WATER SUPPLY QUESTION.

Dunstan Times, Issue 466, 14 April 1871, Page 2

WATER SUPPLY QUESTION.

MR. HAUGHTON AT CLYDE. A meeting of the residents of Clyde was held on the evening of Thursday, the Oth instant, at the Public Library, Clyde, for the purpose of conferring with Mr. Haughton relative to the proposed Government water scheme, The Mayor of Clyde (Mr. James Hazlett) occupied the chair. Mr, Haughton briefly explained his mission to the Goldfields, and called upon those present to offer suggestions as to the direction in which Government aid for water supply should take. - After a number of suggestions had been thrown out, it was deemed advisable, in order to allow the matter to be fully considered, and to secure the co-operation of the other portions of the district.to adjourn the meeting until the following Wednesday, the 12th inst.

A vote of thanks to the Chairman brought the proceedings to a close. On Wednesday evening the meeting resumed, at the Public Library, Clyde, the Mayor in the chair.

Mr. Alexander moved and Mr. Little seconded the following resolution, which was carried, That, in the opinion of this m eting, an increase of water supply for mining purposes is urgently required, and would conduce greatly to thy prosperity and largely increase the populatioirfof the Dunstan Goldfield.

Mr. Beck proposed, That this meeting is of opinion that the residents of the Dunatan Goldfield should take advantage of the clauses of the Public Works and Immigration Act relating to the supply of water for the goldfields. Mr. Williamson seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously. Mr. Marshall moved, This meeting is of opinion that tbe best and moat reproductive work that can he constructed under the sections of the Public Works and Immigration Act, relating to the water supply for the Goldfidds, is a water-race deriving its supplies from the Mafmhetikia River, taken at a point sufficiently high to command the known auriferous ground in Welshman’s Gully, Dry bread, Tinker’s ami Devonshire Gullies, and carried from thence ou to the Dunstnn Flat.

Mr Sims seconded the resolution, which was put and carried. Mr. Alexander was of opinion that the people of this district should confine themselves to merely local lequireinents, and leave the residents of other districts to look after themselves. The race from the Mannlierikia would pass through several districts before it got to Clyde, if it ever reached reached there. He thought if the water of the Fraser River was properly economised it would amply suffice the'wants of the district. ’» \

The Chairman pointed out that if the whide district united add went in for one comprehensive scheme, it was more likely to be favorably entertained by the Government than if each portion of it went in for a small scheme of its own. It was true that a very small sum would bring the Earnscleugh River into Clyde ; but they could cmie nearer home, and get water from the Wai Keri Keri. The race from the Mannherikia, as soon as it was brought a few miles, would pay for its further construction. Mr. Alexander thought, if the Government intended to keep the races in tlieir own hands, it would seriously interfere with existing rights. He thought a scheme in which every one could have a share, the Government to subsidise , the dipniint snbsiribed, wou’d be the

be fair for the Government to bring in arge race to compote with those who al eady had races in. The Chairman said the quettion was, whether a sum of money could be profitablyexpended in bringing water on to the goldfields. The whole country was unanimous on that point. As regards the mode in which this money should he expended, that was a matter for those who received the printed questions to answer privately, and the result of those answers would he embodied in Mr. Hanghton’s report. He himself thought that if the Government would guarantee a certain interest, plenty of money could be found in the country, and the Government saved the expense of negotia ting loans. Mr. Barlow considered it unnecessary for the Government to lay out one farthing. If a guarantee was given, plenty' of money could be obtained at once. Some time since, a company had been formed at Drybreab for the very same thing, and had the Government guaranteed a per centage, the race would have been constructed now. He thought also that the Government dvoukl never be required to pay the interest they guaranteed, for as soon as it got to Welshman’s it would pay very handsome dividends.

Mr. Sims said if they went Jin for new

works, the value already constructed races would be soriouSfy impaired; as there are many race companies who had not got back the capital they had invested. If existing rights could be improved by cuttingthem at a higher level, ho thought it would be the b«t plan to do so. Thao was water

within twelve miles, which he remarked.

after being used on tho terraces, could be used on tho banks of the Molyneux. Mr. Little said that by the plan pro posed by Mr Sims there would not be quarter enough water. They wanted population in tlio district—there was plenty of gold fornll that might come.

Mr. Beck stated that the race from the Manuherikia could be brought into Dryhread in less than twelve mouths, and into Clyde in two or three years. The party of Drybread miners who proposed to cut the race, did not think it a very great under-

taking. The Chairman suggested the formation of a district committee to watch the scheme" He believed if a good strong committee were formed, they could bring a great deal of pressure to bear on the Governments^ Air. Cambridge suggested committee, to act in con junction be formed, and moved that a committee of seven, with power to add to their number be elected for the Clyde portion of the Dnnstan district, to co-operate with other 100 1 committees that may be formed. Mr. Williamson seconded the motion, which was carried.

Air. logs suggested that the committ - e should have power to recommend any well digested scheme for local requiremenfcs-

Alr. Sims moved that the consist of miners and busings piou. Alr> t Williamson said that in a ilfining'••community like tkis, the committee should be composed solely of miners. After a short discussion, Afessrs. Sims, Alexander, Williamson, Hazlett, Faehe, Hnstie and Bankhead were elected the com. mittee.

A vote of thanks to the Chairman terminated the proceedings.