MINING BOARD.

West Coast Times, Issue 164, 28 March 1866, Page 3

MINING BOARD.

(TO THE EDITOR 03? THE WEST COAST TIME?) Sir, — I see by one of your late publications that a deputation Availed on Mr Sale, the the Commissioner, to present him. with a memorial from the people of the Kanieri to the Superintendent, requesting him to form a Mining Board, for thai district. One of the gentlemen of the deputation said thai Iho miners and wardens did not read clause 2 section XIII. of the Regulations in the way Mr Sale did. Bow, I cannot agree wilh. that gentleman. Most of the miners who have worked inOtago arc well aware that extended claims were always granted in cases where miners cut large races, or put up machinery, or in any way way shower! to the warden that a small claim could not be profitably worked. In fact, few of the miners working in Otago think of taking up an ordinary claim. I agree with the Commissioner and the depui"*'on that drainage laws are required, and wo 1 t .-nggcsl that for this purpose, and also foi 1 Mm- alteration of the regulations now in 101.' , Ihe Government should appoint a Commission <o visit all the Fields, and on their return to Hokitika they should sit to revise the regui itious, assisted l>3 r delegates chosen b," the miners from amongst themselves — say two from ench field. me Commission might consist of two Wardens and two other geulli-mcn to bo named by tic Government. Permanent regulations would thus be made for the whole of the West Coast Goldfields, in wliich the miners would have a voice. Whereas, a Mining Board would make a hash of the regulations, making alterations that neither the wardens or miners could understand, and, I fear, often making changes to suit their own selfish ends. Yours, E. C. Eoss, March 24th, 1866.

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