NOTES FROM THE MINES RECORD.

Otago Witness, Issue 2572, 8 July 1903, Page 34

NOTES FROM THE MINES RECORD.

(Fbojc Ova Own Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, July 2. A memorial has been received by tho Mines Department from Mr Alexander Love, Dunedin, praying for the TPs\imption of certain private lands for coal-mining purposes under the provisions of the Coal-mineT3 and Publio Works Acts, so as to enable him to convey coal from the coal-bearing area leased by him from Messrs A. and J. B. Kirkland at Fairffeld, Green Island, as the ownerb refuse to permit him to construct tho works over the land required for working tho coal area which he has leased. Mr Love has been informed that as the lands required to be resumed are not required for the purpose of conveying coal from Crown lands on lease under the Coal Mines Act tho application cannot be entertained. Proposals respecting the exploration of Fiord County by a party of four men have been submitted to the Government by Mr Donald Reid, jun., M.H.R., who states that the party is to include an experienced explorer, a mining expert, a photographer, and » working man. They would travel from Cuttle Cove, thence up the Sound to a chain of new lakes lying between the heads of Dusky and Chalky Sounds, and thence junction with the party at present forming the road from Dubky Sound to Manacouri Lake. The cost of the proposed exnedition is not to exceed £150, and the Government has been asked for a subsidy of £1 ' for £1. Mr Reid haa been informed that a sub•■idy can on'y be graH»d in accordance with the regulations under the Mining A.ct, and that

the Minister of Mines has not authority to grant assistance towards obtaining photographic views of the country to be explored or for requiring information as to its suitability for saw-milling or for sheep-farming.

A resident of Ma-erewhenua who forwarded a communication to tho Mines Department pointing out that it would be a convenience to the miners in that district if a warden's agent were appointed at Livingstone, haa been informed that in terms of subsection 137 of section 278 of tho Mining Act and regulations 5 lo 15 of the 12th May, 1902, wardens can register qualified persons to aot as agents to appear in Wardens' Courts, while, in terms of paragraph 3 of regulation 24, of the 18th June, 1900, applications in respect to mining privileges can be transmitted by post, so that the necessity for appointing persons to receive applications locally is not now necessary.