Mining.

A.—sb.

348. The Judge of the District Court may at any time reserve for the opinion of the Supreme Court, by way of special case, any question arising in any proceedings in the District Court in the exercise of its original jurisdiction under this Act; and with respect to every such special case the provisions of section three hundred and hereof 5 shall, mutatis mutandis, apply. Other Provisions. 349. For the purpose of taking the evidence of witnesses resident at a distance from the place of hearing, the provisions of sections ninetyone to ninety-five of " The Magistrates' Courts Act, 1893," shall, mutatis 10 mutandis, apply to all proceedings either in the Warden's Court or in the District Court in the exercise of its jurisdiction under this Act, or before the Warden in the exercise of his functions under any Part of this Act: Provided that if there is no Warden's Court or District Court at 16 the place where such evidence is to be taken it may be taken in the Magistrate's Court. 350. Subject to the provisions hereinbefore contained for appeal to the Supreme Court, or for special cases reserved for the opinion of that Court, or for the removal of actions into that Court, and subject 20 also to the right of any person to proceed in the Supreme Court when the cause of action affects title to land held otherwise than under this Act, all proceedings in any matter within the jurisdiction of the Warden's Court or the District Court under this Act shall be brought in such Court alone. 25 351. Affidavits to be used in any proceedings before the Warden or in the Warden's Court under this Act may be sworn before a Warden, a solicitor of the Supreme Court, a Justice of the Peace, or the Clerk. 352. Every warrant, order, conviction, judgment, or decision of the Warden or the Court under this Act or any former Mining Act shall 30 be deemed to have been made or given by the Magistrate of an inferior Court within the meaning and for all the purposes of " The Courts of Justice (Technical Defects Removal) Act, 1892." PART X. Miscellaneous Provisions. 35 As to Development of the Mining Industry. 353. Subject to prescribed regulations, any local authority may from time to time apply such portions of its funds as it thinks fit in assisting the development of the mining industry in all or any of the following ways, that is to say :— 40 (a.) In offering and paying rewards for the discovery of new mining fields in respect of gold or any other metals or minerals, or any precious stones ; (fr.) In prospecting for gold or any other metals or minerals or any precious stones ; 45 (c.) In or towards the erection, establishment, maintenance, and extension of schools of mines.

Question may be reserved for Supreme Court. 1898, No. 38, sec. 292

Evidence of witnesses at a distance. Ibid, sec. 293

Proceedings within jurisdiction to be brought in Warden's or District Courts. Ibid, sec. 294

Swearing of affidavits. Ibid, sec. 295

Removal of defects in warrants, &c. Ibid, sec. 296

Local authority may use funds to develop mining industry. Ibid, sec. 297 1899, No. 29, sec. 27

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