Untitled

Waikato Times, Volume XXX, Issue 2490, 26 June 1888, Page 2

The opinion expressed by the mining expert, Mr J. W. Jones, C.E., on the method in which mining operations at the Thames and Te Aroha goldtielda are conducted, is entitled to be accepted with a some degree of weight, as being the un-bia-sed declaration of a stranger qualified to judge. According to Mr Jones, we are far behind South Africa and Australia in developing the mineral resources of our mining districts, and he waa not slow to detect the presence of a great evil in the manner in which the interests of fields are manipulated. Mr Jones saw at once that the welfare and bona fidea of the mining industry are in a great measure at the mercy of what he very plainly and correctly termed " schemers." We say correctly advisedly, because it is an established fact that from tho time the recent introduction of foreign capital first took place, and gave what is felicitiously called a " boom " to the mining operations at Te Aroha and Ohinemuri, the activity mere speculators has been a distinguishing feature of the day The public are familiar with the barefaced attempt at kite-flying in connection with the fanciful and crafty creation designated the Marototo Broken Hill Company, whose career was cut short by the promptitude of the Warden. We need not rehearse its history. It has also been pointed out that the much talked of introduction of English or Australian capital is more in name than reality. Companies have beon formed as mere speculations, the promoters receiving the larger share of the paid up capital whilst but a very small amount comparatively is allotted for actual workiug of the mines. By and bye, when the right moment arrives, there will be some startling announcement made of rich lodes struck and astounding yields per ton, which will send shares up to fancy values, and certain people will reap fine fortunes, but the fortunate ones will not be the hardworking miners, nor, perhaps, the local tradespeople. There has also taken place another evil, a serious drawback to the legitimate development of the district and bond fide prospecting. The whole area of country between the Tui and Waioronpomai, for example, has been pegged off by people, most of whom are of the non-mining class, sheer speculators and schemers in fact, who have taken possession of the ground, not for the purpose of investing capital and opening up mines in the real sense of the word, nor probably, even to test the auriferous nature of their claims, but with the sole object of being able to manipulate their holdings, should they succeed in obtain-

ing licenses in the Wardi-n's Court, at some future period, in order to fill their pockets by a successful hocus-pocus that does not require hard manual labour or mechanical appliances. We say, emphatically, that the existence of such a condition of things is a positive curse to the goldfields, and will seriously retard their progress. No cncnur.-igL--inenfc should be afforded to this class of speculators to monopolise mineral country to the exclusion of the bona fuk working miners, of whom many parties are always forthcoming ready to occupy the ground to some real purpose and to risk all their energies, time and labour in actual mining pursuits. The Warden's Court at this moment has before it a host of applications for licenses from speculative peggers-otr, who by just keep ing within tho letter of the law can look forward to gaining possession of valuable mineral-bearing ground to the lasting injury of the true miner and retarding of the districts concerned. We trust, for the sake of the goklfields, that decisive steps will be taken in the proper quarter to put an end to this undesirable state of things.