"THE GOLD DUTY BASIS" APPROVED.

Auckland Star, Volume XIX, Issue 114, 15 May 1888, Page 5

"THE GOLD DUTY BASIS" APPROVED.

At a meeting of directors and gentlemen connected with mines within tlVo drainage area of the Thames Big Pump, held yesterday at the Chamber of Commerce, the principle advocated by the S?i'AR of basing charges in connection with drainage on the gold production of the nvmes benefited was adopted. Mr J. M. Lennox presided, and there were also present: Messrs C. C. McMillan, J. Brown, W. Wilson, J. M. Clark, R. Spra'it, and others well known in connection with mining affairs. The Chairmau, after reviewing the position, said that the alternative now beforo'them ivas to get Government to cither pay the, £2,000 duo to the Deep Level Cross,or levy a contribution for the purpose amongst the various companies interested. Tho position was serious, and most calamitous to 'die Thames, but the Drainage Board were/powerless unless they wore permitted to raako a levy, [i they could get tho necessary moans to change the power then the Government would give them the money promised. Mr C. C. McMillan thought a great deal of the trouble had been brought on by the system of levying they had—they levied according to certain depths/and areas, instead, as he thought they should, by tho amount of gold got out of ihe mines. He thought the delegate ought) to have something to go upon, and ho would suggest the idea of the gold output ay the one to be the basis of the levy, Hiid tho mines been charged a small percehtago upon tho gold taken out, the money would have been got; but as it was tho Waiotahi Buffered in comparison to the Cambria, and yet it had not had a tenth part of tho gold taken from it. The Chairman pointed out that the rates were levied by impartial and competent assessors, and Mr McMillan rejoined that while that might bo true his point was that tho Drainage Board should, have levied on the gold got from the mines rather than depth of shaft and area, and if they had done liiis then each would be paying a tair share of expense. Mr Spratt did not think that the companies would agree to tbe adoption of the principle advocated by die Star, and read a tablo he had prepartd of assessments, founded upon the present rating, which would raise £1,418 10s. Mi-McMillan moved, "That the Board bqauthorised to make a levy on the various companies to raise the money to purclaso tho Pump, and that the levy siould be on the basis of the gold yield." Mr J. Brown moved, as an amendment, • That Mr Spratt's basis bo accepted." Mr Clark strongly advocated the gold ;luty basis as the fairest. The motion was carried by seven votes to four. Delegates were then appointed to take part in a meeting of the Drainage Board to be held this afternoon.

(by telegraph.—own correspondent.)

Wellington, this day.

Nothing has yet been done in Wellington relative to the latest development of the Big Pump difficulty. Ministers are still considering Col. Fraser's proposal to pay Ihe Deep Level Cross claim out of tho £2,000 promised some time ago, and then vest tho property in trustees.