CONTROL OF MINING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVI, Issue 17274, 25 September 1919, Page 9

CONTROL OF MINING.

MANY REFORMS PROPOSED.

INCREASED BORROWING POWER.

STATE ADVANCES TO COMPANIES.

fBY TELEGRAPH.— SPECIAL RETOBTER. ]

WELLINGTON. Wednesday. The amendment to the Mining Act introduced in the House of Representatives to-day is a comprehensive measure covering a wide variety of subjects in connection -with the winning of gold and other minerals.

j At the outset it provides that no decree of forfeiture or certificate of abandonment of a water race license shall be made or given until the Minister has certified whether or not the license is required for the use of the Crown. If the certificate be in the affirmative when the warden issues the decree or certificate he shall at the same time make an order vesting the license in the Crown. The same stipulation ie made regarding the renewal of mining privileges in resnect to water, ibe Minister is to be notified of every application for the renewal of any such license. If no application for it on behalf of the Crown i s made within two months of the serving of the notice the renewal maybe granted in the established manner. If the Crown takes over the license the former holder will be entitled to compensation. The definition of claim in the principal Act which is limited to a piece of ground to be mined for gold is made of wider application by the omission of the word gold. The section of the 1908 Act governing the payment of tribute money is also widened in its application. Under it, tribute is to be paid only for gold won from a quartz claim. The amendment makes it payable for scheelite. Elimination of Dust. Important clauses for the elimination of dust in quartz workings are included in the Bill. Wherever quartz is crushed in a dry state the use of an adequate jet of spray of water or a suction fan or other approved appliances for keeping the air pure is required. A special enactment in accordance with the promise made in the House bv the Minister reads:—" No rock-drills shall be used in any mine after the first dav of January, 1921, other than axial water-feed rock-drills or other drills of a kind that may be approved by the inspector." Other clauses render more stringent the precautions to be taken to render safe the kegs and winding apparatus and to enforce care in the visiting and handling of explosive charges which have missed fire.

Issue of Mining Bights. A limitation of the issue of mining rights over land is embodied in the following clauses: — "In every case where, after the passing of this Act, application is made to a warden for the grant of a mining privilege in respect of any land, whether Crown land or not, the warden shall, before granting the application, submit the same to the District Commissioner of Crown j Lands for a report as to whether or not, in the opinion of the commissioner, the land is suitable for agricultural or pastoral purposes. Except in cases where the commissioner certifies that the land is not in his opinion suitable for such purposes, the warden shall, if the application is approved, issue a license subject to such special terms, conditions, and reservations as may be prescribed by regulations in that behalf, or in default of any such regulations." as he may consider sufficient to prevent, so far as practicable, the destruction of the surface of the land or the rendering of it unfit for pastoral or agricultural purposes. Prospecting for Petroleum. The right to prospect or bore for petroleum or other mineral oils or natural gas is limited to operations authorised by license, issued pursuant to regulations to be made under the authority of the Mining Amendment Act, 1911. This will affect prospecting or boring rights at present in existence, since the clause is tc be enforced "notwithstanding anything to tie contrary in the 1908 Act, as extended by the 1911 amendment or in any varrant, lease, or license authorising any person to prospect or bore for petroleum, etc.,'* and l renders unlawful "continuing" to prospect or bore under authority previously issued. Provision for Advances. The section of the 1908 Act defining the purposes for which State advances to mining companies may be made J? extended to include (a): — For carrying on quarrying or coal minine operations, including the purchase of plant, the construction of roads, railway j lines, and sidings or other means of access to any quarry or coal mine, and all other matters incidental to the carrying on of any such operations ; (b) the extraction, rectification, storage, and transport of oil derivable, or derived, from swamp and other lands; and (c) the erection, reconstruction, or repair of dwellings by the owners of any coal mine for the use of persons employed therein. The Minister's power to borrow is in. creased to £50,000 annually, while the amount to be advanced to one applicant is increased to £20,000.