THE MINING ACT..

Otago Witness, Issue 2010, 1 September 1892, Page 14

THE MINING ACT..

A meeting of directors' and secretaries , of mining, sluicing, and dredging companies was held at the Chamber of Commerce on Monday afternoon, to consider clause 3 of the Mining Act, now before Parliament. There were present : Messrs R. H. Leary.A. Bartleman, C. Colclough, J. Mouat, J. Liston, R. Brownlee, T. Gallender, A. Hamilton, C. Braid, W. Scoular, R. AVilson, T. Brown, H. Rose, C. S. Reeves, J. Smith, J. H. Morrison, J. R. Perry, V. Pyke, T. Brydone, and others.

Mr J. Mouat, who was voted to the chair on the motion of Mr R. H. Leary, said it was not his place as chairman to make any remarks, but he considered the sting of clause 3 of the Mining Act Amendment Bill was that it was made retrospective. Of course if people took up races knowing what the law was they had no cause to complain. Mr Pvke montioned that there had been no opposition on the part of the Otago members to the measure, but thera had been from the Auckland members.

It was asked if the clause interfered with dredging, and the answer was given in the negative. , Mr Pyke said he was surprised that those interested had not moved in this matter long ago. He moved—" That this meeting of directors and secretaries of mining companies holding extensive water rights, and havine cotistructea water races costing many thousands' of* pounds, by virtue of grants and privileges heretofore granted to the said companies, protest against the retrospective effect of clause 3 of the Mining Act Amendment Bill as adopted by the Goldfields Committee of the House of Representatives, because :— (1) It will in many cases virtually confiscate the property entrusted to their care, and in other cases would lead to the destruction and consequent necessary abandonment of their water races ; (2) it will tend to and encourage frequent costly litigation between miners and water-right owners j (3) it will offer direct inducements to evil-minded persons to levy blackmail on water-right owners in the shape of compensation for ceasing to pollute the water, operations causing which, and greater damage, may be commenced for that purpose only. This meeting therefore requests that the word ' whether ' in the 3lst line, and the words ' heretofore,' or, in the 32nd line oh page 6 of the bill as now printed, may be deleted therefrom, so that the application of clause 3 may be limited to water rights hereafter araiitail only." In speaking to the rosolution Mr Tyke f>aid le had pointed out to the Minister Wiafc the measure should only apply to

water races granted hereafter. He (Mr Pyke) thought they could not express themselves too strongly to prevent this thing becoming law. He had telegraphed to Messrs Fergus and Pinkerton, but he was sorry to say that there was no member in the House from Otago who understood anything about mining matters. The northern members seemed to be far more wide-awake. In his (the speaker's) opinion the passing of the measure simply meant ruin, in four letters. They could not express themselves too strongly to put a stop to this iniquitous clause. Mr Colclougii seconded the motion. Mr Perry Bgreed with the remarks of Mr Pyke, and thought that there was a danger in insisting that no water should be polluted, as it might stop mining. He thought the question about any pollution being allowed at all should be disousted * Mr Leary would like to say he believed the Ofcago members had strongly urged that Otago should be exempted from the clause. Mr Colci^ough considered that they had got on very well under the old act. The carrying of the regulation meant the confiscation of the old races, over which hundreds of thousands of pounds had been spent. Those having races had a right to be protected under the laws they took, them up under. Mr Rose asked for information respecting the action of the Otago members of the Goldfields Committee. If the Otago members had let the clauße pass, it appeared that a privilege was being given to Auckland and not to Otago. They must have had some very good arguments adduced before they allowed it to pass. He should like some explanation about the matter. 3SIr Pyke said the Otago representatives did nothing at all— that was, so far as the newspapers told them. He thought the Mining Companies Act was being amended, but that aid not affect the matter before the moeting in the slightest degree. He had telegraphed to Mr Fergus to have Otago put on the same footing as Auckland, and he received a reply that he (Mr Fergus) objected to Otago being in it at all. He supposed Mr Fergus meant that he agreed with him. One of those present mentioned that from what he saw in the Daily Times he was certain that Mr Fergus took some action in the matter. The motion was then put, and carried without dissent. Mr Rose moved that a copy of the resolution be forwarded to the Hon. the Minister for Mines and Mr Pinkerton, M.H.R., requesting them to communicate its contents to the Otago members of both Houses of Parliament.

This was carr ed, an amendment that the names of Messrs Mackenzie, Fergus, and Valentine be added, being lost, and the meeting ended with a vote of thanks to the chairman.