THE Marlborough Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 30, 1887. The Mining Industry.

Marlborough Daily Times, Volume X, Issue 249, 30 December 1887, Page 2

THE Marlborough Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 30, 1887. The Mining Industry.

If there is one thing more than another that the late Ministry, and particularly the Hon. Mr Larnach, who held the portfolio of Minister of Mines, deserve credit for, it is the encouragement they gave towards the development of the mining industry. No industry has dono more for the colony than the mining ; neither is there a parallel for the amount of taxation imposed or neglect with which it has been treated. True, during the frenzy of the borrowing system, the West Coast and Otago received some largo sums of money for mailing sludge channels and water races, which, from the defective construction or the over-sanguine expectations of their promoters, have never yet paid interest on the cost of construction, and certainly offer no prospect of the principal over being repaid. But these were exceptions, and the same remark may be applied to many of our political railways. It was reserved for Mr Larnach to do more than spend money with such doubtful results. He sought to interest public opinion and create more intelligent views and disseminate correct information on the subject. With that object in view, branch Schools of Mines were established at different centres in the Colony, and the services of Professor Black, of Otago University, with assistants, were secured, who gave instruction in mining chemistry, the treatment of refractory ores, saving of fine gold, and in many other ways gave practical hints that have proved of great value to the miner. The mining industry is still the backbone of the country; while all other products have steadily decreased in value, gold alone has maintained its position, hence the development of our mining resources is one of the most important directions to which attention could be drawn, and any effort to that end should meet with encouragement and support. The extent of the auriferous deposits of this provincial district has not yet been fully proved. The Wakamarina, Deep Creek and Canvastown localities, there is every reason to suppose, contain large quantities of the precious metal, and any hints for the practical proving of tho ground would bo acceptable. It is gratifying to note that the present Ministry do not intend to abandon the scheme introduced by Mr Larnach. In reply to a deputation that waited upon him recently, Mr Or, F, Richardson promised that the industry would continue to receive fair support, but he asserted, what is perfectly true, that the West Coast had received more than its fair share of public money for the purpose of developing its auriferous resources. The Goldfields’ Committee urged _ the Government last session to continue its support to the Schools of Mines and other schemes having for their object the encouragement of the mining industry, and recommended them to obtain from America and elsewhere the best and most effective method of dealing with refractory ores —one of tho principal drawbacks to profitable mining, A revival of the mining industry would be the first thing to set the Colony upon its feet, as it would re-act upon all other industries and infuse fresh life into everv channel 4 trade. ' J