THAMES DEEP LEVELS.

Auckland Star, Volume XL, Issue 51, 1 March 1909, Page 3

THAMES DEEP LEVELS.

THE MINISTER'S WAKNING.

(By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.)

THAMES, this day.

When a deputation from the Thames Borough Council urged Government assistance towards the cost of the low level cross-cut, the Minister threw a bombshell into the camp of the mining speculator. He reiterated his determination to put a stop to companies locking up the ground and holding the same for speculative purposes. A limitation to protection would be insisted upon. It seemed that the companies were playing a waiting game to squeeze an additional £20,000 out of the Government. They would find out their mistake when too late.

In a subsequent mine managers' deputation asking that the low level route be determined by the Government, the Minister suggested that if the ground were not worked he might consider it his duty to cancel the leases locked up. and if the Government were going to spend another £20,000 in driving a low level cross-cut perhaps it would be better for the Government to do the work and take all the gold won during the progress of the tunnel. He was going to protect the taxpayer of the Dominion against the mining speculator. He was determined on this point, and the sooner the route of tbe low level was settled the better for the companies J concerned. If the companies were not pre- ! pared to help themselves by determining the route at once it would be better to starve them out. and the Government get the benefit. He believed in I thi- future prosperity of the Thames, and • would la}- the representations , of the ■ deputation before his colleagues. I ~