GOLDFIELDS REWARDS.

Mount Ida Chronicle, Volume VIII, Issue 436, 23 August 1877, Page 3

GOLDFIELDS REWARDS.

In the Goldfields Committee of the House of Representatives it was resolved: (1.) " That rewards for the discovery of payablo goldfields be given respectively in the North and South Islands, not exceeding £SOOO for eacli Island." This resolution, being a confirmation of the resolution of tho House, 20th September, 1872, docs not appear to need any special comment. (2.) " That tho' rewards be based upon population, rather than upon iho amount of gold produced." (3.) ".That no reward shall exceed £IOOO. Kewards, not exceeding in the whole £SOOO in each Island, to bo given on tho following scalo : A population of not less than fifty persons —not necessarily tho same persons—engaged with reasonable diligence on the new field for twelve months, £SO; a Population of not less than one hundred per-

sons—not necessarily the same persons — ongaged with reasonable diligence on the new field for twelve months, £500; a population of not loss than throe hundred persons —not necessarily the same persons —engaged -wjin reasonable) diligence on the new fieJdfor twelvemonths, £IOOO; —the onus of proof to rest with the. claimant to the satisfaction of the Government." tludi/r the conditions of 12th June, 1873, the basis of reward was amount of gold produced. It appears, however, to your Committee that, owing to the rivalry amongst gold-buyers, and the impossibility of proving satisfactorily the amount of produce raised in any new Goldfields that a different principle should be introduced viz., that of continued occupation by population of such new fields. Continued occupation would be the best assurance of the bona fide nature of the new field. (4.) "That the physical configuration of the country in the various Gold field districts be taken into consideration in fixing the limitation of distance constituting a new field, and that the distance be varied accordingly." That the principle of variation ot distance in the resolution of 1873 is a good one, but that there is no reason in taking the North and South Islands as the districts in which variation should be allowed. We therefore recommend that the principle of variation should be further extended, and adjusted to each mining district, and that two miles be the minimum distances from any established gold workings. (5.) " That the provisions for mining on Native lands, laid down in the regulations of 12th June, 1873 (CD and E, conditions applicable in North Island), be adhered to.' Your Committee have no remarks to make. (6.) "That an additional sum of £SOOO be placed at the disposal of the Government,, to be expended in the encouragement of prospecting for gold, and other precious minerals, by the formation of prospecting tracks, and by otherwise aiding local effort, on such conditions as will, in the opinion of the Government, secure the bona fide expenditure of the money on the object in view." Your Committee have ascertained that considerable offort is being made by local associations to develop new Goldfields, and would suggest that aid should be given to r.uch associations, by way of subsidy, of cent, per cent, upon a wage considerably below the the market value of labor paid per head on the number of men actually employed. That aid also be given by the services of Professors of the Schools of Mines being placed at the disposal of such associations, free of cost. In some instances actual approaches to, and means of exit from, new ground might, with advantage, be formed and provided in whole or in part by the Government, and be a legitimate mode of aiding the development of Goldfields. Your Committee would further recommend that the offer of reward shall hold good until otherwise ordered by the House. Dated loth August, 1877.