This deposit could be mads large enough to cover any surface damages incurred, and if successful in getting'pa}^]^ gold, the miner to bs entitled ti hold the land by paying compensation for improvements only, and nothing in respect of the land, the same to bj settled by'arbitrat on ; in the event of Ij.'s not finding payable gold, on restoring the w si! a ita forjnsr state, and if no damage to crops has o^curr'd, he should be entitled to riceive back his deposit. Tha evil of lock ing up auriferous land is just beginning to be.felt, aii I encouragement ought not to be given ta persons ta tike up lands in the im p'.j'iite vicinity of gold workings. ItSVENUS AND BXPExSJCS. t'ndar, this heal this Conference -would daa>re to rse >rd that while it is patent that "*ili redu.j. i->a of reveuue'j ought to be met by a, like reduction of expenses, they do not approve of special taxation being imposed on inuui - 3 tft any greater extent thin any other t)ovcioa of the community, and the reduc tion, wj nuy a'lvo3ite, we trust will be

looked uooi as being based on fairness. Thadisbimiemsnfc of goldfields revenue, we would entirely leave in the hands of the ■ Government, trusting it will be based on t^e same principle. ' '

obtained are too stringent, and should be made more elastic, so as to include private parties ; also, that the subsidy, instead of being £1 to £1, should be £1 to £1. MINISTER OF MINES. The subject has only slightly come under consideration, and is now left to bo dealt wi'h by the various miners' associations. That the goldfields of New Zealand are of sufficient importance to have a resposible head we .admit;- but the two governing powers already in existence might thereby be made to conflict to a greater extent, and greater expenses might be the^result. iUIKT FOR NEW ZEALAND. The Conference would endorse the re commendation of the Royal Mint Committee, made to the Government at last sitting of Assembly. FINAL. The Conference having concluded the business of their present meeting, trust that the suggestions put, forth will meet with the concurrence of the G overnment and of the people generally. Mr. Morrison moved the adoption of the report. Mr. Ferris seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously. 