THE MINING CONFERENCE.

Southland Times, Issue 1978, 20 December 1872, Page 3

THE MINING CONFERENCE.

"Wednesday, Becembeb 4. Tt was resolved to call in legal assistance, if possible, if required. Mr Graj moved that in the opinion of the Conference the gold duty should be at once abolished, and that every influence to secure the accomplishment of that object be brought to bear. He considered the gold duty tax a direct robbery ; in early times it might have been required, but was now unnecessary. He next adverted to the fact that it was a tax put upon industry, and illustrated bis position by showing that a wealthy land-owner, drawing £40,000 a-year, contributed less to the Colonial reTenue than the miner who was earning a bar© subsistence. The motion was seconded by Mr Alexander. Mr Morrison said that one of the most eminent statesmen in the country had said the gold duty waa indefensible. "Why theu was it not swept away ? It was no use to go in for half-measures on Ihis point ; let the Conference urge the total and immediate abolition of tbis unjust and impolitic tax. Mr Crombie said a tax on metals was unknown in nature and ruinous in practice; enlightened nations had long ago abandoned such imposts. The motion was carried unanimously. Mr Shaw, by permission of the Conference, drew attention to the state of tbe law regarding mining on Crown lands outside the goldfields. He instanced a case beard before the Switzers Warden (Mr Wood) recently. A miner named Boldt, iv prospecting, sunk some boles on a run belonging to Mr M'Nab, at the Waikaka. That gentleman objected to mining on the land held by him under pastoral lease, and laid a complaint against Boldt. The case was first brought up at Tapanui, from which place it; was adjourned to Switzers. Evidence on both sides was adduced, and legal arguments brought »n<£er the notice of tbe Warden, who decided under clause 126 of the Goldfields Act, 3866, that the defendant was guilty of trespass, and inflicted a fine of £1, with £5 6s 6d costs, with the alternative of a month's imprisonment. It would thus be seen that prospecting for new goldfields — which the General Government was actually always offering a reward for discovering — was treated by a Goldfields Warden as a crime, and punished accordingly. The Switzers Mining Association was not aware of the facts of the case at the time, but on receiving intimation of them, wrote to Mr Bradshaw, then Secretary for the Goldfields, explaining the whole matter. That gentleman sent a reply to the effect that he considered the Warden had decided erroneously, and that clause 87 of the Goldfields Act, 1866, empowered miners to prospect on any Crown lands a bit outside of go)dfie)<3s. He concluded a very sensible speech by asking the Conference to express their opinion on the subject. He also stated that the Switzers Mining Association wished the watershed of the Waikaka annexed to the goldfields. Mr Morrison moved that the Conference recommend that the fine and costs paid by Mr Boldt be repaid, and that lie be recompensed for the trouble he has been put to. It was evident if tbe Warden was right the law was wronjj, and vice versa ; and, in the latter case, it was time it was amended. Mr Cawdwell seconded the motion, which was carried. Mr Alexander moved, that this Conference is of opinion that mining leases be abolished, and that in their stead there be substituted extended claims ia proportion to the capital invested, and the number of men employed. Mr Crombie seconded the motion, which was carried. Mr Alexander moved, that when any land is sold, the Government should reserve to themselves tbe power to grant permission to cut races through such land, tbe compensation to be fixed by arbitration. Mr Morrison disapproved altogether of arbitration. He instanced the case of Clark's paddock, which cost the parties wishing to prospect the Gabriel's Gully reef, £4*o an acre, the greater part of which went into the pockets of the arbitrators. He was in favor of dealing liberally with the agriculturist, and he suggested that a maximum price per acre be fixed. The motion was seconded, and carried. Mr Morrison moved, that a clause be inserted in the new Goldfields Act and in the Waste Lands Act, to provide for the discharge of tailings. Mr Crombie seconded the motion, which was carried. Clause 51 was read by the Chairman. Mr Shaw mentioned that there were auriferous spurs on Switzers likely to contain quartz reefs upon which the Warden, despite the protests of the miners, granted agricultural leases. Mr Crombie thought that a feature surrey of the country should be made, such survey to indicate the direction of reefs, and also of streams. Such a survey would prove very useful to the Wardens. Mr Ferris moved, that in the opinion of this Conference, a reserve of two miles from the centre of each goldfield should be made, such reserve to be exempt from occupation by agriculturists. Mr Alexander moved, as an amendment, that a Commission be appointed to inquire whether lands now open, or to be opened, for settlement are auriferous, or likely to be so ; and, if such should prove the case, they should not be permitted to be occupied. Mr Grey seconded the amendment. In doing so, he wished to point out that the Goldfields Act was not carried out. That Act provided the remedy now sought to be obtained. He also objected to such large mining reserves being introduced. Mr Alexander said the Commission he suggested would be composed of one member appointed by the agriculturists, one by the miners, and one by the Gorernment. '

The motion, by consent, was allowed to read as follows: — "That an inquiry be held among the residents of districts to ascertain the auriferous lands contained in blocks open for selection ; and any land that may be found required for mining reserves, or be found auriferous, shall be withdrawn from agricultural leasing." The motion was again altered as follows, and passed : — " That on the requisition of a majority of the residents oos(f s( any district, ground hitherto open for agricultural leasing, De held as a mining reserve ; also that any agricultural leasehold that may be found to be auriferous, be not sold." Mr Shaw moved — " That previous to the conversion of any agricultural lease into a freehold, notice shall be given in j the local papers of the district." The motion was seconded by Mr Alexander, and carried.