THE Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. Resurrexi. WEDNESDAY, JULY 2, 1879.

Thames Star, Volume X, Issue 3235, 2 July 1879, Page 2

THE Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. Resurrexi. WEDNESDAY, JULY 2, 1879.

A trcEXand gentlemen interested-in mining matters on the Thames have again met and put their heads Ipgether re the pumping question. From the report of the proceedings it would appear that a good deal of talk was indulged in, but very little towards solving the difficulty is likely to result from their cogitations. It was stated that the expense of pumping from the 400-feet level would be from £265 to £400 per month, and it was proposed that the companies within the drainage area should contribute about £200 per month. The following was the clause of the resolution affecting the gold duty:—" That the duty be guaranteed for twelve months, and that the excess of duty, if any, over expenses be handed back to the Councils, the propof' tion to be paid by each to be fixed before commencing." Whether the gold duty ia to be made the first charge, and the companies' contributions taken to make up the balance, or vice versa, is not definitely stated. We most strongly object to the gold duty being made the first charge for the support of the pump, and we are sure if the local bodies are at all favorably disposed towards a plan similar to that mooted at the Auckland conference that they will be careful to insist on the companies first paying a certain guaranteed contribution, the gold duty being taken to, make up any deficiency there may be. It is very problematical if the County will agree to give even a small portion of their gold duty again to the pumps. Tho Borough, seeing that operations are to bo confined to the 400 feet level, and no prospecting works being contemplated, might be justified in following a similar course. The lien of the County over the pumping securities is another important matter that requires consideration in the settlement of the difficulty. The County have incurred; considerable liabilities on account of the securities, and the members of tho County Council would not be doiug their duty to their constituents if they did not endeavour to

recoup the County as far as possible for the expenditure incurred in connection with the pump. Tho Council have satisfied theinselvos by tho best legal advice obtainable, that they are in a position to exercise the powers vested in thorn'aw mortgagees, and failing payment of £10,000 of interest now due, by the first of September they will reenter. The next few clays will show whr the Thames local bodies think of t3: proposals of tho Auckland mining men.