Disappointed Mining Shareholders.

Evening Post, Volume XXVII, Issue 98, 25 April 1884, Page 2

Disappointed Mining Shareholders.

[By Tet-eoraph.] [DKITKD PRBBB ASSOCIATION.] Dunedin, 24th April. A deputation from the reoontly-formed MiniDg Protection Association, waited on the Hon. W. Rolleston this morning to ask (1) that mining companies should be oxorapted from the Property Tax, or that it should bo made payable according to dividends; and (2) that an inspector should bo appointed to report periodically on mines, and that no company should be allowed to start without a certificate from this inspector, which would tend to do away with bogus companies. The spokesman (Mr. Quiok) said nearly everyone present had lost a great deal of money in mining speculations, and he believed he was right in stating that there was not one gentleman in the room who would not be glad to get out of mining speculations with eb much money as he had put into them. After remarks trom several gentlemen, Mr. Rolleston said : — " You want the Government to take you gentlemen under thoir special proteotion, and do for you that which you should fairly do far yourselves. Sou have wasted thousands of pounds, and you should have satisfied yourselves as to the state of affairs by getting advice, and Ton cannot expect the Government to pay for that advioe. Wo are doing as much as we can in tho interests of the pnblio generally, and have an inspector constantly going the rounds of the jnines. Betides this we are Assisting, by the importation of drills and in varioui other ways, to promote the industry. I do not think it is the business of the Government to protect people dealing in mining." No reply was given as to the question re the Property Tax.