THE New Zealand Herald AND DAILY SOUTHERN CROSS. TUESDAY, APRIL 18, 1897.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 10415, 13 April 1897, Page 4

THE New Zealand Herald AND DAILY SOUTHERN CROSS. TUESDAY, APRIL 18, 1897.

Our correspondent, "Share Investor," speaks severely about the conduct of the Government with regard to mining titles. His letter, however, is not specific enough to enable us to discuss the grievances which are rankling in his mind, and we are afraid that he is blaming Ministers in tome circumstances where they could scarcely avoid the position, and are not at fault. We are quite convinced, however, of this fact, that the "slump" which has taken place, is greatly owing to what Ministers have done, or have attempted to do, in regard to goldfields titles. We can realise the horror which would be caused amongst investors in England when they saw the Government actually introduce retrospective legislation to attack titles to mining land. No explanations of exceptional circumstances would be taken into account. There is no question also, that the recent attempt to bike possession of a piece of land which had, ,for long been held under freehold title has been' exceedingly injurious. That land was pegged out while mining titles' were being readily taken, up in London, and the circumstance would no doubt affect the market, '. People at home cannot understand the minute details of our position with the natives. The case was . hang-

ing over for a considerable time, and unfortunately the Warden gave a decision in the teeth of law and justice. It is not to be wondered at that persons in London failed to understand the complexities of the case, and looked only at the fact that a freehold title could be attacked with great prospect of success by any one who chose to take out a miner's right.

We do not desire to dwell on these points. The mischief has been done, and cannot now be helped. But an effort should be made to put an end to all uncertainty. We may mention some of the subjects of doubt which remain. The decision of Mr. Justice Conolly may raise questions that have not been heard of hitherto, in reference to freehold lands in other parts of, the peninsula. These, however, we will not anticipate. Then there is the case of the native reserves, which were taken into the goldiield by the Act of last session, and On which olaims had been pegged out, and titles given, but which were again pegged out, and new titles claimed. There is no doubt also that great annoyance and vexation have been caused by the Kauri Timber Company's leaseholds. These were scattered over the peninsula, prospectors in many cases could not tell when they were on a leasehold block or not, and after making a discovery, and going to considerable expense, they found they could not get a title. We observe that the Warden is to commence an inquiry into the subject during the present week, and it is to be hoped that arrangements will be speedily come to by which clear mining titles can be issued. We regret that this matter has been allowed to stand over so long.

As for the general bulk of the goldfield, there is really no difficulty about the title, The law only allows of a lease being issued for twenty-one years, and our correspondent, "share investor," is profoundly dissatisfied with that. We think it a good title, upon which it is quite safe to embark capital, because at the end of the period the lease is renewable at the option of the holder. We must, however, regard even the prejudices of the persons who are to furnish the capital to open up the mines and place machinery upon them, and if our present lease is not satisfactory it should be made so. Fortunately an excellent chance now oilers itself to put the law respecting mining titles on a good footing. Within the next few months various difficulties that have arisen will doubtless be arranged. The Minister of Mines has stated that he intends to bring in next session a consolidating statute, so that the precise position of the law should be seen. His intention, we believe, was not to introduce any new feature into the law, and this is a wise resolve on his part. But it would be well if he could remove all these doubts and difficulties about titles, and this might easily be done. There could be no objection whatever to extending the term of the lease, and no grant or title should be menaced in any way whatever. The whole chauge desired might be effected by a very few simple i provisions. By doing this Mr. Caiman would render a great service to the colony.