MINING INDUSTRY.

Thames Advertiser, Volume XXVI, Issue 7959, 30 October 1894, Page 3

MINING INDUSTRY.

AN IMPORTANT MEETING.

DEEP LEVELS QUESTION.

MR McGOWAN AND AUCKLAND

ENTHUSIASTS.

Auckland, October 29. An informal meeting of persons interested in the development of deep mining at the Thames was held at 11 o'clock to-day in the ' hamber of Commerce, and was well attended.

Mr G.JS. Kissling was voted to the chair, and explained that the meeting was held in order to hear what Mr McGowan knew with regard to the proposals of the Government anent the deep levels at the Thames. Mr Kissling said that nnless something was done very shortly he was afraid that the works at the Thames would come to a stop altogether. It was with considerable difficulty that the mines could meet their contributions to tho Big Pump, and if that stopped of course the effect would be disastrous to the raining industry at the Thames,

Mr MoGowan, expressed pleasure at seeing so many present. .He said he was not speaking on behalf of tho Government, or with its authority, but as a mining representative, and he thought it > well to call them together in order to state what was really the true position of affairs. They had heard that Government did not do much for mining in the North, and so bo wished to tell them exactly how matters stood. If they were united and prepared to go on with deep sinking at the Thames, Government was prepared to assist. Most people seemed to think that deep sinking would bosin a fresh era in the history of the Thames goldriald, and if they were prepared even now to spend £25,000 on the Thames the Minister of Minos was ready to commit Government for half that amount. It must,'however, be understood that Government would not aid a single company, the object being to help the whole of the district. What was done must, however, bo done, at once, as aid could only be obtained for the North goldfield, on the West Coast, and at Otago. He noed scarcely point out tho importance of taking advantage of the. first opportunity, for those who applied first would no doubt get the money this year, and it was hardly likely that all three districts would get grants the first year. If the would only combine at the Thames aid would be forthcoming, Ho did not intend to enter into any particular scheme. All he wanted was to develope deep mining in order to benefit the whole district/ If they choose to be divided, one lot pulling in one direction and another in the opposite way, they might rest assured that Government would not be anxious to step in and help to settle their difficulties, while the other part of the colony would be quite ready to take advantage of the assistance offered. MrR. Mcßonald Scott said tkat the 1 remarks made by Mr McGowan were exactly in accordance with his own ideas. He had been moving in the direction of calling a meeting of all the Board of Directors in order to lay before them a comprehensive scheme for developing fhe deep levels at the Thames Mr McGowan said he knew that Government had. been blamed for being apathetic towards mining in the North, and he agreed that such was the case in some instances, but that special apathy had been shown to the Thames was not true. The apathy was on the part of the people owing to their divisions. The goldmining is an industry worth looking after, and not any particular interest. He might mention that one amendment of the Mining Act made it necessary for a baUery manager to have a certificate, but that did not apply when tho battery was con'iguous to the mine, It was requisite iu a case like the Waihi mine, where the battery was some distance away for the battery manager to have a certificate} os the mine manager could hardly be held responsible under such circumstances.

The Chairman: Do I understand that Government will only assist in the event of rained h»ing combine! ?

Mr -McGowan: Yes! All the mines must come out that are within the drainage area.

Mr Lennox considered the Govern? roent was right iu taking that position. It required a comprehensive scheme. Ho had just returned from Ooromandel, and was glad to learn that, the shaft was now down 800 feet, and in a splendid country, and the mauagor considered there was every prospect of getting good gold. That showed the advantage of deep sinking

Mr Friar Olnrko asked whether the grant would be for boring only ? ' Mr McGowan said that iii would bo for sinking' and mining. If they wore anxious to bore tho Government apparatus «as af their disposal. Tin GovernmeiU would assist to sink 3000 foot if they wished. The day bud iron'; by for gofclinp .650,000 or £100,000 to waste, but fchn Government would assist if steady work worn dm e If they did not this offer they would not got anything. If mining nvu wero prepared to goto work hero was •he aid offered If they did did not- wcoptit they noed no! blame the Government.

Mr Olarko said that thciv. would bo no (loop sinking at the Thames until there had been bores nut down. If the Thames deep levels were devoloped it would have to bo done by foreign capital. Mr Lennox considered thai Mr McGowan deserved their thanks for his action

Mr R. Scott moved a rote of thanks lo Mr McGowan, and said that ho would almost immediately lav tho schomo beforo tho directors of tho companies within tho drainage area. The motion was adopted.