. Mr. COLCLOUGH proposed, and Mr. Sims seconded, the following resolution, which was carried, Mr. Buoean opposing: —" That all certificates for any privileges, not including water races, be presented for endorsement by the Warden, sometime within every twelve months, or sixty days therefrom, : as a guarantee for non-aban-ment, and all certificates not so endorsed to be held cancelled."

Mr. Ed gab proposed, and Mr. Buchan seconded-—" xnac the anuiiul rent payable under mining leases be reduced to 205., and that the Warden be empowered to determine all matters bearing on mining

{ Considerable discussion followed, seve- \ rai members being of opinion that leases tended to lock up the ground, and others holding that extended claims did not give scope enough. Eventually .Mr. ColCLOUGH proposed an amendment, which V'" J T " tiliiS as fo'lv wa " lhat the charge for leases be £2 10s., but on proot tb-at the ground held on lease has been fully manned during at least half of the preceding .yea*, the ehai;ge be reduced to TOs. per acre." The amendment was lost, only the mover and seconder voting for it. Friday, March, 6. Mr. Roberts proposed, and Mr. Forster seconded—" That the maximum areas to be held under mining leases be considerably enlarged, especially in quartz reef areas." The motion was carried, after some discussion.

It was agreed to recommend that sur - vev >'e«s be borne by the Government, or considerably reduced, especially in the matter of travelling expenses ; in regard (o which it was recommended that if more than one survey be made on the same journey, only the sum which would be charged tor travelling expenses for one survey be allowed Mr. Buchan proposed, Mr. Roberts seconded, and it was carried —" That objections should be allowed to the issue of

mining leases without the necessity of depositing money therewith."

A motion was also carried to the effect that special claims should be canctlled on application, if unvvorked lor four months, such cancellation to be within the power of the Warden.

On the motion of Mr EtviNG, seconded by Mr. IiOBEitTS, it was carried—" That all agricultural lease applications be settled by a Board of Enquiry, sitting as near the land applied for as possible ; that 110 hearing take place till after survey ; and that where the land is likely to be payabiy auriferous, the right which now exists to purchase at the end of three years be changed to a simple right of renewal." Messrs. Buchan, Edgar, and Sims voted against the motion.

Mr. £>ims proposed, and Mr. Forster seconded—"That residence areas be increased from on© to five acres." An amendment was, however, carried, that they be extended to two acres, only the mover avjrl seconder ?ctbig for the tion.

A motion was carried to the effect that rights to water should be granted for the purposes of irrigation, and for driving ail kinds ot machinery.

Mr. Roberts proposed, and Mr. Buchan seconded—" That certificates of licenses given for authority to construct and use water races be conclusive evidence of the title thereto., unless obtained by fraud. s'—Carried.- 5 '—Carried.-

Mr. Roberts proposed, and Mr. Sims seconded from which only should Assessors be chosen, be kept at the Courts—to be composed of practical miners only; and that each Assessor should be allowed reasonable expenses."—Carried. Saturday, March 7. A motion to the effect that the appointment of a Minister of Mines is desirable was carried.

Mr. Ewing proposed, and Mr. Roberts seconded-—" That a legal manager should be appointed far Government water races and sludge channels; who ctuld sue and be sued."—Carried*

Mr.. B'tfCHAN proposed, and Mr. Roberts seconded Mines is a necessity in this Province, to be instituted and supported by Government."—Carried.

On the motion of Mr. Ewing, seconded by Mr. Barclay, it was carried—" That the necessity for holding a miner's right for each claim be abolished, and that it be sufficient for a claim to be represented by holders of miners' rights." Mr. Bochan proposed, and Mr. Colclough seconded—"That business licenses be reduced to £1 per annum:"— Carried.

Mr. Roberts proposed, Mr. Colclough seconded, and it was carried—- " That the right to occupy land by virtue ot a business license shall have no effect as against an owner of buildings thereon, and shall not prevent a landlord frc-m taking possession of premises asd held under a tenant's business license. And that all strictly handicraft business should be sxsainpc iro:il tliy SiSOcob'ity 01 XIC/ldliig business licenses."

A motion to the effect that fireproof safes should be provided in all Court-houses i. for the eustscty of mining transfers and! documents, was carried. Mr. Colclottgh moved, -and Mr. ' Sims seconded—" That provision should be made in the new Mining Bill to prevent the waste of water after having been brought into a race, should persons desiring to rent the same be unable to agree about price; and that in such case the rental be fixed by arbitration, and the wasted water be compulsorily rented." Only two voting lor this motion, it was lost.

Mr. Colclough moved, Mr. Edgar seconded, and it was unanimously carried, —" That, upon the request ot any four persons in writing, the Warden shall have authority to order a survey or inspection of any mine for the purpose of insuring the safety of the workmen ; the expense to be borne by the holders of the mine or the applicants, as the Warden may see tit; and, further, that the Warden shall have power to enforce, under penalty, the recommendations of said surveyor or inspector."

Mr. Ewing proposed, and Mr. Buchan seconded—" That the purchase of gold on the Otago Goldfields can be conducted in a much less expensive way than at present, and that a very profitable field of operations is open for the establishment of a Bank to buy gold and lend money to a certain extent on security of mining property. That the Conference invites the attention of capitalists to the establishment of such a Bank, and pledges itself to use its influence to induce every miner who can afford it to take shares in and sell his gold to it alone."—Carried. On the motion of Mr. Roberts, seconded by Mr. Colclough, it was carried That this Conference recommends to the attention of its .Central Executive the establishment of a Miners' Joint Stock Assay and Gold-Buying Office, having central and branch offices, .to l>e instituted by associated capital,. ( raised, if possible, from those whose interests are identical with the prosperity of the Goldfields."

It was resolved to request the co-opera-tion of Goldfields members in endeavoring to have the recommendations cf the Conference attended to.

It was agreed that the Secretaries of local Associations should be ex officio members of the Otago. Mining Association for the ensuing year. On resuming at half-past seven, Mr. Miller, ot the Arrow, and Mr. iloberts, ol Kaseby, were each proposed as President of the Otago Association for the ensuing year ; and, on a ballot, the result was : Roberts, 5; Miller, 4. The former was then declared elected ~ and a vote of thanks was recorded to Mr. Miller for past exertions.

It,was agreed to leave the fixing of the time and place of next meeting of Conference to

Associations were requested to file copies of the 4 Southern Mercury.' It was arranged that the Secretary and Treasurer of the Central Association should be appointed from amongst the Association of which the newly-elected President is a member, Mr, Edgar moved, and Mr. Forster seconded, the following resolutions, which were carried:—" 1. That a salary be paid to the Secretary of the Central Association. 2. That the expenses of the said Association be borne by the local Associations. by contributions in proportion to their numbers. 3. That the amount to be determined upon shall be payable to the Central Secretary not later than Ist June, 1874. 4. That local Associations neglecting to forward the amount of their contributions be not recognised as members of the Central Body." It was then agreed that the salary of the Secretary be £2O per annum.

Mr. Colclough as Secretary, and Mr. us Cuiirniafi, were mankea tor their services; and the Conference of 1874 then terminated.