TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —It is, perhaps, not generally known among the ratepayers of the Pelorus District, that in the Mining Act, 1891, provision has been made for a reward being given for the dis covery of any new goldfield; and that it matters not whether the Board adopts the Act or not it is bound to pay half the reward. Then, with re gard to the motion carried at the last meeting of the Pelorus Road Board, adopting the regulations to aid pros pecting, I, as the mover of the reso lution, which was only carried on the casting vote of the Chairman, maintain it is the duty of the Board to encourage and foster the goldmining industry when and wherever it can. In this case we are not trenching on the funds of the ratepayers, and as the Board takes no action in the matter until the £lB given by the settlers of Mahakipawa is placed in the Board’s hands, the ratepayers are perfectly secure. It would have been a great hardship to the six miners who are prepared to undertake the prospecting at the rate of only 15s per week, had the Board refused their request. It would have simply been retarding both the mining industry and the progress of the district generally. What is wanted in this mining district is a Miners’ Association, as the Govern ment will subsidise them to the extent of £SOO a year, but only £2OO a year to a Road Board. Now, Sir, I believe we have in this Kaituna Valley, a goldfield second to none yet found in Marlborough, and I have heard opinions expressed by many good miners that the Kaituna will some day be a rich goldfield, and it only wants prospecting. We all know that some good samples of gold have been found in Flat Creek, and some colours have been found on each side of the river, and I say the forming of a Miners’ Association should be seriously considered by everyone having at heart and wishing to forward the welfare of the district. The district has laid dormant long enough. We seem to be in the midst of wealth, yet everything is at a standstill, just for the want of push and energy. I am, &c., H. M. Reader.
