MINING SPECULATION.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXI, Issue 7224, 25 April 1884, Page 5

MINING SPECULATION.

[Per Press Association.] DUNEDIN, April 24. . A deputation from the recently formed Mining Protection Association waited on the Hon W. Rolleston this morning to ask (1) That Mining Companies should be exempted from Property tax, or tbat it should be made payable according to dividends; and (2) That an Inspector should be appointed to report periodically on mines, and that no Company should bo allowed to start without a certificate from this Inspector, which would tend to do away with bogus Companies. Tho spokesman (Mr Quick) said nearly everyone present had lost a great deal of money in mining speculations, and ho believed ho was right in stating that there was not ono gentleman in the room who would not be very glad to got out of mining speculation with as much money as he had put into it. After remarks from. Bovoral gentlemen Mr Kolloston said: You want the Government to take you gentlemen under their special protection, and do thatfor you which you should fairly do for yourselves. You have involved thousands of pounds and . yoa should have satisfied yourselves as to tho state ot affairs by getting advice, and you cannot expect the to pay for that advice. We are doing as much as we can in the interests of tlie public generally, and have constantly going the rounds. Besides this we are assisting, by the importation of drills and in various 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 Property tax.