THE PREMIER AND GOLDFIELDS LEGISLATION.

Mount Ida Chronicle, Volume V, Issue 284, 14 August 1874, Page 2

THE PREMIER AND GOLDFIELDS LEGISLATION.

The following memorandum has been forwarded by the Central Association to the Premier, in reply to his letter of acknowledgement published a few'weeks ago. We have much pleasure in publishing the document, which appears to be to the point. The relations of the Grovernments to the Groldfields do certainly require earnest consideration

Otago Central Mining Association Office, Naseby, July 31, 1874. The Hon. the Premier, Wellington: ; . Sir,—l am instructed by the Otago Central Association to you for your memorandum of . the 16th June, acknowledging' the receipt of the Otago Mining Conference report, of 1874.

The expression of your personal sympathy with the wants of the goldminers is particularly assuring, at a time when more than ever their position, with regard to other interests, requires careful consideration. . If it were possible to clearly define what share of legislative administration really was within the scope of the Provincial Governments, and what must necessarily be looked for at the hands of the Colonial Government, the first great step in setting at rest dissatisfaction, arising from legal uncertainty, would have been taken.

At present the miners are entangled in a defence before the Supreme Court of rights they are licensed by the Goldfields Act, of 1866, at all times to enjoy: freehold proprietors having taken action to prohibit, at their will and beck, the discoloration of a natural outlet. The case specially alluded to is the Maerewhenua River.

It is abundantly obvious that, should the position of the. riparian proprietors prove tenable, alluvial goldmining, as an industry, must be put an end to, and all such works (as are being undertaken out of the vote for water supply) be rendered comparatively valueless for their original purpose—for no industry could outlive the pressure that could be brought to bear by one hundred or more riparian proprietors, all equally clad with the same powers, be they small or great.

Another equally pressing necessity appears to be the question of river diversion, as against the suppositious interests of riparian proprietors.

The .uncertainty relative to these points is productive of a want of security being felt in goldmining ventures, which is a serious, drag upon legitimate enterprise. The Otago Central Association feel these matters possibly the more keenly, as they have undertaken to defend the miners selected for attack at their own cost. Already, on the Manuherikia, another proprietor has threatened similar proceedings which, if continued by capitalists in systematic prolonged equity, must tire out those engaged in defending rights they feel that the Government ought to point out the limits and privileges of.

The Provincial Government of Otago have made an offer to send the first case alluded to to the Appeal Court for a decision, but the miners are not aware whether Messrs. Borton and M'Master (the plaintiffs) will consent to, the proposition made. It is dearly manifest that the elementary foundations of proprietary law, as dealing with riparian rights, most pressingly demand the attention of the Colonial Government. If these could be clearly defined as existing, or as equitably amended, the minor grievances, arising chiefly out of defective regulations, might very easily be set at rest. The miners—having organised themselves into united associations for the better and more systematic expression of their position, co-relative with other interests and industries, and also their requirements in a young country, naturally'cropping up from time to time,_ while not aiming at invidious self-gra-tulation or jealousy—naturally feel very much gratification at the expression of interest you have so cordially manifested. Could it be devised by your Government how the relations of the Goldfields to the different Governments could be clearly defined, the goldminers would feel still more deeply indebted to you.

At the present time to submit any special Goldfields difficulty to the Provincial Government is to burke redress or enquiry; for the usual course appears to be to transmit such difficulty to Wellington, to be again re-sent to the local authorities—then again to filter through endless channels; so that in the end the object, too often a most desirable one, is, if not attained by less legitimate means, allowed to subside altogether. Your kindness has tempted my Association to submit this lengthened memorandum for youj; consideration. j jj ave honor to be, - Sir, " ' ... •' Your obedient servant, George Clai;ke, Secretary Central Association.