THE Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. Resurrexi. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 31, 1879.

Thames Star, Volume X, Issue 3388, 31 October 1879, Page 2

THE Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. Resurrexi. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 31, 1879.

The duty on gold hat beta reduced sixpence per ounce, and no doubt will, in a tear or so, be abolished altogether. In principle this is a step in the right direction, snd is the course we hare'advocated for years; but there is another aspect of the question to be looked at, and one which it has assumed of late. The rerenue from this source has been paid to the local governing bodies for over two years, with, the distinct condition that it was to be devoted to goldfield'g purposes. In this community At least it has been faithfully applied— the Borough Council having given it solely to maintain the Big Pump, and the County has spent a considerable portion in opening up gold fields roads and tracks. The suggestion of Mr Sheehan, that the question of abolition be left with the localities was not a very bed one, and although miners might object to the tax, still, if the situation was put, whether they shouid pay such a rate and have it devoted to the further development of the field, or agree to another special rate to be levied for such purposes, we ara inclined to think the present tax would be submitted to under the peculiar circumstances of the Thames. If the goldmining industry is to prosper every encouragement will have to be given it, and as the local bodies are so impecunious, unless a special tac is levied we fail to see where means are to be found to do 10.