OUR MINING EXHIBITS AT MELBOURNE.

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 289, 11 August 1888, Page 4

OUR MINING EXHIBITS AT MELBOURNE.

At last it has dawned upon the Govern meiifc thac they have been exceedingly re miss in the matter of seeing that New Zealand's auriferous and n\genfciferous wealth was fairly ropre&entod at the Centennial Exhibition opened in Melbourne last week. Complaints were made after the opening of the Exhibition that our show of golden and other precious ores was miserably inadequate and calculated to convey the impression that New Zealand was behind every other colony in mineral wealth, instead of being, as she undoubtedly is, one of the richest. The Government were so far aroused that they telegraphed to Sir James Hector, acquainting him with the complaints regarding the mining exhibits, and in explanation that gentleman has pent the following message: — "Repoit emanated from speculators here (Melbourne). Minerals not yet fully displayed ; will have complete representation ; general opinion very favourable." Sir James appeared to think the above a complete and satisfactory reply to the complaints ; but in point of fact it strengthens and confirms them. The general public may be very well pleased with the tout ensemble, of the New Zealand Court, which we believe to be one of the prettiest in the Exhibition ; but if "mining speculators " in Melbourne, who are legion at the present time, express disappointment with the show ot precious ores horn New Zealand, it i 3 convincing proof that our exhibits aie very poor indeed. A meeting of New Zealand Commissioners to the Exhibition, called for the purpose of defending themselves in the matter, has passed a resolution declaring the criticism of the mining exhibits to be " premature," as several cases for that department of the court are still unpacked. That is the merest claptiap, and a shuffling evasion of the question at issue. Anyone has but to look at the list of exhibits of ores and mining appliances from New Zealand, as published in full in another column, to be convinced that the display will be but a fraction of what it should be. The Hon. G. F. Richardson, the present Minister of Mines, has been accused of apathy and lack of interest in matters pertaining to his Department, buthehas shown commendable promptitude in offering facilities for the transmission of ores to Melbourne, on the inadequacy of the exhibits from this colony being brought under his notice, Mr Young, Secretary to the Auckland Chamber of Ccmmeice, is in receipt of the following telegram to day :—" Collector of Customs has been directed to permit export of gold ores to Melbourne Exhibition on guarantee of exporter to re-import or pay duty. — G. F. Richardson." This is a practical admission of the truth of the allegations which have been made as to the New Zealand mining exhibits, and a j proof that the Government recognise the desirability of having the gold-mining industry of the colony better represented; but the action taken, though in the light direction, scarcely goes far enough. It throws upon private enterpiise the whole responsibility of procuring, despatching and receiving the orea, and supervising the crushing, besides giving the necessary guarantee that the gross proceeds of the crushing will be handed over to the owners of the ores. Could nob the Government offer their guarantee, and have the ores crushed under the supervision of their official representatives at Melbourne ? That would be more satisfactory in every way, and, while worth much, would cost nothing. We tiust, however, that the energy and patriotism of those interested in the goldfields of Auckland district will prove equal to the occasion, and that such parcels of oro will be sent oft at once as will demonstrate to the many capitalists and mining experts now in Melbourne that New Zealand offers a most attractive field for mining enterprise. Auckland Star, August 9.