OUR MINING EXHIBITS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9131, 13 August 1888, Page 5

OUR MINING EXHIBITS.

AN OLD MINER'S OPINION.

UTTERLY UNWORTHY OF THE COLONY." ASHAMED OF HIS COUNTRY. [BY TELEGRAM.SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.] Ellington, Saturday. The Times has the following in to-day's issue, which corroborates the statements made by the New Zealand Herald's correspondent :—" With reference to the alleged poor display of New Zealand mining exhibits at the Melbourne Exhibition, we may mention that Mr. James Hazel, a wellknown West-Coaster, who has been connected with mining since the first rush at Hokitika, returned yesterday by the Rotomahana from a trip to Melbourne. In an interview with him last night, he informed our representative that from what he saw in the New Zealand Court at the Exhibition, the mining exhibits at present are a disgrace to the colony. In his own words, he says : ' When I saw them I felt ashamed that I was a New Zealand colonist. The specimens shown are a puny lot, and are entirely unworthy of the colony. They gave no idea of the mineral wealth of New Zealand, especially the exhibits from the West Coast. I was simply disgusted at what I saw.'"

1 interviewed Mr. Scddon, the chairman of the old fields Committee, to-day on the subject. He informs me that he will endeavour to get Mr. Hazel to give evidence before the Committee on Monday, if he has not left for the West Coast. It is understood that a proposal will be made for an additional vote, and also that Mr. Gordon shall be sent to Melbourne to take charge of the mining exhibits.