THE THAMES GOLD FIELDS.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume 14, Issue 1118, 14 January 1870, Page 2

THE THAMES GOLD FIELDS.

The proposed reform in the monage^psfent of the Thames Gold Fields is attracting stfme- <- attention in Auckland at present. Great diversity of opinion exists a3 to the cause of the late depression, but it is generally - allowed that the present arrangements with regard to the leasing of claims are very unsatisfactory, tending as they do to encourage investment in auriferous land," not with; the view of working it, but for purposes of speculation, and very liable, also, in many instances, to give rise to expensive litigation. It is proposed, as a remedy ifor the first and greatest of theseleyiX that the amount - to be deposited', on application for a lease should; be increased^ and also that the survey should be made : at the expense of the applicant. .These simple reforms, it is supposed, would impose a check upon the system of monopolizing land . not intended to be worked. .Another fruitful source of mischief is said to be the subdivisiyn of the land into numberless smalt claims. It is impossible' that suitable managers should be obtained for each of these, consequently they are frequently worked by ignorant and ineffecient men. The reoiedy for ;thia would be amalgamation. To carry out these reforms the miners request that a board should be organized.