THE Thames Guardian AND MINING RECORD. THURSDAY, OCTOBER 26, 1871.

Thames Guardian and Mining Record, Volume I, Issue 17, 26 October 1871, Page 2

THE Thames Guardian AND MINING RECORD. THURSDAY , OCTOBER 26, 1871.

The public business appears to'progfesS slowly at the Scat of Government. The Order Paper of the House of Representatives for the 20th October shows a very large accumulation of business, most of which is of an important character. What may be the fate of most of these hills it would be difficult to say.' Those affecting Auckland, as for instance, the Dock Bill and Military Reserves Bill, stood high on the list. They have been introduced by the Government, and are pretty certain to become law; as is also the Gold Mines Drainage Bill, the Goldfields District Bill, and the Sharebrokers Bill. The Goldfields Committee have reported the Goldfields District Bill with amendments. These amendments are not material, as affecting the principle, but go in the direction of giving greater security to i mining investments, and protection to miners. The constitution of a Mining Board is not provided for in the Bill. In the Sharebrokers Bill, Mr. Creighton has given notice of an important amendment on a new clause proposed by Mr. O’Neill, to the effect that no transfer shall be signed in blank, but shall set forth the name of buyer and seller, the true consideration money to be stated fully, and the transfer to be stamped. It provides that the shares shall be registered within three days from the sale or transfer, a penalty not exceeding £lO to be incurred for infringing any of these provisions. Amendments are also to be proposed effectually preventing shareholders from jobbing.

An important resolution was reported from the Goldfields Committee, to the effect s that ~ the delegation of the Governor’s powers on goldfields should be withdrawn. This was an abstract proposition and did not commit the House to any expression of policy. It is. the first step, however, towards a change in the existing system. Another equally important resolution has been come to by the same committee, namely, that the professional costs awarded in Warden’s Courts are excessive, and the attention of the Government is directed to the subject with a view to their reduction. This is a practical mode of effecting a much needed reform. If the professional costs were not so excessive, there would be. much less litigation and loss of time and money to the industrial classes. Lawyers have a professional monopoly; therefore there should he some limit placed upon their professional charges. It is clear, however, that the discretion of Warden’s cannot be trusted. In this connection, also, we would recommend a similar course. to be taken in regard to professional costs awarded in the District Courts. In the matter of winding up orders and other proceedings for winding up goldmining companies, the costs awarded to solicitors arc simply out of all proportion to the services rendered. The discretion of the District Judge has not been a wise discretion, and if wc are not misinformed, the evil has. been pointed out in Wellington in the proper quarter, and legal restraint will be placed upon the generous appreciation of the local bar felt by our worthy District Judge. These arc the questions which affect us on the goldfield more directly. Our Wellington letter does not say much regarding general politics. The Estimates are well advanced. A great battle was fought on the vote for Militia and Volunteers, which may be termed the battle of the Captains. It is wonderful to think how many ardent volunteer commanders there, are in the House. The vote passed without reduction, or an effort being made to increase the efficiency of the force. The real point now at issue is the Payment to Provinces Bill. This measure will rob Auckland of L 16,000 of current revenue for 1871, to which she was entitled on the Act of last year, and which she has appropriated. It will absorb all the goldfield revenue in future years, and leave nothing for roads and public works. Auckland has been sacrificed by the Government to political exigencies. Mr. Vogel has proposed to abate the >Bill for three months, on consideration of getting fresh taxes amounting to L 28,000. To this we take objection. Better let the crisis come and bring the Government face to face with the public. They will then discover that economy will be forced upon them. ••! r. j. <j , The Permissive Bill passed its second reading without a dissentient voice. The Brogden’s. Contract, the San Francisco Mail Service,' and Increased Taxation have yet to be fought out in the Assembly.