CHAPTER XI. 



NK\V SOUTH WALES MIM.M. COMHTIO.NS. 



The largest area of land leased by the Government in one 

 block for coal mining purposes is 040 acres. One can amal- 

 gamate two or more of such blocks together, so as to make a 

 workable area, and concentrate all mining 011 one block, if 

 desired. Although it is admitted that 640 acres is not suffi- 

 cient to encourage a company to lay out money on an expen- 

 sive plant, and there is nothing to prevent a would-be lessee 

 from taking up several such blocks adjoining one another, still 

 the Government insist on forcing those who wish to work on 

 Crown lands to go to the expense of pegging out and having 

 surveyed several comparatively small blocks when one large 

 block should suit the purpose. Eor the purpose of mining 

 under laud reserved for coal mining, a charge of Is. 6d. pei 

 acre per annum is made ; but if the surface rights are also 

 required, then 2s. has to be paid for each acre on that par- 

 ticular block. When it is desired to mine for coal under land 

 not specially reserved for coal mining purposes, as is often 

 the case for 100ft. back from high water mark, the rent is 

 os. per annum, but for mining under tidal waters the rent is 

 Is. per annum. While coal is being won, a royalty of fid. 

 per ton is charged on round coal, and 3d. per ton on small 

 coal, which, in comparison with the rent paid for mineral 

 leases, is very excessive. Should the amount paid in royalty 

 exceed the rent, then no rent is charged. There are also 

 certain labour conditions to be kept up, which vary somewhat. 



Until the passing of the Land Act of 1884, which abolished 

 the power fo take up mineral conditional purchases, known 

 as M.C.P.'s, anybody improving his land to the extent of 

 '2 per acre could become possessed of the rights to all minerals 

 on the property, with the exception of the royal metal, gold. 

 In some cases land was purchased under these conditions, and 

 the improvement money put into plant for the mine and 

 development work: so now they have neither rent nor royalty 

 to pay, thus having an immense advantage over their neigh- 

 bours who work on Government land, or that leased from 

 private individuals. Landowners, who possess the mineral 



