Gold-fields Regulations




97

shall, if not inconsistent with the context or subject matter, have the respective meanings hereby assigned to them; (that is to say,)

The word "Warden" shall mean Warden, Commissioner, Resident Magistrate, or any other Officer entrusted with the superintendence of the Gold-fields, or any portion thereof, and holding a commission duly empowering him to have charge thereof, and shall include "Warden Assessors," except where it is otherwise specially provided.

The word "person" shall mean the holder of a Miner's Right.

The word "claim" shall mean the portion of land which the holder of a Miner's Right, or of a Business License, shall be entitled to mine in or occupy, or any share or interest in any claim held or granted under these Regulations.

The words "worked and abandoned ground" shall mean any ground the whole or greater portion of which has been mined upon for gold, and abandoned.

The words "new gold workings" shall mean ground previously unworked.

Words importing the singular number shall include the plural number; and words importing the masculine gender shall include the feminine gender.

2.—The Miner's Right.

Every person residing on a Gold-field, and engaged in mining for gold, shall take out a Miner's Right; such Miner's Right to be produced for inspection when demanded by the Warden or other officer, or by any person duly authorised in that behalf in writing by the Warden.

II.—Claims.

1.—Classification of Claims.

Alluvial claims shall mean all claims in alluvial ground.

River claims shall mean claims in the beds of rivers.

Creek claims shall mean claims in the beds of permanent streams which are or may be wholly diverted for the purpose of mining therein.

Beach claims shall mean claims situated between the ordinary high flood mark and the edge of the water on the beaches of rivers.

Quartz claims shall mean claims in quartz reefs or lodes.

2.—Size of Claims.

Alluvial claims shall not exceed 45 feet by 45 feet for each holder of a Miner's Right, unless the depth from the surface exceeds 50 feet, in which case such claim may be extended to 60 feet by 60 feet.

River claims shall not exceed 50 feet for each holder of a Miner's Right employed thereon; to be measured in the direction of the course of the stream by a width not exceeding the boundaries of the bed of the river, which shall be defined by the Warden or other officer duly authorized in that behalf, as river claims.

Creek claims shall be of the same extent, and subject to the same regulations with respect to measurement, form and boundaries, as river claims.

Beach claims shall not exceed 45 feet in length for each holder of a Miner's Right along the course of the river, with a frontage to the water, by a width bounded by ordinary high flood mark: Provided that when any beach, or portion of a beach shall exceed 50 feet in width, the Warden may, upon application being made to that effect, authorise the holding and working of any such excess by persons other than the holders of the frontage claims.

Quartz claims shall not exceed 45 feet in length along the course of the lode or vein, by a width not exceeding 100 feet upon each side of the course for each holder of a Miner's Right.

3.—Claims to be marked.

Alluvial claims and quartz claims shall be marked by pegs standing at least two feet above the surface of the ground, or by trenches at each corner thereof; river, creek, and beach claims shall be marked by pegs as specified, or by marks not less than one foot in length, to be cut upon the rocks above high flood mark; and such pegs, trenches, or marks shall be maintained during the occupancy of the ground: Provided that when any corner cannot be marked, on account of the nature of the ground, the peg, trench, or mark may be placed at the nearest practicable point.

4.—Surplus ground to be forfeited.

If any person shall occupy a larger area of ground than to which he is entitled under these regulations, he shall forfeit the surplus.

5.—Shepherding forbidden.

No person shall be deemed to possess a valid title to any claim, unless the same shall be fairly worked during the entire period of occupancy; and any claim unworked beyond the space of twenty-four hours shall be deemed to be forfeited, unless sufficient reason, such as sickness or other urgent



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Online Sources for this page:

PDF PDF Nelson Provincial Gazette 1865, No 23





✨ LLM interpretation of page content

🌾 Rules and Regulations for the Nelson South-west Gold-fields (continued from previous page)

🌾 Primary Industries & Resources
Gold-fields Act, Mining Regulations, Definitions, Miner's Right, Claims, Alluvial, Quartz, River, Creek, Beach