THE MINING BILL.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 9835, 18 September 1897, Page 8

THE MINING BILL.

(PBE3S ASSOCIATION TBLESBAM.) WELLINGTON, September IT. The Mining Bill to be introduced, into Parliament this seasion by the Government, a measure to consolidate and amend the existing Acts relating to that subject, hfW been drafted. It is a comprehensive Bill of 300 clauses, divided into tea part 3. TUe first park iepreliminary, devoted to the interpretation and repeat of clauses. The constitution of districts and the appointment of officers under the Bill are dealt with in part 2. The lands subjeot to the Bill an* lands exempted therefrom are described in part 3, whilst part 4 deale with ininevs rights and mining privileges. Parfc 6 is devoted to the workiug, regulation, and inspection of mines ; part 6 to the regulation of appliances and processes for treating ores and metala. Part 7 defines the procedure in regard to claims for compensation. Part 8 provides for mining partnerships. In part 9 the administration "of justice is dealt with ; and part 10 contains miscellaneous provisions ac to the development of the industry, AcCopies are to bo distributed amongst the Minors' Associations and all those interested in the miniug industry. The Minister of Mines wishes to draw the attention of owners oi waterraces and reservoirs to tho new clauses dealing with these matters in order that they may express an opiniou as to whether or not these provieions will prejudicially affect their interests. The attention of local bodies who own water-races >Jβ also directed to a clause affocfinp them, and it will be well for surveyors to peruse the clauses ia which changes are made regarding surveys. Any stjSge/tione sent in.will bs considered before the Bill is finally laid before Parliament, and the varToua criticisms will ■•>*, placed before the Goldfields and Mines Committee for its consideration when it deals with the measure. ,