Wednesday, December 4.

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

Wednesday, December 4.

It was resolved to call in legal assistance, if possible, if required. Mr. Alexander 4inoved, that this Conference is of opinion that mining leases be abolished, and thatin their stead there be substituted extended claims in proportion to the capital invested, and the number of men employed. Mr. Crombie seconded the motion, which was carried. Mr. Alexander moved, that when any land is sold, the Government should reserve to themselves the power to grant permission to cut races through such land, the compensation to be fixed by arbitration. Mr. Morrison disapproved altogether of arbitration He instanced the case of Clark's paddock, which cost the parties wishing to prospect the Gabriels Gully reef, £40 an acre, the greater part of which went into the pockets of the arbitrators. He was in favor of dealing liberally with the agriculturalist, aud he suggested that a maximum price per acre be fixed. The motion was seconded, and carried, Mr. Morrison moved, that a clause be inserted in the new Goldfields Act and in I the Waste Lands Act, to provide for the discharge of tailings. Mr. Crombie seconded the motion, which was carried. The Conference adjourned till 2 o'clock. At 2 o'clock they re assembled. Clause 51 was read by the Chairman. Mr. Shaw mentioned that there were auriferous spurs on Switzers likely to contain quartz reefs upon which the Warden, despite the protests of the miners, granted agricultural leases. Mr. Crombie thought that a feature survey of the country should be made, such survey to indicate the direction of reefs, and also of streams. Such a survey would prove very useful to the Wardens. j Mr. Ferris jnoved, that, in the opinion j of this Confereace, a reserve o^ twenty miles from the 'centre of each goldfield should be made, such reserve to be exempt from occupation by agriculturists. Seconded, Mr. Alexander moved, as an amendment, that |a Commission be appointed to inquire whether lands now open, or to be opened, for settlement are auriferous, or likely to be so ; and, if such should prove the case, they should not be permitted to be occupied. j Mr. Grey seconded the amendment. In doing so, he wished to point out that the Goldfields Act was not carried out. That Act provided i the remedy now sought to be obtained. He also objected to such large mining reserves be.ing introduced. _ J Mr. . Alexander said the Commission he 'suggested would be composed of one member appointed by the agriculturists, one by the miners, and one by the Government. ' The motion by consent of the meeting was allowed to read as follews :*-" That an inquiry be held among the residents of districts to ascertain the auriferous lands contained in blocks open for selection ; and any ■ land that may be found required for mining reserves, or be found auriferous, shall be withdrawn from agricultural leaaing." T.he motion was again altered as "follow* and passed ; — " That on the .requisition of a majority of the residents of any district, ground nitherto open for agricultural leasing, be held as a mining reserve ; also that any agricultural leasehold that may be found to be auriferous, be not sold." Mr. Shaw moved, that previous to the conversion of any agricultural lease into a frte'iold, notice shall be given in the local .papers of the district - . : The motion was seconded by Mr. Alexander, and carried. The meeting then adjourned till half-past six o'clock.