MINING CONFERENCE.

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 453, 12 March 1890, Page 5

MINING CONFERENCE.

Dunedin, March 7. The Mining Conference met yesterday afternoon, when there was a large attendance. The Hon. T. Fergus was elected chairman; MrJ. A. Allen, M.H.R., vicechairman. The first paper was on rope haulage, by Mr Waters, Westport Coal Company. The Inspector of Mines, Mr Gordon, then read a paper on the extraction of gold and its effect on the colony. Ho pointed out the field open tometallurgists in gold extraction, and the beneficial results of gold pioducbion. Mr Ashcroft then read a paper on mining and capital. In the evening Mr A. M. Shore read a paper on spontaneous combustion in coal mines, Mr Foord on the development of quartz reefs by the aid of electricity, Mr L. O. Beale on gold dredging in Otago, and Mr F. Evans on saving gold. Discussions on papers were postponed till Friday. Five other papers will be read and discussed. Notices of motion weregivenby Mr J. Allen: “ That mining companies and others place every fac'liby in the way cf students from schools of mines who desire to locate themselves at mine works and gain practical experience ; ” by Mr Andrew : “ That the Government be requested toappoinc a qualified mining expert whose services could be obtained by private persons or companies at a nominal charge for reports ;” by Mr Reeves : “ That it is desirable to establish an accident fund for the colony, and that the Minister of Mines take steps to obtain the surplus of the Kaitangata relief fund for that purpose.”