The Westport Times AND CHARLESTON ARGUS. THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1868.

Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 371, 8 October 1868, Page 2

The Westport Times AND CHARLESTON ARGUS. THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1868.

Abotjt eight or nine months ago, a great desire was evinced by the mining population at Charleston, and Addison's Flat, for the establishment of Mining Boards, and on Mr Kynnersley inviting a mining conference by those who could secure the nomination of thirty holders of miners rights, public meetings in denunciation were held, and with the exception of Brighton, no place sent any delegates whatever. In spite of this refusal, however, the rules were revised, and as such are now in force on the South West goldfields of the province. As might be expected, many of them are open to a very large amount of amendment, and others are somewhat loosely and vaguely constructed, so much so indeed, as to puzzle the Wardens very frequently, and io allow two distinct interpretations to be put on the same words. This was specially shown in the Giles' terrace dispute, and will be found wherever the present regulations in connection with the frontage system are called into operation. Without doubt Mining Boards are not only desirable, but imperatively required on these goldfields now, for auriferous ground of great value is being constantly opened up, and as may naturally be expected, disputes must and do continually arise, respecting the areas of different claims, On the northern terraces, some of the richest ground on the whole coast is being worked, and the possession of a few feet more or less, may in many cases, involve the right to some hundreds of pounds, and the same may be said of claims at the Shamrock lead, as well as the whole of the southern fields. It isvery importanttheu, thatthe regulations under which all ground is held, should in the first place, be set out in the clearest and most intelligible language, and in the second, be so compiled as to meet all varieties of mining difficulties or questions that can possibly arise. By none can these be so well known as by those who have for years been |practically acquainted with every mining requirement, and who know from actual experience,, wba* is fair and just to lay down as law. The existing rules are by no means uusuited as a whole to mining pursuits, but at the same time f they had been issued from a Mining Board, many and material alterations would have been made. Mining Boards as all irom Victoria know, have worked most satisfactorily in that colony ; the intelligence displayed by the members, as a rule, has been of a high order, and the institution quickly became a most popular one. There is on the coast probably greater necessity for rules to be formed in this manner, as the modes of mining are of an infinitely more varied character, and greater care is necessary to compile a code, that shall meet all possible requirements. When the memorial on this subject was presented, ib of course never went further than the Superintendent, as it was addressed to the Provincial Executive, and it was on his veto that the matter was indefinitely postponed, s or riher shelved altogether. Since that time the mining area has been considerably increased, and the gold yield is likely to be largely augmented in future time. The consequence is, that whilst there was necessity then, there is still greater now, and a demand for the establishment of Mining Boards is both reasonable and right, and should be granted without delay. The Superintendent, most of ourreaders know, holdsdelegatedauthority as the management of the goldfieldsis vested in the General Gov-rnment. and if he still declines to accede to the wishes and the wants of j the miners in this respect, the only course left is to appeal to the Assembly in the matter. If the reasons are fairly and intelligibly, we hav«no doubt that the gold fields would gel ]

what the Superintendent withholds, for (he expense would be but slight, and the advantages accruing to miners would be immense. If a merchant has a warehouse full of goods, if a squatter has a tract of laud, if a farmer holds agricultural ground, each and all are duly secured by law in possession of i their respective properties, and provision is made by those elected from themselves for their preservation from robbery and trespass. Though the simile may be rather far-fetched perhaps, still is it not rational to suppose that practical miners can best legislate for their own guidance, and what possible objection can there be to their j doing so ? In the rapidly progressing state of the mining industry, we hold that Mining Boards become an absolute essential to their development, and we cannot suppose if an appeal was made in the proper quarter, that ii would be made in vain. Mr BarfF, one of the members of the Coast, has been a practical miner, Mr Harrison has lived for some time in a mining centre, and Mr Gallagher has had considerable practical knowledge of mining, All three can speak with authority if the subject is mooted in the House, and their suggestions would be listened to with respect, i All then that is necessary, is to present a memorial through our own member on the subject, and solicit the support of the other two when the question is brought on. On the expression of opinion thus gained, action could be taken before the House separates, and the boon of Mining Boards can thus we feel confident be secured. Let the same gentlemen who then came forward, moot the subject again, and forward a memorial as we

have suggested, and we venture to predict their exertions will, on the next occasion, meet with greater success. At the same time there must be no delay, and promptitude must be the order of the day, for the session will soon close. If nothing is done the Coast must muddle on as it has already done, and any loss or inconvenience that defects in the regulations may give rise to, minerswill have them elves alone to blame for.