CARRICK RANGE WATER RACE.

Cromwell Argus, Volume III, Issue 128, 23 April 1872, Page 5

CARRICK RANGE WATER RACE.

TURNING THE FIRST SOD. (From a Correspondent.) On Saturday last, about 4 p.m., the first sod of the Carrick Water Race was turned, J the undertaking christened and, to all intents and purposes, virtually commenced. There were about sixty people on the ground, attracted doubtless from wishing to see so im- j portant a work commenced ; the copious supply of wines, spirits, and lunch al fresco of | course had nothing to do with their numbers. The laclies, talcing courage from the good treatment they received at the opening of the Stir and Oak battery, again put in an appearance. Your correspondent was desired to impress on the minds of the public that the Wealth, Beauty, and Talent of the district were there assembled, and thus expresses his thanks to the gentleman who | pointed out tile living embodiments of these i three essential elements to successful gaj t Innings. The short time occupied in waiting for the ! discovery of a shovel was relieved from mo- ! notony by a dog-light. Old enemies of the canine order meeting from distances appear on such occasions to try to settle old grievances, and all'ord a mild excitement in so doj ing. In this ease, however, the combatants ! were separated, and one being quietly dropped down a shaft, there was an end of the melee. James Taylor, Esq., then introduced Miss j Stuart to the visitors as one of the first j lady-shareholders in the Company, as being | deputed to break the everlasting one buttle ol j wine that is used on such occasions, and to j perform the oral or sacerdotal part by ad- | dressing the godfathers and godmothers-who | stand around when such ceremonies aie con- | ducted or such christenings made. The little lady, in clear, distinct tones, said as follows : —"Ladies and Gentlemen, —We '■ are here met to christen an undertaking that I has long been talked of, and 1 trust its sucI cess will be commensurate with our hopes, — not with the tardiness of our commencing I u 1 orations. I hope it will be as successful as ! wo can desire, be the nuvaus of supporting a : thriving and industrious population; and 1 i hereby christen this ' The Carrick Range Vi ater Race.'" The little lady spoke more \ equably and pertinently than any of the suc- ; ceeding speakers. . His Worship the Hayor, following, informed his hearers thai he considered this '. the most memorable event witnessed on the i Carrick Range. Difficulties always loomed .\ greater in-the distancu than when close at 'jlmud; and the diiliculties in carrying out ' i such an undertaking as thai they were there • j to commemorate wore more imaginary than ; j real. They all had hoard much about pa •! troidbing loeal industries, from hsn to iutx, , ; ;ii.d whisky to woollens, and he failed to see, i- I ■ i ■ .1 I wnen suczi an opening as tiie present ocI cuued, why they should not avail themselves

<>f the chance. He was satisfied that as a speculation it was one of the best paying ones iu the Colony, and that the cost'of construction would be considerably less than the capital of the Company. The inhabitants of the district were quite able to undertake and complete such a work a3 the present without soliciting Brogdeii to provide them with water on security, as the people of Auckland and Christehurch had done. It was a scheme specially singled out for commendation and support by Mr Haughton ; it had proved to be practicable and cheap ; and he was convinced in his own mind that before next Christmas the water would be running over its destined course, and the public and Province benefited thereby. Mr Marshall dwelt at some length upon the advantages that would accrue to the Bannockburn on the completion of the race, and pointed out how it could be utilised again and again. It had been wanted and waited for for many years ; gullies that were known to be payable could not be worked for the I want of it, while the new development of our | quartz-reefs demanded a cheap motive-power, substituted for steam, to reduce the price of crushing, and thereby enable reefs to be worked that now remained dormant. Mr Smythies then gave, for the informai tion of the visitors, the salient engineering [ features that characterised the undertaking ; I but as they have already been published iu I your columns, it is needless to repeat them. • lie suggested the expediency of planting 1 trees along the course Of the race, not only j for the reason that they would afford a supply i of timber for mining purposes, but that many j advantages would result from their climatic influence, lie took the opportunity to tell his hearers that he was prepared and would be glad to receive applications for shares. Mr Stuart, in proposing Prosperity to the i Carrick Range Water Supply Company, said \ that he had been interested in seeing the race J cut for more than four years ; and he was I sorry that the individual who first brought J it before his notice was not here to particiI pate in the pleasure it would ensure him. lie had no doubt that in twelve months the Carrick Water Pace would be an accomplished fact ; and publicly stated that the Company were willing to receive tenders from any combined party of miners on the Range to cut portions of the race, the payment to be made in scrip and cash, in certain proportions. Of course, those who would lake most scrip were the men for the Company. The benefits resulting from the Company's undertaking would be,most highly estimated after its completion. Mr Sherriri briefly responded. Mr Hickcy, M.P.C. for Kawarau, proposed " Prosperity to the District," and dilated on the advantages that would result from the undertaking ; said the water should have been utilised several years since ; and trusted it would enable the resident minors to erect commodious and comfortable dwelling places and obtain wives-. At this stage of the proceedings, the champagne Appeared to have got into people's heads and oiled their tongues ; for when three cheers were duly given for the prosperity of the district so dear to our represeu tativc, an excited individual waxed wroth at the General Government, and reviled them in set measured terms. Mr Shanly proposed " The Ladies/' to which Mr Smythies responded ; the Member for Kawarau began that well-known and popular refrain, " For they are jolly good fellows": and a pleasant party, assembled for a good and wise purpose, "decamped" to their homes,—pleased with the purpose of their meeting, the' geniality of the weather, and all the other surroundings.