The Thames Star. Resurrexi. TUESDAY, JUNE 1, 1898. THE OUTLOOK FOR THE THAMES GOLDFIELD.

Thames Star, Volume XXX, Issue 9088, 7 June 1898, Page 2

The Thames Star. Resurrexi. TUESDAY, JUNE 1, 1898. THE OUTLOOK FOR THE THAMES GOLDFIELD.

TRIBUTES AND ' GOVERNMENT > RELIEF WORKS. Seldom—if indeed ever—in the history of the Thames, has the unemployed difficulty stared us so keenly in the face as at the present moment. Almost every week it is our unpleasant duty to chronicle the discharging of wages men by some of our English com panics, and the outlook has gradually become so serious that ifc is absolutely imoerative in. the interests of the business people of the Thames and the miners themselves, that some prompt, dnd decisive action should be taken to, as far as possible, assist in placing the affairs oi the goldfield upon a'more satisfactory basis. The frequent letters which have appeared in our correspondence columns demonstrate in a most unmistakable manner how strongly public opinion is growing in favor of some immediate action being taken to find an outlet for the unemployed, and also convey an idea of the widespread {dissatisfaction that exists in consequence of no steps having been taken I in the matter by the representative for 'the district (Mr J. McGrowah}, the Mayor (Mr Scott;, or any of our other public men." Those who aspire to and accept responsible public positions should recollect that they are expected to at all times v watch over and guard the public interests— to act and take a leading part in all matters having for- their object the bettenrent of the condition of the citizens of the community, or the advancement of the district in which they reside. Something more than a mere delegate is expected of them. A real live interest * in the affairs of the district is necessary, not only at election times, but throughout the whole term of office, and if it s not displayed, the day of reckoning must come sooner or I later.

Time was when the Thames district was always foremost in urging its claims upon the Government—when it was in the front-rank in advocating the prosecution of such works or sohemes as would advance the goldfield. But of late years times have changed sadly, and slowly bui surely many of our public men and those who from their stake in the goldfield should be looked upon as leading citizens —we mean leading in the sense of taking a lead in matters of public welfare—have drifted into a state of indifference that is almcst criminal in its character. It is, however, never too late to mend, and now that the affairs of the district have reached such an acute stage, we sincerely trust that our leading citizens will bestir themselves. The question next arises, "Howcan the present deplorable condition of the goldfield be improved ?" To this we emphatically answer that the first step must be iv the direction of compelling companies, whose areas are manifestly under-manned, to let blocks on tribute at a reasonable percentage. Why there should be the slightest objection to this is certainly beyond our comprehension. Innumerable special claims of 100 acres each are at the present time being manned—with the per-, mission of the Warden—by two or three men instead of the statutory 33, With, that we have little fault to find, as we have always been opposed to the adoption of any extreme and have favored the giving of every reasonable encouragement to outside investors. But when these applications for protection are repeatedly made every four months, and the owners positively refuse to let any tributes in the mine, the matter assumes a totally different aspect, and it become absolutely imperative, in the interests of the whole community, that either this limited protection should be per* I emptorily refused, or that itshculd be granted conditionally upon tributes being let at a fair percentage. If owners cannot see the reasonableness of such a proposal, then they are exceedingly blind tatheirown interests, and should ta compelled to fully man their claims or holdings, failing which a plaint should be instituted by the Mining Inspector for their forfeiture. At a recent meeting of the Chamber of Mines it was suggested that if the companies consented to let blocks on tribute, a clause should be inserted in the agreement by which a tributer ! making a " find " or important disI covery should hand over his tribute to tho company upon payment of a sum of money to be decided by the parties, For our own part, we think that such a proposal would lend to a good deal of trouble and confusion, and be the cause of considerable heartburning on the part of the tributer. We will suppose, for instance, that after many months of unprofitable labor, the tributer obtains quartz of a slightly more than payable character, but that the mineral indications are such' as lead him to believer—as the result of his knowledge and experience of the locality—that as the reef is opened up he will obtain a rich patch of gold. The company's representative also entertains a similar opinion, and is determined tbat before that patch is unearthed the tributer shall be bought out Would it be fair to squeeze out the tributer at such a juncture by the payment of a few paltry pounds ? And if the tributer did not consent to being squeezed out, might not the company's representative make it exceedingly unpleasant for him, by placing all sorts of obstacles in his way in the success

ful working of his tribute block ? We do not say that such a thing is likely to happen. We only point out what could occur, to the detriment of the tributer, and if they are wise the miners will resist any such condition aa being unfair and ■detrimental to their interests. . * We think it will be universally admitted that there are at the present time more unemployed at the Thames than at any previous period in its history. That being so, it is the imperative duty of all well-wishers of the district, and all who "have a stake'in

th« place, to no«op«rate in getting; tljoM mm •mploymeat tad .retsiaiftf

them here. This is why, as an* immediate measure, we strenuously advocate the throwing open of our under-manned mines on tribute. Then, again, a» the winter give* promise of being-exceedingly acute, we are of opinion that Government relief works should be established, such as the opening up of ihe back country by means of roads aiid tracks the improvement of the main road between the Thames and Coromandel so as to make it suitable for vehicular traffic, &o. The unemployed could profitably be employed temporarily upon these and otnei public works that could be mentioned, and the sooner something is done in the direction indicated the better for all concerned. 'We would suggest that a public meeting should be held to consider and discuss the present critical condition of affairs, in the hope that prompt and successful measures may be adopted to alleviate the unemployed difficulty that now stares us in the face, and which, unfortunately, promises to become even more acute during the winter months.