CHAMBER OF MINES.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVIII, Issue 274, 25 November 1897, Page 8

CHAMBER OF MINES.

The quarterly meeting of the members of the Auckland Chamber of Mines was held yesterday afternoon, Mr Graves Aickin presiding, in the absence of Mr H. Brett (President).

PEESIDENTIAL QUARTERLY STATE

MENT.

The quarterly statement was a lengthy document, of which the following are the most important features : — Unfair Criticism' in Certain Section of the English Tress.-Our attention was directed to articles appearing in the London "Sketch," "Graphic," and other papers, written by a contributor using the letters '• R.R." Upon making inquiry, and looking carefully into the character of .the articles referred to, it was decided not to take any action in regard to them. Those who are best qualified to speak as to the various districts and mines under criticism express this opinion of the critic and his views — that whilst he has been industrious and careful as to his facts, the deductions which he has drawn from them are not those of an experienced miner, but seem throughout to be tinctured with pessimistic prejudice. This is so apparent and obvious that the casual reader will readily observe the bent of a biassed judgment. This is most noticeable in his reference to the deep level works now being carried out at the Thames by the Thames Hauraki Company. Reasoning by analogy is apparently not admitted by him in goldmining. That deep level mining has paid handsomely for the outlay in Sandhurst, Ballarat, Charters Towers, anil other fields under much less favourable circumstances than the Thames is evidently no argument whatever. Of course our critic would fall back upon the plea of the geological conditions being different; in this instance, however, the weight of geological authority is with the enterprising company which has sufficient discernment to risk the capital invested. One portion of the Peninsula Coromandel has quite lately had an able refutation of " R.IVs " aspersions upon its mines from an acknowledged authority, namely, Captain Hodge, who, whilst admitting the general accuracy of the facts as given, states his opinion as an experienced manager of mines in all parts of the world, that Coromandel as a district is practically the reverse of what " R.R. " had drawn in his picture. Information from English Companies.— A circular was sent to all the representatives of English companies within the colony having their head office outside the colony suggesting that they should cause a monthly report to be written. Twenty replies were received, and the opinion expressed may be summed up as follows:—1. That it would be undesirable to seek legislation at present in the direction indicated. 2. That the Chamber should devise a scheme of obtaining voluntary information of the character, and somewhat on the lines recommended, similar to the method at present prevailing at Johannesburg, and that the various English companies be requested to aid the work of the Chamber in this direction. The matter is still in the hands of the Goldfiekls Committee.

Museum of Minerals. — Arrangements have been made for a suitable case to receive a classified and comprehensive collection of minerals indicative of the ores and matrix of the principal mining districts in the Hauraki Peninsula.

The Mining Outlook.—Although there seems to be a diminishing share list, evidence is not wanting of an increasing gold return, which we all know to be the crucial test as to permanency and prosperity. The investing public take a long time to realise that in gold reefing districts the process of production is necessarily slow. A long time is necessary to put in drives and sink shafts, erect machinery, construct tramways, and prepare for the crushing of ore, and that even when the ore has been won there arc trials ahead as to treatment and best Avay of saving the percentage shown by the assays. The last two years have been employed largely in gaining the needful experience and knowledge. The folloAving Companies have crushed with fairly satisfactory results :—The Wailri, Crown, Woodstock, Waitekauri, Talisman, Hauraki, Koyal Oak, Waiotahi, etc. The following ai-e now employed in crushing, but so far without anything definite as to value :—Waihi Silverton, Waitekauri Extended, Komata Reefs, Kuranui-Cale-doniaiv, Alburnia, Victoria, Triumph, Success, Kapanga, Kapai-Vermont, and Hauraki Associated. The following Companies have either batteries in the course of erection or made arrangements for their erection :—The Moanataiari, Hauraki Golden Age, Waihi New Battery (Victoria), Alpha, Royal Standard, Tairua Broken Hills, Whangamata Proprietary, Monowai, Great Western, and Puru Consolidated. Besides the capital invested in these crushing plants there has been a large expenditure for pumping and winding machinery. This all points to fresh developments under ground and a largely increased return of bullion within the next two years. It may well be said that at no <ime in the past history of our field has there been such provision and promise as to the future. _ I had the pleasure last week of inspecting the machinery in the course of erection at the Thames Hauraki works, the old Queen of Beauty. There were ten of the latest and largest boilers in position, and four splendid engines were provided for. The plant is intended to enable mining to be carried on down to 2,000 feet in depth. I may safely assert that there is nothing superior in machinery ,and modern improvements south of 'the equator. I also visited the new Moanataiari battery of 60 stamps ; this is said to be the most perfect vp r to-date plant in New Zealand, the arrangements for crushing, concentrating' and tailing treatment are as nearly automatic as possible. This machinery, together with the numerous crushing plants I have enumerated, and the splendid pumping and winding engine at Coromandel and elsewhere, indicate a solid faith in our future which cannot be misunderstood. Before finishing permit me to say a word in regard to small struggling companies, there are several that now possess good payable reefs, and they think their salvation consists in a Home flotation. May I suggest as a better plan the policy of self-reliance and gradual development ;to obtain £20,000 to £30,000 in London to erect machinery for crushing and aid in the low level development, they must give away nearly one-half of tlfeir mine in the shape of paidup shares. I am informed that a good three-stamp battery can he purchased in Sydney for £75. In the absence of water power a gas motor (five horse-power) can be had for £80, which with two berdans would be sufficient to males a commencement in crushing, say 15 to 20 tons per week. The results, if up to previous calculations, should enable the owners to iinance their property through into steady dividends with the double advantage of keeping the money at home instead of sending it abroad. I think we may safely rest assured as regards the future in our mining field that the progress will be steady, sound, and satisfactory, if not sensational.

Legislation. — After prolonged and careful study of the proposed mining legislation in which we were assisted by Mr Hough ton and others, the Council recommended that the proposed legislation be deferred until next session in order to permit the further consideration of a measure which, should meet the conditions of the colony more fully than that submitted. We regard it to be of the utmost importance that any new act relating to mining should be fixed and permanent in character ; stability of tenure

being essential, the frequent alterations in the law naturally create distrust. The new Mining Bill fails to provide us with any better security of title or any simpler method of transfer.

The Mining Bill.—Although the Council decided to recommend the postponement of the Mining Bill until next session, the Goldfields Committee had already dealt with certain objections which may be summarized as follows: — Rules and Regulations. These should as far. as possible be included in the Act itself. At any rate the most important conditions attaching to mining privileges, protection and forfeiture should be dealt with by the Act solely. The facilities afforded for prospecting are insufficient and too restrictive. Titles should be simplified and made more secure. Rent should be reduced, and only charged up to the date of surrender. The conditions for manning the ground are too stringent and severe. In order to assist legitimate mining, prevent jumping, and assist the introduction of capital, the discretionary powers of the Warden should be extended to enable him to grant 12 months protection without reference to the Minister—this should also apply to water rights. For miners rights, the conditons proposed are unnecessarily wide. Under the Cyanide Process Extraction Bill the rate of royalty proposed is excessive, and we suggest 1^ per cent, as being ample. The price paid. to the patentees is considered sufficient to cover all claims for arrears.

A vote of thanks was passed for the able report.