Inspection of Quartz Mills.

Cromwell Argus, Volume III, Issue 155, 29 October 1872, Page 7

Inspection of Quartz Mills.

It is to be hoped that thO “ Quartz Crushing Machines Regulation &nd Inspection Bill,” introduced by Mr Sheehan, and whicli has already passed its Second reading, will not be found amongst the reiilaihs of the slaughtered innocents. The measiire is one urgently called for in the ihterest of the Thames goldfield, and indeed of all qtiartzfields in the Colony. When one retrteiiibel’S the fearful amount of swindling that Irak been perpetrated by means of falsification Of returns of crushings, and the encouragement to theft afforded by private and uninspected batteries, the bill must be regarded as one that ought to pass into law with as little delav as possible. It enables the Governor in Council to make, alter, or amend rules and regulations for compelling, in the first place, every owner of a quartz crushing machine to take out a license for and register each tnachine owned by him, and to keep a true and coirect register of all ore delivered to him or purchased by him for the purpose of having the gold therein extracted, and the names of the persons from whom the ore was received. The Governor may also make rules for compelling all persons delivering or selling any ore to any machine-owner or retorter to furnish full particulars required to be ascertained by such machine-owner. Each machine owner is to furnish from time to time, as may be prescribed, full and correct returns to be verified by statutory declaration. Provision is made for the appointment of an inspector, whose duty it shall be to enter upon any machine premises, and to “ inspect and examine any machine, and all registers and returns required to be kept.” Persons committing a breach of tae regulations are liable to a penalty not exceeding £3OO for each offence, or to imprisonment in default of payment. The Governor may delegate his powers under the Act to a Superintendent. Should tins Bill become law it will be the means of greatly increasing the confidence of the public in the published returns from quartz mines, and put a stop to the specimen stealing which has undoubtedly been carried on to a large extent on the Auckland goldfields.—Evening Star, (Dunedin.)