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Thames Star, Volume X, Issue 3146, 19 March 1879, Page 2

It may have been observed that by a proclamation in the New Zealand Gazette No. 25, of 28th February last, " The Eegulations of Mines Act, 1874," has been brought into force in all the Provincial Districts in the Colony. As some enquiries have been made here on this subject, we may remark that this action of the Governor in Council is probably owing to the Kaitangata disaster, and does not necessarily imply that any change will be made at the Thames. The Act appears to have been more especially framed with reference to coal mines, and tliough it is now brought into force in this provincial district, there is probably no intention on the part of the Government to take further steps to enforce its provisions within the Hauraki Goldmining District. Should such be intended, however, the Governor has power under Section 4 to proclaim and define this district as a mining district under the Act, and for such district to appoint an Inspector of Mines, and until this be done, the Act will remain virtually inoperative here, except so far as relates to the employment of women, young persons and children. The clauses in part IV, regulating these matters, Lave been in operation since the passing of the Act, but we are not aware that any necessity has ever arisen to have recourse to them. As regards the other portions of the Act, it is questionable whether the Government will deem it necessary to apply them in a district whose special industry is goldmining only, unless it should appear that the powers given to the Governor to regulate mining operations under the Gold Mining Districts Act are under present circumstances clearly insufficient.