MINING CONFERENCE.

Tuapeka Times, Volume V, Issue 253, 5 December 1872, Page 7

MINING CONFERENCE.

! Monday, Dicsmber 2. T . At tb^ o'clock punctualljv^the.following delegates from the various associations iuunfa, inlet iti' tfte^Ctomraercial Hotel v-*- r ■ '•QBx:w. A. Miller, of .Axrowtown ; Mr., Ralph. iShaw* Switzers ; Mr. David Anderson, Kox : burgh : Mr. Thomas Allan, Cardrona j ' Mr 'James * Alexand«r->( Dunstan, , Clyde, Alex-, tftndra, Blacks! and jDrybread); , Mr. Joseph Ferris, Wuwxnha'}' Mr. Wm. Grajr,' Table ' TfrH ;' 'Mr. ' James- Otdmbie,' (CroimnreJl ; Mr.' > Jciln MorfX9on.<wfd ( f^, first, thjng .neces^. ■ sm^y^or jtne meeting to d,o, was to propose a " Chakman, 'afld 3fn' 'looking round tfie room, witji the'metoory'6f th6fpa9t' ) befofe him, he 'thbiight- the 'member :for the..^rrpw- i Mr. 1 Milled, the gentleman most worthy of the .pWtion of chairman. From what he had' f . seen of Mr/ r Mmferj'Tie beWved him f it6^be weU adapted fojp the post. •> '-"li^l ir:i".v i'! 'Mr: ] Alp^andet Ohad- ' much v pleasure rjn, sec6nding.,iihje, preposition. - .To .Mr,., Miller and the .Arrow Association were due great' praise fdr'the'-pHicky manner in which they had, acted •in'bringing th|e various associations throughout the province to wJWtthey ar& 1 ' Mr. Miller thanked the delegates for the honor they had conferred upon him. In appointing huh Chaixman^ they "were doubtless aware that' he would" have a great deal : to contend with. It; might' bs , necessary for him 1 at time 3 .during the heat of discussion to put a check upon ' them.'. He would, therefore, trust; to their forbearance, and would endeavor to conduct their meetings to the best of his ability. A. resume of the origin of the late movement in the. formation of mining associations, might not be out of place, he thought, in opening the conference;'' A meeting of delegates from the various mining centres of Otago, was Jfjrat suggested, „by the .Arrow .Association about twelve months ago, when the new Gold Mining Bill' was' being discussed. That Association wrote, asking the Hon." Mr. Grisborne if the General Government would receive, suggestions .from it, ,aiid received p, reply in the .affirmative. The members l of thai Association then thought it would be advisable to 'call a meeting of • delegates' from all parj;s of , the province ; but, looking round about them, a great difficulty presented itself. They found that .there were but few associations formed, and .without these it would be almost impossible to get up a meeting. He was glad, however, to find associations now formed in nearly every district of the province, and delegates present from so many places — even from places where associations had not been formed. The latter fact alone, he considered, showed the desire of the miners to have their grievances made known and their rights obtained. The mining population of Otago was becoming a settled community. It is true their claims are not so permanent and fixed as farms, but they were becoming daily more so than they had been. There were alluvial ground and quartz reefs in the province which "would last for centuries ;' and it was only right that the mining community should meet together as they were doing, with a view of bettering their condition. Their meeting had been pooh-poohed by certain parties. It was only the other day he was asked whether he thought anything bat h imbug" would come lof their meeting. There were some who looked upon the miners as nothing but nondescripts — a body of men running about the country. He would rather look upon the miners' associations as like unto the safety valve of a steam engine. It rested he considered with the delegates to direct this power which had been put into their hands, and he trusted they would do so wisely and well. As to the Government, whatever their opinion may be, he could not believe that they would ignore the recommendations of this Conference.' It would be a weak Government~that would do such a thing. Mining . had' now assumed such extended proportions — nearly all the province being a goldfield of unlimited richness — that any recommendations from the miners as a body -would, he believed, be gladly accepted by the Government. Here, in Tuapeka, it may be said the inhabitants live in a rich goldfield, with all the comforts of civilization ; but let them go up-country and witness the hovels the miners are obliged to live in, and observe the contrast. And why was this? It was not owing to a want of energy on the part of the miners ; but it was owing to faulty legislation entailing as it did an increasing litigation, causing dissatisfaction and a large expense in the employment of professional men to settle fining disputes. What was really wanted was a Court of Arbitration. The Government was greatly at fault in not obviating some of the many grievances under 1 which they suffered. He might state that £1 was the average weekly earnings of the miner, and not £2 12s as. Mr. Haughton had stated in his report. ' Mr. Haughton had omitted many important charges wMch he should have deducted. His calculations were based on the successful year of the Caledonian mine, and he made no allowance for the large sum of money expended on machinery, &c, which brought the average earnings of the miner below £1 a- week. The mining associations' which had been established had already done a great deal of good 'in more ways than, one. In some outlying places they have had a good moral effect by bringing men' together, and making them feel they had a say in the affairs of the country. ' Oh leaving the Arrow, some of the members of the Association told him they had not before felt themselves to be units in society ; and if the effect was so visible in one small association, how 'much more so would 'it be if all the associations amalgamated,, having one common end in view. Upon the present gathering, he ■ believed, depended the great future of the miners of this province. Many ]k>int3 would possibly arise during their deliberation, which would require all the judgment they could -bring to bear upon them. He would say do your best with a desire to act fairly tball classes. ' Whilstyou|admitthatthe mining interest is permanent, do not forget that there are other interests not less permanent amongst you, and so act on a fair principle of justice towards all classes' li they backed their cause, by sound' arguments', he felt convinced that the Government Would give their suggestions that serious considerari tion they deserved., None, but : a , wea^ •government, he repeated, would ignore.thtir deliberations. ' The, Chairman .concluded an eloquent address, by declaring the confer"- '■ ence open for the transaction of business : Mr. Anderson proposed that, Mr. Morrisonact as Secretary to the conference. ■ , \ ■■ ' The proposition was seconded. Mr. Morrison said he was' afraid he would not be - able to give' sufficient time' to the business required o£ him as' Secretary, other; wise he wpjuJcl gladly % comply with, the wishes of the Conference. , » ' _ ' Mr. Ferguson, who was reporting for the' Tuapkka. Times, said he had no doubt he would.be able to tender Mr. Morrison everyassistance. Mr. Kerr would .be. present to report all future meetings, ■ and it would be an easy matter for him to take the minutes and conduct any correspondence required. Upon this representation Mr. - Morrison ac- < •cepted theoffic^., ; , • , \ i , , j Mr, it would be unnecessary for him to enlarge' uj)dn the * duties inquired of them as raining delegates; The benefits fe> be- dwiyed frt«J their meetings he. con-

sidered, would not only be political, but OTflinL as) thflir OhniT""^ .jhown* wid. the result obtained, he hoped, would show this to Ibe the case. He admitted that sometimes in going to Dunedin, he felt ashamed to be aj gold miner when he saw the way in which that industry was looked upon, there. The Dnnedin people looked upon the goldfields''population A3 if theytwerenot wanted ; and were-^Jwi ought -tor b&4-a fit prey for being devoured, as an • eagle with , a dove. ( Still, notwithstanding all that, he felt cbmplimentedihat'ihey shduld do him the honor' of electing' him' Secretary, On the ■ motion . of . Mr. Alexander, the Standing , Orders of the Arrow Association, werk'then adopted for, the regulations of the induct of ih'e r busin'ess with a few.emendationsj after' which, the most suitable hours of< meeting were discussed. • , ii , ; > . , Mr. Anderson proposed that . the. meetings be held from 2. to 6, and 8 to 16. ' Mr. Alexander seconded. ' ' ■ jMr Gre|y moved an amendment, that the hours' ba 10 to I*2 and; 2to 6. Mr; B. iShaw proposed , another amendment/ that the, hours be from 10, to 1, and from 31 till the business was finished. , l^r. Morrison secdhded. ' ' ' Mr . Grey ' 4 amendment that the hours of meeting be, between 10 and 12, and 2 and 6, was carried. Mr. ' Alexander jmoved, that any notice of, motidn musiJ be given in' writing before each sitting of the Conference, and that the same be read by Secretary to the members before rising. , r , ' , The^motion was seconded and carried. ,The' question of admitting the outside 'public, 1 to 1 the deliberations of the Conference was raised by Mr. Ferris. • ' Mr. Grey -thought it would be unadvisable to make it a hole and corner meeting. Mr. ' Alexander moved that any delegate shall' be entitled to admit two friends. Mr. Crom^ie. quite agreed, .and seconded the proposition. Carried. , -,Qn the motion of Sir. Alexander, it was , agreed to. send a telegram to the Colonial Secretary, ; asking if dny suggestions made by' tiie O&nferenee Tcpiild ;\>e entertained bythe Government with regard to a new Goldfields BUI and any industry affecting the goldfields of Otago. ,' ' " ' Mr. Crpnibie proposed that the Goldfields Act of 1866 and Amendment Acts be the first subjects of discussion. . He, thought it would be advisable to read the Acts over clause by clause, and strike out and add whatever the Conference thought proper. Mr. Grey seconded. Carried unanimously. Mr. Shaw proposed that the next subject for discussion should be the present agricultural leasing system. Mr. Alexander seconded the motion, which -was carxisd unanimously. Mr Alexander proposed that the formation of a provincial mining association be next taken into consideration. The motion was seconded by Mr. Ferris, and carried unanimously. The Chairman suggested that each delegate subscribe a small sum as the nucleus of a fund, and elect a Treasurer. Mr. Alexander was elected Treasurer. On the motion of Mr. Shaw, the Conference adjourned till Tuesday, at 10 o'clock. Tuesday, December 3 The Chairman said the first subject to be considered was the Gold Mining Act. He read the various clauses until those referring to miners' rights were arrived at. Mr. Ferris moved that miners' rights issued be available for the whole colony, without regard to the provinces in which they were issued. Mr. Morrison seconded the motion, and it was carried unanimously. Mr. Morrison moved that miners' rights should be granted for any period from one month to five years. Mr. Crombie seconded the motion. Mr. Shaw said, if miners' rights were issued for one month, there would be an increase in the staff of goldfields clerks. _ •Mr. AlexamiermbvedtliairtßeworcP7«ar^ be substituted for the word " month." The amendment was put and carried: Mr. Alexandermoved that business licenses be reduced to £2 10s. per annum. The Conference represented only miners ; but he thought the business people ought to have their interests considered, as they were interested and dependent on mining. Mr. Ferris said the business license tax was not fairly collected ; as, for instance, a carpenter or shoemaker, working at his trade, was taxed the same as a large storekeeper who did a r trade of thousands a year. Mr. Crombie disapproved of a direct tax upon labor. ' The motion was carried. A discussion arose as to the miners' rights forming an element of title, and the consideration of the matter was postponed. , The Conference then adjourned till 2 o'clock. '< On resuming, clause 7 was amended to read thai the employes have a claim upon the employer, instead of upon the claim, as at present. Mr. Crombie drew attention to the question of defiling streams. Anyone at present in the_ Taisri or Tokomairiro could prevent mining in the up-country districts. The Conference recorded its opinion that sub-clause 9, of clause 11, should be struck out. • ; The consideration of clauses XIV., XV., an.l XVI., and XVII., was deferred. Clause XXI. was then read. Mr - Anderson suggested that the width allowed on. each side oi a water race should <' be extended to ten feet. . „ Mr. Crombie would like to see a perpetual demise of certain lands alongside races. Mr. Alexander movedi that the form of license should be in the form of Schedule C in' the Gold-Mining Bill, 1872; j, Mr, Morrison objected altogether to the clauses relating to surveyors If he wanted a surveyor to' go to the Blue' Spur he wouldhave to pay 4 gurtieas. -He considered the survey system as levying blackmail upon the miners. •He pointed out that all the large water races were constructed without the aid of surveyors or engineers', 'and had yet stood all tests. ■ He also objected to thei discretionary powers of the, Warden. ' Mr. Alexander amended his motion to •lead: 7 be struck out/ and ,that permanent 'licenses for' water be "' •' ■ ; < .' 'Mr. Morrison seconded the motion, fcrid it was 'carried. Sub-clauses 8 and 9 were then considered. . Mr. CJrombie , observed that, although not a rapeholder, he would like to see. justice done to water proprietors \ and would like to see a measure which would 'prevent.a race •being rendered valueless by thecapriceof an adventurer-. , ,v f w , . -Mr. Anderson remarked, that as a raceholder, he was quite willing to hold his property under the present tenure. When he cut his 1 take he was aware of, and was now quite willing to accept all risks The Chairman mentioned that in New South Wales, and also in the Ovens, Victoria, it was compulsory that one head of water should run in its natural channel. : Mr Crombie said it required a special ' c < f Par ivnent to construct a railway, aud he did not see why, a man wishing to divert wjfter, should, not also procure an Act of 'Parliament. „ Mr, Shaw referred to a case, upon which 4..,, ' . V '" " ' '

Mr Warden Wood adjudicated. A party wer«4aking »lot of water from a creek, and some party took up a claim down this creek. This pMty applted that two heads should come down for their use. When the Warden came on the ground, he found but a few inches of water, and declared it was not a creek within, tke, meaning cf the act. 1 ' Mr. Morrison did not see why, if land was Bold;: the. water Should not be disposed of . If the squatters had the land, let the miners occupy the' water. He pointed out that as much as £20,000 had been expended on the construction bf races, and it would be hard indeed if after that expenditure any mere adventurer could come and render the races valueless, as might be the case if it was ordered that two >eads of water should flow .down the natural channel. The Chairman observed that this was a most important point. The General Govern.ment intended to spend £300,000 on water supply, and would be glad to receive any practical suggestions towards carrying that intention out. ' ■ Mr. Ferris moved, that in granting agricultural leases or selling land the Government should reserve all streams. Mr. Crombie said it would be an injustice to allow water to be monopolised. Mr. Morrison said that it would be no injustice to the community if a man found a jton nugget and refused to divide it with everybody. The meeting then adjourned till half-past 7 o'clock. At the time of meeting, Mr. Ferris' motion was seconded by Mr. Alexander and carried. In sub clause 9, the words "or may be " were ordered to be struck out. It Was decided that sub-section 1 0 be struck out, and the following substituted: "That no license granted for the diversion of water from any water course shall be deemed to confer a title to the last two heads, in case the same is required for domestic purposes ; but, if once granted, it shall not be withdrawn for mining or manufacturing purposes.*' The Chairman read the following telegram from Mf. Waterjiouse, -Premier :— •• The Government will be glad to receive and entertain any suggestions for new Goldfields Bill. The Government have already issued instructions for new bill, which, it is anticipated, will be prepared by Messrs Haggitt, Mouat, and Shepherd " ivlr. Morrison alluded to the space allowed on each side of a water race, for repairs, cleaning out, &c In the Waste Lands Act, 1872, it was provided that 7 feet on each side shouid be allowed He thought 15 feet not too much. The land where races were carried through was generally of little value, and he could not conceive of any interests antagonistic. (Mr. Samuel Caudwell representing Waipori here arrived, and took his seat at the Confereace.) Mr. Morrison explained that he did not intend by this motion that races shouid be excluded from coming within the 15 feet he had mentioned. The motion was carried. Mr. Alexander moved, that sections 88 to 91 of the Gold Mining Bill be substituted for clause 27 of the Goldfields Act, eliminating all reference to the Inspectors. Mr Alexander moved, the Government charge half-a-crown per sluice head for water per annum Mr. Morrison seconded the motion, and suggested the addition of clause 87 of the ' Gold Mining Bill, 1872. The addition was accepted, and the motion passed. TheConferencethenadjournedtothefollowing morning, at ten o'clock.