The Westport Times AND CHARLESTON ARGUS. WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 1868.

Westport Times, Volume II, Issue 173, 19 February 1868, Page 2

The Westport Times AND CHARLESTON ARGUS. WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 1868.

The proposed mining conference does not seem to meet with very ranch favor from the miners, if we may jud"-e from the tenor of the speeches delivered at Charleston on Saturday night. There can be hut little doubt that what is required are Mining Boards, although the proposed conference maydo a great deal in removing many of the disadvantages which miners labor under. At the meeting all acted to, some objection was shown as to the liberal nature of the conference —it being contended that any body could obtaiu possession of thirty miners rights, and thereby become qualified to act as a delegate. We differ from this view on the ground that the whole question of mining government cannot be too freely discussed, aud we are quite certain that no thirty miners would trust their rights into the hands of any body who choose to ask for them-. The Commissioner, in reply to the deputation that waited upon him some short time since, stated he was not wholly unfavorable to the establishment of Mining Boards—theoretically, he thought well of them, but practically, there were a great many obstacles to be overcome ; and also that it would take six months before the cumbrous machinery of the Mining Boards could be brought into operation. In speaking thus of Mining Boards the Commissioner labored under a supposition that the machinery must necessarily be cumbrous and unwieldly, but in this he was mistaken, for all that is requisite to commence with are a few simple general rules for the guidance of the Boards, with sufficient latitude allowed then to frame their own byelaws. The scheme need not and does not require much elaboration to be rendered workable. However, as the miners have not got Mining Boards, and as they are invited to a conference, it would do well for them to attend it, and not let the opporlunity slip of remedying some of the difficulties under which they labor. The Nelson Government have made an offer, and not an unreasonable one considering, for a government not acquainted with mining ; and, therefore, advantage should be taken of it in the hope that something better may arise out of it.

It cannot be expected, however, that anything like a proper solution of the various questions relating to mining will be arrived at till mining boards are appointed in each district. The same rule applies to Mining Boards, as to Road Boards or Municipalities—they must be on the spot to deal with the various subjects requiring their intervention.