MINING BOARD.

Thames Guardian and Mining Record, Volume I, Issue 18, 27 October 1871, Page 3

MINING BOARD.

A MEETING of the Mining Board Avas held last evening. Present—Mr. A. Hays (in the chair), and Messrs. W. S. Greenville and A. Daly. The minutes of the meeting Avere read and confirmed.

On the motion of Mr. Greenville, the Board resolved itself into committee (Mr. Daly in the chair) to go over the new “ Mining Districts Bill ” for the purpose of marking the objectionable clauses, and having a petition drawn up against their passing. Clauses 9 to 44 having been gone through. Mr. Hays said he thought the best plan would be to object to them all in a lump. What he particularly objected to were the large powers conferred upon the Inspector and Warden, and the having to pay miner’s right and licensing fee also. The Chairman and Mr. Hays concurred. The Chairman said the cost of £25 for an appeal under clause 43 was far too high. Mr. Greenville and Mr. Hays assented. The latter gentleman again said it would be better to object to the whole. To go over the Act clause by clause would take a long time to do it properly. Indeed with only one copy of the Act amongst them, it was impossible to do the thing properly. He thought the resolution of Mr Wickham of the previous evening would meet the case. The Chairman and Mr. Greenville pointed out that there was no time to be lost, as the Parliamentary session was drawing to a close, and the bill would soon be either passed or shelved. It was ultimately agreed that a petition should be drawn up, embodying Mr. Wickham’s resolution of the previous night, and stating that owing to the shortness of the time it was impossible to go properly through the bill clause by clause specifying objections, the petition to be forwarded to Mr. C. O’Neill, M.H'R., by the earliest opportunity. Mr. Wickham’s resolution was as follows: “ That this Board is of opinion that the proposed Gold Mining Districts Bill, 1871, is injurious to the interests of the country at large, and oppressive to the mining interests, as it tends to lock up the ground

from bona fide occupation, makes no provision for trial by assessors, placing absolute power into the hands of the Warden and Inspectors, and deprives the miners of privileges they now enjoy under the miners’ rights. Also, that this Board considers that the bill, as it now stands, ought not to be passed.” The Secretary was then instructed to have the petition drafted by to-inorrow evening, when the Board will again meet. The Board then adjourned until Friday (this day), at 7 p.m.