The Dunstan Times. Beneath the Rule of Men entirely just the pen is mightier than the sword FRIDAY, MARCH 24, 1871.

Dunstan Times, Issue 466, 24 March 1871, Page 2

The Dunstan Times. Beneath the Rule of Men entirely just the pen is mightier than the sword FRIDAY, MARCH 24, 1871.

We suppose that by this time Mr. Charles E. Hatjoiitox, M.H.R. lias concluded his duties anent the Water Supply Commission. We should imagine that the evidence, though very contradictory, must nevertheless he exceedingly interesting, while, doubtless, many valuable suggestions will have been made. The great Coliban Water Scheme in Victoria appears not to have proved the success anticipated, as the Government there intend to place the whole affair in the hands of the different local bodies. This has been a most costly work, and its want of success as a Government scheme should lie a lesson to us in Now Zealand. The most feasible plan to increase the water supply to our goldfields, and the one most likely to prove successful, would be to render direct assistance to mining parties engaged in large undertakings in bringing in

water. This could bo done by grants of land or by money payments for labor, to be in the shape of a loan, say to the extent of one-half of the cost of the work, the Government to hold the works as security until the money is repail. This would be much better than the entire undertaking being performed by the Government. It would prevent jobbing and favoritism, and the water would be taken only to those localities where it was wanted. To construct a large water-race, at the present rate of wages, especially as water would now have to be brought from considerable distances, and many natural difficulties to be overcome into the bargain, would prove a most costly affair; would require an immense amount of supervision ; and, perhaps, prove a failure in the end: for, as a rule, what should be done by private enterprise cannot be very successfully accomplished by a government. Give the miner a direct interest in the work and he would require no supervision. He would be, as it were, laboring for himself, and, as soon as the undertaking became remunerative, he would be able to reimburse the State for the outlay. There would be no permanent locking-up of capital, and it could be similarly employed in assisting the miner over and over again. \Ye feel assured that there are hundreds ot miners who would take an interest in any such undertaking to the amount of one half of their wages, while many would accept land in lieu of money There would be no obligation in this case on either side. The transaction would be a perfectly legitimate and business-like one, and each party to the contract would protect their own interest. To increase the productiveness of the goldfields an increased water-supply must be obtained. There is an unlimited area of ground to be operated upon, and water is the only mechanical means we have to work with. It is not a, question of.want of gold that we have to deal with : it is the lack of appliances to extract it from the soil of which we have to complain.