Dec. 22.] THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE. 1655
fusing such application until the ground shall have
been visited by himself or by some person ap-
pointed by him.
146. Notices to be posted by the Warden.—
Notices of all prospecting claims granted, with
full particulars of locality, yield of gold, and de-
scription of workings, shall be posted by the
Warden on the outside of his office for public in-
formation.
147. Where Prospecting Claims to be obtained.
—It shall not be lawful for the Warden to grant
a prospecting claim for any new discovery at a
less distance than two miles from any previously-
existing workings in alluvial ground, nor for any
new discovery of a quartz reef at a less distance
than half a mile from any previously-existing
quartz workings.
148. Occupation of Prospecting Claim.—The
boundary marks of every prospecting claim shall
be maintained, and a notice with the words “pro-
specting claim” shall be kept posted on the
ground until the application is dealt with, and, if
granted, the claim must, unless by special per-
mission of the Warden, be fully occupied within
seven days from the date of the grant.
149. Assisted Prospecting.—The Warden may,
if he think fit, grant a prospecting claim to the
actual discoverers of new gold workings con-
jointly with persons who have assisted them in
prospecting either with contributions or other-
wise, or with other persons who may be nomi-
nated by the actual discoverers, although the said
persons may not have been on the ground prior
to the granting thereof.
150. Prospecting Area.—The Warden may, upon
the application of any person, grant the right to
occupy for not more than three months for a
“prospecting area” at a distance of not less
than two miles from any existing workings in
alluvial ground, or, in the case of quartz work-
ings, at a distance of not less than half a mile
from any existing quartz workings : Provided
that in no case shall any such prospecting area
be granted within a radius of half a mile of
any other such prospecting area: Provided, fur-
ther, that such right to occupy shall only
continue in force until gold is struck, in which
case the discovery shall be reported, or until the
holders are required by the Warden to mark a
prospecting claim; in either of which cases a
prospecting claim shall be marked and applied
for as provided in foregoing regulations, and
protection shall thereupon cease as to the re-
mainder of such prospecting area.
151. Protection for Prospecting Areas may be
renewed.—It shall be lawful for the Warden to
renew from time to time the right to occupy a
prospecting area : Provided that such renewed
right to occupy shall not be granted for more than
three months at any one time.
152. Prospecting Areas to be continuously
worked.—Every prospecting area shall be con-
tinuously worked by at least two men during the
entire period of occupancy.
PART XVI.—REGULATIONS FOR
AID TOWARDS PROSPECTING.
153. Upon the Council of any county, or, where
the Counties Act is not in force, upon any Road
Board, adopting the following regulations for pro-
specting for diamonds, gold, silver, or tin, the Go-
vernment shall, subject to the following conditions,
subsidize by pound for pound the amounts ex-
pended by each County Council or Road Board,
as the case may be :—
(a.) Such local body shall submit its pro-
posals to the Minister of Mines for ap-
proval before any agreement is made by
the Government for subsidizing and
prospecting as aforesaid.
(b.) On the application and proposals having
been approved of, each payment on ac-
count of subsidy shall be made on the
certificate of the County Chairman in
the case of a County Council, and in the
case of a Road Board on the certifi-
cate of the Chairman of the said Board,
or such other person as may be ap-
pointed by the Minister.
(c.) The amounts payable by way of subsidy to
any County Council in any one year
shall not exceed £500.
(d.) The amounts payable to any Road Board
in any one year shall not exceed £200.
(e.) The Government shall subsidize by pound
for pound any amounts expended by
County Councils or Road Boards in the
purchase of boring appliances to be used
for prospecting purposes.
Class I.—One party of two or three men in
each riding of any county will be subsidized at
the rate of 15s. per week per man for prospecting
new and unprospected country three miles from
any main or district road and from any known
workings.
Class II.—One party of two or three men in
each riding of any county will be subsidized as
under while prospecting partially-worked and
prospected country within tolerably easy access of
road communication :—
Sinking.—Dry ground : 1s. per foot from sur-
face to 15ft., 2s. per foot from 15ft. to 60ft., 3s.
per foot from 60ft. to any greater depth. Wet
ground, requiring slabbing : Double the above
rates.
Tunnelling and Driving.—Through drift or
blue reef: 1s. 6d. per foot for the first 500ft.,
3s. 6d. per foot for next 500ft., 4s. 6d. per foot
for next 500ft., or any portion of 500ft. Through
hard rock or cement requiring blasting, or through
pug : 5s. per foot. All tunnels and drives to be
at least 4ft. by 3ft. 6in.
Prospectors under both Class I. and Class II.
are required before commencing operations to send
in their names to the County Council or Road
Board, who must approve of same.
The locality of prospecting operations must also
be stated, for the approval of the Council or Road
Board.
Each prospecting party must send in a report,
once in every month, to the Council or Road
Board to whom a subsidy is payable, setting forth
the nature, extent, and result of operations during
the previous month.
All measurement of work done under Class II.
shall be made by the County Engineer, Road
Overseer of the district, or other person appointed
by the local body, who will be required to certify
to the voucher for payment.