The Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR P.M. Resurrexi. WEDNESDAY, JUNE 24, 1891.

Thames Star, Volume XXIII, Issue 6916, 24 June 1891, Page 2

The Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR P.M. Resurrexi. WEDNESDAY, JUNE 24, 1891.

An unusually severe shock of earthquake was experienced here at 10.53 a.m. to-day, the direction being north and south. The shock was one of the most severe that has ever been felt at the Thames. Telegrams received from Auckland, Coromandel, Paeroa, and Te Aroha state that the shock was felt at those places with equal severity.

Another Bichmond is in the field for the Te Aroha seat. Dr. Ohas. Broome, of Huntly, announces that he is a candidate, and will address the electors in the Parawai schoolhouse at 8 o'clock next Monday evening.

Tenders are required by Mr T./A. Dunlop, receivable up to noon on Saturday next, for driving 100 ft in the Victoria G.M. Co.'s mine.

A meeting .of directors, legal managers, and others interested in mining was held at the Auckland Chamber of Commerce on Monday afternoon, for the purpose-of taking into consideration "thd present wholesale forfeiture of licensed holdings- by instructions from the Mines Department." Mr Porter occupied the chair. The Chairman stated that any wholesale forfeiture of licensed holdings would be bad for the miners and for the local bodies. There could be no doubt that in many mines very little work was being done. It would be no special benefit to miners to throw leases back upon the goldfields unless others were willing to take them up, and the extra expense •f re-surveying, and other such matters, must also be considered. As long as the rent was paid, it would be better that the ground should be held, even if it were not worked, than that it should be thrown back upon the goldfields. Mr D. B. McDonald moved the following resolution, to be forwarded to the Minister of Mines: —"That this meeting views with alarm the unusnal zeal lately manifested by the Hauraki Goidfields' officials in enforcing the regulations as to fully manning quartz-reefing mines, believing that undue rigor in this respect is inimical to the best interests of the working miners, and calculated if persisted in to prove fatal to the mining industry in the Haurabi Goldfield." He said that there did not seem to be much in the resolution, standing by itself, but in the light which events had thrown upon it, it meant a great deal; He believed that the action referred to was inspired by the head of the Department. This belief was borne out when the expressions made nse of by him during his recent triumphal tour were called to mind. This determination to compel holders of mines to fully man their holdings was also inspired by persons who were not horia, fide miners, but who hung round in mining districts inventing long stories of the grievances of miners, and drinking long beers. It was such men as these who were continually taking action against persons who were in good faith intending to work their mines. —Mr Melville seconded the resolution. —Mr Harrow thought that as far as New Zealand mines were concerned the Government should receive a vote of thanks for the confiscations already made, and should be asked to cenfiscate many more. He would propose a vote of thanks to the Government for their action. This resolution found no secender. —Mr Brodie said he would like to place the matter "in a proper light. He was of opinion that the appointment of a committee would be the best solution of the question. He was at the Thames a week ago, and he believed that the intention at the Minister of Mines had been entirely misrepresented. The Minister only wanted to prevent ground from being locked up for an unlimited period, without any guarantee that it would be worked. If any person was desirous of receiving relief, the i patter would be duly considered.—Mr Macky ; tftafcod .that he knew for certain that the Warden had fifc&fced that where a fair amount of work had beep dflns in any mine, although not properly, manned, fchfii-.s need be no fear of forfeiture; b»t where ther.e had been no work done, and nothing io account for the mine not being properly manned, the holding would bje , forfeited. —Mr p. & MacDonnell impressed upon the meeting the nesessjty of amepdjng the law. By the existing fow any man could i lodge a complaint against a mine holder or company, without haying to make any deposit. | The defendant wouid haye to defend his action, in s<>me cases afc great cost, and the complaint might turn oufc to fee utterly frivolous. Anyone lodging a comeiataft should be compelled to make a deposit, andia^e the complaint should prove frivolous the defendant should be allowed costs. Anyone paying resi should not be interfered with unless someone was p&ejjared (to .say that the mine was unmanned, and that lie was prepared to work it; and also to show aatisfaotory ycaaone fro prove that he was able to work it. Thjs p,o,w.e? ,<?f l#dgjng complaints was greatly abased, afldj ?n many pagty. those who complain will not take jfee gr.ound £hesi- ■ selves. Such regulations prevented .outajd^i from investing in tue fields. What was wanted was greater security of tenure.— Mr Mcßoaatffift motion was then put and carded.— Mr MeivzHe &h.en moved, "That the following gentlemen eon«*ite&? a committee to consider the question of making aiseya£|oa£ in the regulations as indicated at the meetfag H. M. Shepherd, D. G Mac. Bonnet, ft. MpDonald Scott, J- B: Gilfillan, and the mover// Thj? wa3 also carried, and fcbe meeting terminate'fi..

Asr exhibition of interest to loyers of fch.e " fistic art" will take place in the Academy of Music on Saturday and Monday evenings, when Messrs Mulholaud aud 3. T. Donovan, in conjunction with the well-known pugilists Barnes, Donovan, Wva. Armstrong, and ,t,he local athlete, 3. Gallagher, will appear. A gold medal will be given for the best local boxer, and lyjulholand will undertake to stop any njau OB i)b» Thames in gis rounds,

The manager of the New Moanatairi [mine telegraphed late this afternoon :—" 20'lbs picked stone from Golden Age reef, western drive, 100 ft level.—G. S. Clark."

Important.—Fifty tons New Teas arrived in ona week, direct from India, China, and Ceylon, for Arthur Nathan's Tea Department. This will give the public some idea of the popularity of his wonderful Teas. 2s and 2a 6d per lb ; that is all.

It will be recollected that during the Hon. R. Seddon's recent visit to the Thames the matter of having two grades of mine managers' certificates was urged upon him by a deputation from the Thames Miners' Union. We learn that effect is to be given to the wish of the deputation, and a provision of that nature will appear in the new Mining Bill.