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increased demand on the one hand and the restricted supply available under present conditions on the other.
8.
The existing system induces speculation. The largely increased price bid for the Quarry Farm last year was evidently the result of the various contracts proceeding or pending in which it was known that large quantities of granite were required. Bidders evidently expected to be able to command their own prices and very large rates have been asked.
9.
The present quarries are not efficiently worked; good patches of stone whenever they happen to crop out are unduly "robbed". There is no proper development work done and no plant is employed. Under a twelve months' tenancy this is what may be expected. One result is that the cost of procuring the stone is unduly increased, another that the quarries are never in good working order.
10.
The result is the Government gets a restricted revenue compared to what might be obtained compatibly with meeting the general interests involved.
11.
We suggest the following remedies:
The present system to be abolished. Full and free right to be given to any person or persons to quarry, store and open quarries on any approved sites. Licences to be granted by the Crown to such persons and a Royalty to be paid to the Government on all stone sold.
12.
The system herein proposed is that which obtains in quarry work in Cornwall, Aberdeen and elsewhere, and it has been found to meet all requirements. The Crown would appoint Officers to measure the output of stone, issue permits for removal, and collect Royalties. The cost of this administration would not be heavy.
As an alternative the Government could issue licences on payment of an annual fee. Taxation could be provided for by an assessment of the quarry by the Government Assessor. In new quarries one year should be allowed free of assessment for the purpose of opening out and development. The working accounts could be opened to inspection of the Assessor whenever necessary.
13.
The existing quarries should be put up separately and all quarries should be leased for a period sufficiently long to enable them to be worked on a proper system, and to warrant the putting down of efficient plant, say 20 years.
14.
The export of stone would, under the system suggested, become practicable. It would constitute a new development in the industry and form an increased source of revenue to the Government.
15.
If stone were freely quarried the construction of works in the Colony would be much facilitated, the price of stone would be lowered, and it would be more extensively employed.
16.
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-oreased demand on the one hand and the restricted supply available under present conditions on the other.
8.
The existing system induces speculation. The largely increased price bid for the guarry farm last year was evidently the result of the various contracts proceeding or pending in which it was known that large quantities of granite were required. Bidders evidently expected to be able to command their own prices and very large rates have been asked.
9.
the
The present quarries are not efficiently worked, good patches of stone whenever they happen to crop out are unduly *robbed". There is no proper development work done and no plast is employed. Under a twelve months' tegancy this is what may be expected. One result is that the cost of procuring the stone is unduly increased, another that the quarries are never in good working order.
10.
The result is the Government is a restricted revenue compared to what might be obtained compatibly with meeting the general interests involved.
11.
We suggest the following remedies:+
The present system to be abolished. Full and free right to be given to any person or persons to quarry store and open quarries on any approved sites. Licences to be granted by the Crown to such persons and a Royalty to be paid the Government on all stone sold.
13.
The system herein proposed is that which obtains in quarry work in Cornwall, Aberdeen and elsewhere, and it has been found to meet all requirements. The Crown would appoint Officers to measure the output of stone, issae permits for removal, and collect Royalties. The cast of this administration would not be heavy.
As an alternative the Government could issue licences on payment of an annual fee. Taxation could be provided for by an assessment of the quarry by the Government Assessor. In new quarries one year should be allowed free of assessment for the purpose. of opening out and development. The working accounts could be opened to inspection of the Assessor whenever necessary.
13.
The existing quarries should be put up separately and all quarries should be leased for a period sufficiently long to enable them to be worked on a proper system, and to warrant the putting down of efficient plant say 20 years."
14.
The export of stone would, under the systen suggested, become practicable. It would constitute a new development in the industry and form an increased source of revenue to the Government.
15.
If stone were freely quarried the construction of works in the Colony would be such facilitated, the price of stone would be lowered, and it would be more extensively employed.
16.
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