The Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR P.M. Resurrexi. FRIDAY, APRIL 16, 1875.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 1960, 16 April 1875, Page 2

The Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR P.M. Resurrexi. FRIDAY, APRIL 16, 1875.

Thb Provincial Government of Otago are oflfering a bonus of £250 for gold-saving apparatus. A s set forth in advertisments which appear in the goldfields papers, the object appears to be to secure "the use of gold-saving apparatus in connection with hydrauilic mining adapted to the < purpose of extracting gold from auriferous earth more completely than any of the machines or methods at present in use," for wnich purpose the Council have voted the sum above named as a bonus for the inventionof such aiLapparatus as may be deemed to" Mfil these conditions. The plang and proposals will be submitted to a boicly of judges, composed of experienced miners, and such other persons as his Honor the Superintendent may appoint, and in considering them the following points will be kept in view :— .1. The cost of the apparatus aa it

appears on the plan, and its portable cost and tear and wear. ;

2. The readiness with which it can be secured in any part of the tail-race, and be moved from one part to another and again secured. 3. Its adaptability to the different widths and falls of tail-races used ia different districts; to the varying quantities of water used either by choice or necessity for flushing the same; and to the different kinds of washdirfc from which gold is obtained in the Province. _ Amongst other conditions it is expected that inventors will be conversant with machines and methods now in-use, and that they will- not offer reproductions of the same, or of machines or methods which hare'fallen into disuse. Practical information on these and other points may bo obtained on application by post to the Central Mining Association at Naseby. If in the opinion of the judges any plan submitted shall, be worthy of adoption by the miners in the Province, this Government undertake to furnish copies of the same to each of the Associations in the Province, with full instructions as to the intentions of the inventor, and payment of the bonus will be determined in the following manner, payment being due within eight months from the date at ■ which the copieit>f the plans and instructions have^lbeen issued to the various Mining Associations: — By the fact" of the apparatus being used by at least twenty-five sluicing companies in the, Province, employing an average of at least five men each, for the period of six months, and the intention of the s&me companies to continue the use thereof; such fact and such intention being verified byaffirmation before a Warden of the manager or representatives of such cdinpanies. In the event of two or more plans being worthy of a trial, the Government will determine in what manner the competition shall be carried on, and the best|plan discovered. As the bonus is only intended to stimulate inventive genius, every, inventor may reapia, further benefit from his inyention, if he think fit, by taking out a patent. Plans and proposals intended for submission under this notice are to be addressed to the Gol&fields Secretary, Dunedin.

Plans and proposals will be received up to the Ist of August next. As there are in our midst a number oj^ingeniqus miners who are conversant with the mode of operations in use in America, it might be deemed worth their while to enter this competition. The bonus is a liberal one, and ought to stimulate the inventive faculties of miners to the utmost. -There is no doubt ample room for improvement in the appliances* at present in use for saving both alluvial' zn^Tc^^zgol^T~tt^C the Provincial Council of Otago -have shown that they are alive to the advantages wliich would result to their Province, by the adoption of improved methods. The result of this competition will be looked forward to with considerable interest by all who are interested in the advancement of the mining industry.

A New Zealand Gazette published last night contained proclamations delegating to Sir George Grey the Governor's powers under Various Acts, including the Goldmining Districts Act, Goldfields Act. of 1866, and the Waste Lands Act of 18581 Under these powers Sir George Grey will be able to_do something towards redeeming his promise of " galvanising new life into the Thames;" especially if it be true that the" Colonial Government have, placed £15,000 at his disposal to institute necessary works on the goldfield. Of these the most urgent we deem to be the improvement of the means of communication 6n the new goldfields areas, in order to give every facility to "prospector*^ ?ir George Grey will, however, make himself personally acquainted with ■the wants of the goldfields in a few days. ■- - . ■ ..:■■■ ■ ;-*i:-: - "