Mining Criticism. TO THE EDITOR.

Otago Witness, Issue 1898, 19 June 1890, Page 13

Mining Criticism. TO THE EDITOR.

Sib, — Now that the commotion about " Waipori dredging " has blowu over, it may not be unprofitable to look at mining criticism in general, and I may at once state that I differ entirely from those of your correspondents who hold that Sir Robert Stout, and Mr Mouat have done wrong by writing and publishing their correspondence on Waipori dredging. Indeed, the fact is there is not nearly enough of this kind of coi respotideuce. Looking at the great number of mining failures, and the large admixture of fraud and imposition that has entered into the constitution of the groat majority of th 'in, it ib surprising and humiliating to note how vory little thtsre lms been of honest, and oiiispoki:ii criticixru. Take away what has appeared in tlm Daily Timen and Witness, the (to* ul quantity in nil — or worno than nil, for silence gives cousent. Nay, worse even than that, th» Hinsill iie*hnap«r try has actually barked ar, what <ho sippear, and Try to stifle the still Kuaall voice by hen ping abuse upon the writers. Well, of oou'rm-, each onn to hi* trade; there is no accounting for t»ste. as the old woman *aid when she kissed hi-r cow.

However, to return to the letters on Waipori dredging. It is diffinult to see why such an outburst, should have been raised over Sir Rohert Stout'b letter nnd that of Mr Mouat. Sir Robert advised people to wait until they saw how the dredge now at work was progressing before more dredge* were placed upon Wnipori Plat. This and nothing more. Is there anything ro verj' dreadful in this advice ? Common flense would sugpept pnch a thing. But common sense seems to be scarcer than money during a mining fever. In n>.y case, there can be no reason for abusing anyone wht> supplies the deficiency.

Regarding Mr Mouat's letter, ir, was a plain, out-spoken statement of what Mr Mouat believed to be faef.H. Every statement was well defined, and clearly put so th .t any one oi them could be refuted ca'.ily or corrected it' not according to truth ; and from those tacts Mr Mouat drew his conclusion, which has raised such a nest of hornets about his can. Instead of refutation, there have boen nothing but abuses and imputations v? evil motives, and (jhpbHoiih both pertiueut mid impertinent — mostly tho latter.

Now what can be thought of people's motives who grow abusive because anyone advises caution

in a particular mining spec. ? It is invidious to pursue the inquiry. Nor need any exception be taken to any plain statement made about any mine. It will not make the machinery work the less satisfactory, nor will it decrease the gold in the mine by one single grain. Mining concerns' whicb are injuriously affected by criticism of this kind cannot be wiped out to soon. One thing one would like to know is, How many of those who attacked Sir Robert and Mr Mouat were vendors and promoters, and how many dupes? However this proportion may re solve itself, it is pretty clear they have injured their case rather than helped it on. People may say that they believe the dredge is like the photographer's camera— the thing can't lie; but the camera has produced spirit likenesses, and it was proved in the end that they did not come from spiritland. Ag far as the exhibited cake of 770z for two months' work is concerned, people would like to know how much out of the value of the gold would be clear profit after paying working expenses, and also why it was exhibited. It is not enough that a mining company produces gold. Shareholders have a weakness for dividends ; and yet this is the rock upon which most companies burst up. Were it not for dividends, vendors, promoters, scrip drummers, Dousterswivels, experts, &c, &c. would find a very Elysium in Otago, and especially in Dunedin. As it is they are getting on amazingly well without dividends. Contributing shareholders seem to be getting used to it, and the gentry that fatten upon them grow more refined in their tactics as developments progress. Already we have had experts who have syndicated the very syndicators ; be is abroad with all his war paint on, and before 12 months are over the number of wiser but sadder men will have greatly increased.

In fear and dread of such a development, it is to be hoped that none who have it in their power to shed a light upon the evolvement of events will be intimidated by the scribes and Pharisees. — I am, &c,

Arrow, June 10.

John A. Miller.