The Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. Resurrexi. SATURDAY, JUNE 5, 1875.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 2003, 5 June 1875, Page 2

The Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. Resurrexi. SATURDAY, JUNE 5, 1875.

While so much has been written about locking up Tairua in big leases the fact seems to have been overlooked that in this portion of the goldfield there are large areas of auriferous land removed from the occupation of bona fide miners as effectually as if they had been "reserved " .> by proclamation. Some of these licenses ■jp cover areas which are more like small ? farms than mining claims; and if fenced in they would be valuable in a short time for pasturage. The arguments used about Tairua—that all licenses granted should be fully manned—ought to apply with much greater force to these mining areas Of Hauraki North. There are no great difficulties in the way of active operations being prosecuted. The drainage of a large portion of the field is most complete, and we have a large sur-

plus crushing power, two or three extensive plants having been standing for a long time. It will be said that these claims which are idle have been legally protected. This will not be denied, but it ought to be an additional . argument in favor of vigorous and full working being insisted upon as soon; as the protection expires. A correspondent calls attention to this matter in our columns to-day, and points out the evils attendant upon such a state of things being allowed. He might have made out a much stronger case by mentioning a few of the companies whose large areas have long been characterised by a depressing inactivity. We have no • wish to particularise, but we have several in our mind's eye which only require tha attention of the Mining Inspector to be called to them to compel that official 'to initiate steps for forfeiture or fine. If some of our miners who are now spending time and money at Tairua and Ohinemuri, shepherding, were to avail themselves of the privileges of the Gbldmining Districts Act, they might get several valuable pieces of ground without going far away, or encountering the hardships which prospecting a new country entails j or else their action would compel the ■drones ' who now hold the ground to institute work, which would be of equal advantage in.- the long run by furnishing profitable and certain employment to those whose occupapations are now very precarious. In an old field like this, within reach of machinery for crushing, and with every facility for opening up ground, there is very little excuse for protection; while Tairua and Ohinemuri are in a different position, and miners could reasonably ask for the privilege. The country is rough—almost inaccessible, and there are neither roads nor crushing machines. If therefore the Act is to be rigidly enforced, a beginning .should be made at) the Thames, where the Mining Inspector will find ample scope for the exerciso of his vigilance.