THE MINING CONFERRENCE.

Otago Witness, Issue 853, 4 April 1868, Page 2

THE MINING CONFERRENCE.

The memberasE;she Mining Conference upon i&e^peTfot^ndentjbn Sa|jj»»elay mornirajjr/ d^OKaJriam'oLthe^COh-; dterence, Mr Vincent PyKe introUuced'the several members -to^ -His T Honor^ - and laving' intimateji $iat , the Conference lad coneluiied'ilheir' deliberations, resy^to. ITir Honor tTSe'fblldwlngTfepdrt :— - '"

"We lhe r Commissioners 'appointed by your the M Goldfieldi-l Regula-tions,-and to draWup new Regulations suitable to the advanced condition of gold mining in the Province of Otago, have the honor to leport that,' having considered the important "business relegated to us, we have assented to -the attached code of new Regulations which -we now .unanimously recommend for your "Honor's adoption, in lieu of the Regulations -if 1864, at present in force. We also beg leave to suggest to your "Honor that all suoh'sections-of the Goldfielda Act as have special reference to any rights -conferred, or restrictions imposed, on the mining community, should be printed with the .Regulations/ for public convenience and information. '

With regard to the important subject of -water rights, we. desire to impress upon your Honor the necessity which now exists for taking, some steps to pat the validity of "these lights beyond dispute, either by a Court of [Revision, or otherwise, as several instances have come under our notice of valuable rights proving defective, through some mistake or informality, either on the part of the Warden or of the party applying ; and also from' the imperfect manner in which the duties of mining registration- has been performed : thus seriously injuring and depre--ciating the valae of this branch of mining property.

Your Commissioners also recommend that in granting future rights conditions should be made to prevent the holders, of water rights ■from charging exorbitant prices for ■water, it being a well-ascertained fact that in many districts the rate demanded is so high that the gronnd is thereby rendered absolutely valueless to all except the race proprietor. Kef erring to Regulation XVIII., which ■provides for the .hoisting of danger Bignals prior to the firing of blast 3, we would suggeat ■that the Government should give the fullest publicity to the Regulation by advertising tihe same in the local newspapers, and in the Gazette, notifying the time for which it shall Toe in operation. Your Commissionors believing that the imposition of license fees on water races has Taeen and is calculated to be highly prejudicial to the best interests of the State, by operating as a tax on industry, have eliminated from the Regulations the clauses relating thereto. A. protest dissenting thereirom, and based on legal doubts, has been xecorded by Mr J. I* Gillies, and a copy ot such protest is appended hereto for your Honor's information. But we may inform your Honor that, in the adjacent County of "Westland, such fees have been altogether abolished, and we presume that what may legally be done there may also be allowed in Otaejo. We also desire to bring under your Honor's notice the serious inconvenience and loss of time, resulting from the circumstance of there not being any stated time for holding Wardens' Courts in outlying districts, 4ind from the want of punctuality on the part of the Wardens, even when stated times have been notified. This is one very effective cause of discontent, and we strontly recommend to your Honor's attention the propriety of insisting on fixed Court days, and punctual attendance on the part of tae Goldfield Officers.

"The following i 3 the protest by Mr Gillies referred to in the r-port : — ' I record my dissent solely on the ground that I conceive it is obligatory ' by clause 28 of the Goldfielcta Act, 18G6. to charge five shillings per head as a minimum fee up«>n races already existing, and that it would be unfair to place new races on a better footing than the old.' "

Mr Mouat said that, with the exception of that protest, there had been a genera unanimity of opinion among the members.

Mr Gillies explained that he thought the Goldfields Act provided for that charge. If it was remitted on the West Coast, it was done illegally. The Superintendent : I assume that all these regulations are within the scope of that Act. We have no power to deal with anything that is beyond that.

Mr Gillies : That is the only point on •which there has been any difference of opinion. The Superintendent hoped that whatever were their recommendations, the different delegates would assure their constituents that there was every disposition on the part of the present Executive to administer the laws for the benefit of all concerned. There were a great ■many things which were expected to T>e done, which it was impossible to do so promptly as they, or those -whom the delegates represented, desired. There was one great question — ~lih.e opening up of the lands. It would appear to those who were not sufficiently aware of the circumstances that iihe Government was to blame for aaot making provision, in that respect, i;o a greater extent. He could aatsure them it was not the blame of the

Government: Those -who knew how the land, was, fenced ;u& mid the difficulty of arranging with runnolders, would see that it was not such plain-sailing as mighVat "filst sight be imagined. ; Government wasSlo'^t An communication with ar-great; many persons, with the view 'of endeavoring tor make arrangements that the miners might ttln" cattle at all events; and obtain the land few settlement. Any delay that \ ■jmghb .occur' was not, at any rate, the ' ifsiiult,df tlie Government. * j * ?]s£r Pyke said he had been requested to suggest to His Honor that a synopsis- of ■the regulations should be published beyond the 1 bounds of the Province. It was conceived, that they were of such a liberal character that they would have the effect of- attracting miners from localities beyond the Province.

The Superintendent agreed that it was important that the regulations should be widely known.

Mr Pyke said' the Conference had another report to make, but he was not quite sure it came within the scope of their appointment. He read the report as follows : —

We, the undersigned members of the Mining Conference, having taken into consideration the subject of gold mining leases, desire to express our opinion that the liberal regulations proposed, for your Honor's adoption, present such inducements to the holders of miners' rights by the granting of large claims, as to render the further issue of such leases altogether unnecessary ; and we would recommend the discontinuance of the leasing system, which experience has shown to be productive of most injurious consequences by the locking up of largo areas of auriferous ground without any sufficient guarantee for the proper working of the same. In the event, however, of your Honor's Government deciding to continue the leasing system in operation, we would recommend that in dealing with future applications a certificate should be issued to every applicant immediately upon hi 3 application being granted, and pending the execution of the lease, and that such applicant should thereupon pay the required rent and commence 'operations at once; and further, that measures should be taken to prevent a continuance of the injurious delays arising from the indefinite postponement of the surveys. We would also suggest, that if any applicant refuses or neglects to take up his certificate within one month after the same shall have been tendered for his acceptance, it should be cancelled, and the ground thrown open for occupation by holders of miners' rights, and that no lease should be issued or granted, unless and until it shall be certified to your Honor that mining operations have been commenced hona fide by the applicant, but that the lease should be refused, and the certificate cancelled if such operations are net so commenced within six months from the date of the latter document.

We further desire to impress upon your Honor the necessity of establishing a head mining registration office in Dunedin, for the purpose of securing more efficient publicity, and the greater safety of registration documents, representing as these now do, property of the estimated value of a quarter of a million sterling.

The , Superintendent considered that the suggestion made was a very important one.

Mr Pyke mentioned, with regard to the Registration Office, that those who could speak on the point stated that it was with the greatest difficulty that they could get evidence of any prior registration.

Mr Gillies said it was especially mentioned by the representative .members among the delegates. The Superintendent said he would be happy to consider, and give effect to, the recornmenda fcion.

Mr Mouat said that there were a number of recommendations which the delegates desired to make, now that they had an opportunity of doing so. The Superintendent said that, as they were now here, he would be glad to receive as many recommendations as they misjht think desirable.

The deputation withdrew, and, after a short interval, with the exception of Mr Pyke, they again waited upon His Honor, when Mr Mouat read and presented the following report : —

The delegates elected, for the revision ot the Goldfields Regulations, desire to embrace the opportunity of submitting to your Honor the following recommendations based upon resolutions considered and unanimously agreed to by them at a meeting held yesterday evening after the termination of their duties with reference to the regulations :—: —

1. They consider it desirable that measures should be taken for the establishment of a Mining Board for the whole of the Otago Goldfields, such Board to meet once a year. " 2. They would strongly urgethe desirability of opening land for agricultural settlement in the vicinity of all the chief mining centres of population. 3. They recemmend the encouragement of mining enterprise in bringing in water for mining purposes, by causing surveys to be mado on the various Goldfields of the existing sources of wacer supply, and the various lines along which it is possible to contract water races for the purpose of making such

Bonrces available and the quantity of such supply available for mining purposes by diversion in each case, and also "by .advancing .money at a reasonable rate of interest to -parties willing to undertake the construe^ tion of such, water races, and particularly .to such parties as may be willing to expend or may have already expended a arge amount of their own private capital; taking security over tie works J for any money no advanced, and upon condition that such advance shall be a first charge aspn the revenue derived from such works, anJE -yrith a reservation to the "Government of tin, right to fix a maximum price at which sueb water shall be supplied for mining purposes. 4. They farther desire to bring under your Honor's notice the claims of the Goldnelds to an increased representation, both in the Provincial Council and General Assembly ; the necessity of a re-adjust-ment of the representation throughout the Province, on the basis of population ; of dividing the Goldfields into electoral districts on that basis, and the desirability of their being represented in the Legislative Council as well as the House of Representatives, by recommending to his Excellency the Governor the summoning to that body of some individuals representing the Goldfields population and interests.

5. They would also bring under your notice the strong desire expressed by the inhabitants of certain portions of the Province not at present within Goldnelds, to have the boundaries of the Otago Goldnelds extended, especially in the district including the Lindis, the Wanaka, and Hawea Lakes (including part of M 'Lean's run), Clarke's, and the Pomahaka.

6. The desirability of great caution being used, ia the alienation of crown lands, proved or supposed to be auriferous, is a question of great importance to the mining interest, and one upon which the continued prosperity of that industry will greatly depend ; and the delegates are strongly of opinion that such areas should be at once permanently reserved for mining purposes. 7. They also desire to bring under your notice, the necessity of preserving intact the right to depasture cattle given to holders of miners' rights, under the 14th section of the Goldfields Act, 1866, and recommend that depasturing licenses should only be granted to holders J of miners' rights.

The Superintendent said there were, undoubtedly, a great many important questions touched upon in the report, and it could scarcely be expected that he could enter into them then. He should, however, bring the matters under the notice of the Executive, and give them all consideration. With regard to the first proposition, he thought that the Government had been quite prepared to give effect to. that portion of the Goldfields Act, but he saw that the delegates seemed to think that there should be one Board for the whole Province, to meet once a year.

A Member of the Conference thought that the Act would require to be amended.

The Superintendent said lie had always been of opinion that there should be a Mining Board. He had, however, thought that this Conference would practically amount to the same thing, and he considered that it had done so. However, it was quite competent for the miners to get a Mining Board. The water supply in the mining districts w.is, no doubt, a very great question, and he trusted that by the Provincial Council effect would be given to some practical steps in that direction. ' There had been a survey, with a view of that being done, and a very valuable report had been sent in by Mr Millar, C.E. It would, of course, rest with the Provincial Council to say what action should be taken. If the Province was at all in a position to take action, as he thought it was, there was no doubt that the results would be invaluable.

Mr M'lniyre said that the district he represented desired strongly to ur^e upon the Government the importance of bringing a supply of watei from the Lindis, which could be done at a small cost. It could be made available even for the Manuherikia terraces. A party of miners there were quite willing to enter into such a speculation if the Government would guarantee them any interest on the capital expended. They had specially desired him to bring the subject beEoro the other delegates from the country. Moreover, he did not spe.ik for the Dunstan district alone. Switzers .was also languishing for want of water, and, with, assistance, it could be made a great Goldfield.

The Superintendent said that upon the Provincial Council, of course, depended any action to be taken ; but as far as his position was concerned, he would be very glad to support any reasonable proposition that might be made. While on the subject, he might mention that the Government were now getting a couple of boring apparatus of the most approved kind, with a view of letting them out in all parts of the Province. It appeared that the apparatus now in use was not available. He had been told that there was some particular form of apparatus now in use in Victoria, and orders had

been given to have these made. He> hoped that they would be productive of benefit.

Several members said that- the action of the Government in the matter was. one -which, must be highly approved of. The Superintendent said that the-, subject of increased representation, referred to in the report, was another important question. He noticed that they did not say anything about qualification. He thought that the exceptional qualification of the tinners should be done away with. He did not think there should' beany diffti-pp.ee l>ehvec-u the representation,. so far us the basis was conetmi'd. Hethought that every mtru w !m had ;i house,, freehold or leasehold, shun til \;u entitled!, to vote. At present the miners voted under the miner's right, hut there would be considerable difficulty in readjusting; the representation, unless it was. on a. universal basis.

Mr Mouat did not think the minerswould be in favor of doing away with thespecial franchise yet.

The Superintendent said there was nodoubt that the representation was veryunequal now. ItVas a pity that the present Council was elected without the matter having been re- arranged. He did not know if anything would be done this session.

Mr Mouat thought it should be doneat some time other than the dissolution of the Council.

Mr M'lntyre said there was a strong feeling among the miners that they werenot properly dealt with. According to thelast census, the total male population, exclusive of the goldfields, was 20,512. Themale inhabitants of the goldfields, whowere chiefly adult males, numbered 9307. That was nearly half the num'erof the population, yet they had only three members out of thirty-eight. They thought that was a great discrepancy, which ought to be remedied, and they would take it as a favor if His Honor would bring a measure before the Provincial Council, which might be the basis of the Council's action.

The Superintendent said that a return which, the Government had got showed that the total number of miners, including Chinese, was only 5400, or little over 4000 European miners — a remarkable circumstance considering the quantity of gold produced. Mr Mouat : Going by that basisalone, I think the numbers nrust be erroneous.

Mr M'lnttke could not see how such a number could be found to be dependent on mining. Of course, business people were dependent upon mining, tnt there was not nearly such a proportion of business people as was supposed.

The Superintendent said that he merely wei.t by the return shown to him. Tt would be published shortly, so that j they would be a'.le to find out if there was any mistake. With regard to the general question, there was no doubt that a re-adjustment was wanted. Whether or not, they should get it done this session, he should, not like to say. He considered the miners were an established population, and there could be no object in treating them specially.

Mr M'lntyre said that, even with the small number of representatives in their interest, the miners did not consider them to be the. representatives of the wliole of the Goldfields. The expense of travelling the Goldfields, on the occasion of an election, deterred many suitable men from becoming candidates. The better plan would be to divide the Goldnelds into districts, so thaf each district could send in its man without involving any great expense on his pait. As matters stood at present, a concentrated Goldfield like Tna/peka had the sway of the Gwldflelds altogether.

The Superintendent thought that the proclaiming of more Goklnnlds was a subject about which there would be some difference of opinion. There was a very large area proclaimed, and it was not occupied to anything like the extent it should be. It was a great question of expediency, the diffusing of Goldnelds more than was necessary. However, he would submit the subject to Ms advisers, and see to it.

Mr M'lntyre mentioned that, at Scrubby Flat, there were 300 or 400 miners, including Chinese, without miners' rights.

The Superintendent said that they had been, suspending inquiries as to applications which had been made in the matter, but if it must be done it would "be done. With regard to the depasturing of cattle, he had some new regulations, which were just about to be published. It was proposed to place the administration of pasturage in a Board of Wardens in each district. The Wardens were to bo elected by leaseholders and freeholders in the districts, to have power to regulate their own proceedings, to frame rules for subsequent elections, to compute the numler of stock, and to apportion the number of great and small stock to be depastured. Mr Mouat remarked that the holders

«>f miners' rights were not provided for in the election of Wardens. He thought Tfchat they should be so, as well as lease.holders. Mr Gillies : The view the delegates took was**thij — By the Act, miners are placed in tlie same position as leaseholders and licenseholders, and that consequently they have an equal right to elect those who administer those rights.

The Superintendent : It is your opinion, then, that the holder of a miner's right should be an elector.

Mr Gillies : The Goldfields Act recognises all parties on one basis.

The Superintendent : The miners 1 have a right which the holders have not. They run a certain number of' head free of charge. It is only with respect to the license that' Wardens are called on to act ; and I understand that is the way it is confined to those only who take out this license.. 1 think it is more for convenience sake that it is made so. I will be very glad, however, to communicate your views on the subject.

Mr M'lntyeb : All miners do not keep stock ; but any miner who does so, would be at the mercy of the leaseholder. They might frame regulations to the detriment of the miners, without him having any redress.

Mr Gillies : The evil we foresee is this : — The parties who have the election are the very parties who are interested in keeping back the rights of those who have equal rights with them. The Superintendent said the only difference was, that the miner bad always the right to run two head of cattle without a license ; but, if the distinction were objected to, he thought it niight be got altered.

Mr Sw*y.Eß asked if it was the case that a European had to pay 30s before he could bring any charge against a Chinese ? Mr Mouat said he heard that such a charge was made *f or an interpreter.

The Superintendent said it was the first he had heard of it. There was an interpreter, or there was about to bb one, to be' paid by the Government. He would, however, make a note of the matter.

After some further conversation,

The Superintendent . said he was much obliged to the members of the Conference for the labor and trouble they had taken, and lie trusted that from their labors good results would accrue. The Government only desired to have an expression of tli° general wish on the mattery which had been referred to. The question of representation was a very important one, which would probably not be dealt with during next session. It was a very large question, the importance of which, he quite appreciated, and if it were not dealt with now, he hoped it would be very soon. - It might be worth while having a special session to settle it. The deputation then withdrew.