The minister of Mines and the Bonus Question.

Te Aroha News, Volume IV, Issue 199, 16 April 1887, Page 4

The minister of Mines and the Bonus Question.

The Hod. Mr Larnaob has been giving considerable attention to the subject of quartz mining during his visit here. He was met on arriving by Mr A. J. Cadman, M.H.R., who has done everything possible to advance the interests of the field, and on this occasion pointed out its requirements to the Minister of Mines. Coromandel just now ocoupies a unique position. Although its gold deposits are known to be rich, it has not had the same proportionate amount oi work done to develop its resources as the Thames and Upper Thames districts. The moet influential Auckland men, bunk interests, &c, have probably been more or less instrumental in directing a continued stream of capital to the latter fields, Coromandel mining matters were for a time overshadowed by the Green Harp swindle, but when the same piece of ground (now Coromandel Co.'c) shortly afterwards paid £40,000 in dividends, it had the effect of > proving that the magnificent specimens displayed by the Green Harp shareholders were the genuine product of the ground. Still the district has been badly treated by governments and by companies. The best land has been persistently locked up year after year, even the old Ureen Harp, or Union Beach ground, was only worked to 180 feet in depth. Auckland mining companies have neither had the inclination nor the available capital to prosecute deep-sinking works. Those who started to do pit work hav<) seldom done more than the preliminaries of erecting machinery and squaring up the mine, and then without lifting much quartz they stop operating. With lodes having such good records as those of Coromandel, requiring only capital to ensure success, it is pleasing to see that two English companies, the Kapanga and Coromandel, have now made a fair etart, thin auriferous district having been selected as the locality for the expenditure of English capital, The Hon. Mr Larnach has trom the first opening of negotiations taken a warm interest in the tormation of these companies, and as their being worked successfully will attract further capital, the public are deeply interested in the issue. Theee Wo mines working of course give two chances to English people, but it is thought that there may yet be other companies formed if the mining spirit has not weakened down too much. With n view to facilitate the organising of such, it is suggested that the Mines Department might arrange to give a bonus of £1,000 for every £20,000 brought into the colony to develop its mineral wealth, and in order to ascertain the feelings of the Minister of Mineß on this Bubject, Captain Hodge and Mr Witheford waited on the above gentleman. There were al^o present : A. J. Cadraan, E«q. (M.H.R ), Mr Gordon (Mining Engineer), Mr Mitchell, Mr McLaren and Mr Gatland. The question was fully discussed. At first Mr Larnach did not approve of the proposal, but subsequently he appeared to favour the idea. Captain Hodge explained that he sought the information for his futura guidance, ac if it was decidod to work ground which required heavy machinery, it would encourage people to put their money into it were it known that Government would give a measure of support, although the amount mentioned would not in itself be so great a consideration. Mr Witheford strongly advocated the bonus aa being a matter of gain and not loss to the colony. He thought that the Minister of Mines would be supported by his colleagues in allowing such, particularly by the Hon. Mr Ballanco, as a prosperous gold field provided the best market in the worid for Eetfciers' produce, and the special eettlerB at tho Bay of Islands would participate with others in its benefits, Mr Larnach said that, speaking for himself, he would be in favour of granting such, providing the Auckland members would support him in doing so. Mr Withefori undertook to get their promise to support bonuses of £1,000 for every £20,000 of foreign capital expended in the development of ourniineral resources, and thisterminated the interview.