CHAMBER OF MINES.

Otago Witness, Issue 1892, 15 May 1890, Page 14

CHAMBER OF MINES.

The adjourned meeting of the New Zealand Chamber of Mines was held in the Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday night ; present — Measrs James Allen, M.H.R. (in the chair), G. J. Binus (secretary), J. Ashcroft, W. L. Simpson, J. L. Gillies, C. jjS. Reeves, R. L. Stanford, W. P. Watson, D. H. Hastings, ;c. Colclough, L. O. Beal, Leslie A. Norman, J. Mouat, E. J. Ford, R. B. Denniston, M. #egg, J. Don, J. R. Clement, N. L. Faulkner, E. Clarke, W. H. Munro, A. M'Queen, J. A. Chapman, W. Goodlet, William M. Shore, W,

Richmond, Chas. Ford, R. Andrew, T. Begg, T. Stevenson, R. A. Lyders, J. Meineke, W. Swan, J. Cunningham, P. Fredric, and a few others. The Chairman said he had received apologies for non-attendance from Mr V. Pyke, M.H.R., and Mr M. J. S. Mackenzie, M.H.R. The first business before the meeting was the

ELECTION OF OFFICERS,

Mr C. S. Reeves moved— "That Mr James Allen, M.H.R., be elected president of the chamber." He did not think they could get a better man or one who could take more interest in the work. He would also be useful in his position as a member of the House to forward the views of the chamber.

Mr J. L. Gilmes seconded the motion.

As there were no further nominations, the Chairman said he presumed he must take it they had elected him to fill the honourable position of president. He thanked them for the confidence they placed in him in this respect. At the same time he felt that there was considerable responsibility attaching to the position of president of a new chamber of this kind, but he felt confident that if the president and the members of the council could work the movement into real vigorous life a great deal of good might be done, not only to those engaged in mining pursuits, but to those who gave the support of their money and their thoughts to the industry. If tho chamber could be brought into such a position they would be opening up a new era for mining, and things would be made much happier and better in every way for the miners themselves. If he could aid in any way to bring that about he would only be too happy to do so. — (Applause.)

The election of six vice-presidents was then proceeded with.

The Chairman stated that the committee that was originally appointed to draw up rules, thinking that there would be considerable difficulty about proposing the names of the vicepresidents and the council, had drawn out a list of names, which they were willing to submit to the meeting. They did not wish in any way to direct the meeting, but simply to avoid that natural confusion that always occurred when a considerable number of names was proposed.

In answer to a question, the Chairman said that the names suggested by the committee were representative of New Zealand. The committee had taken the trouble to write to the gentlemen they suggested as vice-presidents, asking them if they were willing to stand, and had received replies in the affirmative from them all. The gentlemen they suggested as a council had also been written to, and the majority of them had replied stating their willingness to stand.

At the request of the meeting the Chairman read the list of vice-presidents suggested by the committee, as follows : — Messrs A. J. Cadman, M.H.R. (Coromandel), James A. M'llwraith, J.P. (Christchurch), Vincent Pyke, M.H.R. (Otago), W. L. Simpson (Dunedin), J.G. Ward (Invercargill), and T. G. Watters, F.R.G.S. (Westport). The Chairman said that to put the matter in order he would move that the names of the gentlemen named be elected vice-presidents. He moved in this direction simply to expedite business ; if any member wished others it was quite open for him to move an amendment.

Captain Andrew seconded the motion, which was put and carried unanimously.

The following gentlemen were then elected as the council : — Professors Ulrich and Black, Gaptain Andrew, Messrs W. Brown, J. L. Gillies, O. S. Reeves, R. L. Stanford, F G.S., W. P. Watson, R. Hay, M.I.C E., John Mouat (Dtmedin), W. Bayfield (Westport), W. G. Johnston (Hokitika), J. Kingsland (Invercargill), D. Macfarlane (Hokitika), J. Young (Auckland), D. B. M'Gregor (Bannockburn), John Ewing (St. Bathans), W. M. Shore (Eaitangata). There were 34 nominations.

Mr James Ashcroft was elected treasurer, and Mr G. J. Binns secretary.

treasurer's statement.

The Treasurer (Mr J. Ashcroft) reported that there were now 53 members of the chamber who had paid their subscriptions. About 20 who had promised to become members had not yet paid. He had paid £17 17s into the bank, £4 12s 6d as expenses, and had a few pounds in hand, so that when the remainder of the names were handed in they would be able to start with a fund of about £25. He hoped that the membership would be considerably increased. In Otago alone he expected to get at least 250 members ; from the other parts of the colony they could only come in by degrees. He hoped that the members who were travelling about the country would use their persuasive eloquence with miners, a large number of whom, he was sure, would join the chamber if they only understood its objects, Its members were not a set of stockbrokers, as some of the up-country papers had said, but were representative of all branches of the industry.

THE MINING LAWS. ETC,

Mr Pyke's notice of motion on this subject was as follows : — " (1) That it is desirable to convene a special meeting of the chamber to consider the present mining laws, and other cognate subjects, including the continuance of the gold export duty and the Btatus of mining brokers ; (2) that such meeting be convened for the day of May, 1890."

Mr Ashchoft said that Mr Pyke had authorised him to make a suggestion in connection with this matter. It was stated that as there were several important issues involved in it, it would be a desirable matter to come before the chamber in a carefully prepared form, and he would therefore move that it be referred to the committee to consider and report upon. He proposed that that course be adopted. Mr Hastings seconded the motion, which was carried.

MINING MANAGERS' CERTIFICATES. In accordance with notice given, Mr Binns moved — « That this chamber respectfully urges upon the Government the necessity of provid. ing for two classes of certificates for mining managera under • The Mining Act 1886,' and 'The Coal Mines Act 1886.'" He said that this was a subject of great importance to everyone connected with mining, because on the manager of the mine depended its proper working aud the safety of the men engaged in it. He referred at length to the present "shift" examinations which are set for those wishing to pass the mining manager's examinations, alleging that many capable and experienced men often went up to them only to fail because they were not used to sitting for six hours or so daily for three of four days consecutively. Some alteration should be made in this direction, but at the same time he quite recognised the necessity of an examination of some kind before certificates were granted to applicants. Mr John Mouat seconded Mr Binns' motion. He said that it was his opinion that the Legislature should have dealt with mining managers of experience as they dealt with experienced pharmacists, for instance — viz., issue certificates to those who had worked for many years by virtue of their practice, He thought that was a matter that should be inquired into, and, if possible, brought about. Another thing, and one he would take leave to particularly bring under the notice of their chairman, was that in the Mineß' Act a very great number of different matters were referred to. If this subject of 1 mining (management were comprised in a

separate act more attention would be given to it and it would be more fully considered by the Legislature, with the result that a' better act would be obtained.

On the suggestion of the Chairman this matter was also referred to the committee to consider.

MR REEVES' MOTION.

Mr C. S. Reeves, in accordance with notice, moved— •" That the Minister of Mines be requested to have inserted annually in the New Zealand Gazette the names of all certified mine managers in the colony, and that the secretary be requested to send a copy of this resolution to the Minister of Mines."

Mr J. Ashcroft seconded the motion, which after a short discussion was carried.

HONORARY MEMBEBS.

Mr Pyke not being present it was agreed to refer his second notice of motion to the committee. The motion was as follows :—": — " That the acting chairman and presidents of mining associations be honorary members of the council."

THE REEFTON RESOLUTIONS.

A number of lengthy suggestions from the Retifton committee, which were before the late Mining Conference, were also referred to the committee for a reporr.

COUNCIL MEETING.

It was agreed that tho council should hold a meeting at an early date to deal with the motions before the meeting that night, especially those by Mesers Pyke and Binns, so that they might be laid before Parliament at its next sitting.

A vote of thanks to Mr D. H. Hastings for allowing the chamber the use of the room was carried, and the meeting closed.