MINING NEWS. THE MINING INDUSTRY.

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 403, 18 September 1889, Page 6

MINING NEWS. THE MINING INDUSTRY.

Wellington, September 12. The "Post" last evening devotes ifc s editorial column to criticising Mr Witheford's mining scheme. It deems his scheme a very ingenious one, though it tears that it would scarcely be found practicable to carry it out. " His scheme, Mr Wifcheford thinks," says the article, " would not interfere with private enterprise, would largely increase the production of gold, and would give employment of a suitable and reproductive character to a great many men who now lack it. We are afraid that in practical operation, the proposed partner &hip between the labourers and the State would be found a source of constant heartburning and dispute. If ground worked under such an arrangement turned out poor, the miners would very soon cease to work at 4s a day. They would declare they could not live on it, and either agitate for an increase) or seek more profitable employment. If the ground proved rich they would still less be content with mere wages of 8s per day, and would claim a large participation in the surplus profits. Gold-mining is not, we think, the sort of work which could be satisfactorily carried on by a partnership or co-operation between the State and the workman ; theie are innumorablo and probably insuperable objections to anything of the kind. While, however, we cannot but deem Mr Witheford's scheme for co-operative mining impracticable, we heartily agree with him as to the desirability of the State doing something more than it is doing now to develop the mineral resources of the colony, and ottering inducements to capital to employ in the task. We hear many complaints from the goldfields as to the very complex and in some respects obstructive character of the mining regulations. Difficulties which should not exist are put in the way of would-be claim or leaseholders, and expenses are heaped up unnecessarily. There are also considerable difficulties interposed in the way of obtaining good valid titles and facilities for propor working. Mr Withetord, we believe, brought instances of these things as they exist on the Auckland goldfields under the notice of the Goldfields Committee, and no doubt the personal practical experience of members of that Committee representing other mining districts would supply further illustrations. It cannot be denied that the Mining Department could do a very great deal to encourage enterprise in the development of the mineral resources of the colony, bub that it does nob make bhe most of its opportunities in this respect. The Goldfields Committee should endeavour to keep ib up to bhe mark, and make practical suggestions for bhe department bo carry out. If bhe way was pointed out we cannot doubt that the Department would be ready to do what is demanded of it. Mining nob only for gold bub for obher minerals musb always be one of New Zealand's greabest and mosb imporbant industries-. No labour should be too greab to promobe ibs development"

Thames, September 12. Lone Hand.— Colours of gold are still being seen in the various stopes. In the General Chute drive a good class of country prevails. New ALBURNiA&r-The Sons of Freedom reef at battery level shows about 8 or 10 inches of nico-looking quartz carrying good mineral. In the rise the quartz is kindlylooking.