GOLD DREDGING.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXII, Issue 196, 20 September 1900, Page 2

GOLD DREDGING.

GREATER SBODRITt OF CLAIMS ABKBD FOR. [PBS FBIIS3 ASSOCIATION.J Wellington, September 19. A deputation waited on the Minister for Mines th'S morning urging that tbe system of protection to dredging claims be extended and put on a footiug of greater security to owners. Tbey i»kod that the law should be altered sa as to give the Miuister power to sjrant protection, if he thought it justi-fi-ib'e, say for a period of two years, and even a fuithtir period if ci>cum■itancis warranted. A f > pros- nfc neith:ihe Minister nor the Warden had any itatutory power tj grant protection! oayond three months, which was a' <uen»c3 to the rights frequently ofj vilmbla property, tendiog to restrict; •uttrpme. They also urged that tip mile limit should te extended, and the ibandonment of the operation law al tered.—Mr. McGowan replied that tbe present law gava pjwer to tbe Waiden to grant six mouthV protection, and ipplieati >n could also be made for an extension to complete a dredge, while the Minister could grant twelve months' protection, There were two sides to the question, and he would s<t his face agaicsi thu holding of ground purely for speculative purpises. He would modify the mile frontage clause, [and he would endeavour to h.ive a Bill put through this session providiug for that difficulty, and the question of a,baadoaci«Rti would bo oousidgiu^