GOLD DUTY.

Westport Times, Volume V, Issue 844, 1 August 1871, Page 3

GOLD DUTY.

(To the Editor of the Westport Times and Charleston Argus.) Sib, —If you are not already tired of this subject and will allow the columns of your paper to be the medium for the expression of opinion on a matter affecting so many, I would again trespass on your journal, partly to invite an expression of the sentiments of others who are interested, whether they agree with me or not, and partly to make a few remarks oh the letter of your correspondent from Rochfort Terrace, published in your edition of the 27th inst., in which ho questions very much that my views respecting a material reduction or, rather, remission of the gold duty are generally held by the miners. I am not an advocate for any special favour that I do not consider we have a right to. I am quite satisfied, as your correspondent says, to be on a par with the agricultural and other districts, and I would not willingly accept a favour granted at the expense of others, particularly if they were less able to afford it. But if it is necessary in order to carry on our double system of government to have so high a tariff and also to exact so high a duty on gold, that expensive system ought to be abolished and the expenditure of the colony reduced to that degree that it may be met without pressing too heavily on any class of colonists.

I instanced the Californian Mail Service as an expense which, in my humble opinion, the colony is not likely to derive a commensurate benefit from. Tour correspondent states that in this district it requires four to twelve months' prospecting before a party get 3 gold—if they do get it ?

Now, this is a very • poor district, and if a party are fortunate enough to get gold at the expiration of twelve months, the expense for stores up to that time, with claim expenses, and the additional expense for washing gear, timber, candles, &c, amount to so high a figure that some claims are more or nearly half worked out before all expenses are liquidated. The goldfields of New Zealand are not very attractive now, and I think that a pound each year for a miner's right with the many incidental expenses connected with mining, such as applications in Warden's Courts, registrations, &c, are quite enough for us to meet without having the proceeds of so much hard work and enterprise taxed.

When I camo to Westland from Marlborough, I had a miner's right taken out at the latter place which would not have lapsed for about six months had I remained in Marlborough, but when I arrived in Westland I was obliged to take out another. A few weeks after the rush took place to the Grey, within the Nelson Province, and 1 took out another miner's right there. I remained there for about two years. When I left I proceeded to W r estlaud again, and took out another miner's right there, although the last one I obtained in the Nelson part of the coast had about ten months to run. lam sure there are many as well as I who have had three miner's rights at the same time, each of which would be in force had the holder been in the particular colony in which it w r as obtained. Who will not say that one miner's right should be available for all New Zealand. I am, sir, &c, Miner. ■