Mr. HAUGHTON at ALEXANDRA

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

Mr. HAUGHTON at ALEXANDRA

A meeting of the residents of the Alexandra District, convened by the Mayor (W. Theyers, Esq.), for the purpose of conferring with Mr. Haughton relative to the proposed Government Water Scheme, was held in the Public Library, Alexandra, on Saturday night last. The Mayor took the chair, and briefly introduced Mr. Haughton to the meetmg. Mr. Haughton spokj at some length on the question, and said he was ready to receive suggestions from those present as to whether it was desirable t > expend money in supplying water to the Goldfields, and, should they deem it desirable to do so, the best means of constructing such works.

Mr. Michael M‘Guinness moved, '“That this meeting considers it desirable that the Otago Goldfie’ds slkmijd take advant ge of of the General Cfnveniinent Public Works and Immigration Act, in so far as the water supply to the Goldfields is concerned.” He had no doubt that the flats and terraces in the Manuherikia district wore highly auriferous. Ho consider d that the residents in the Manuherikia dist.net shou’d put their shoulders to the wheel, and endeavor to get a fair proportion of the money borrowed expended in their district, as there was not the slightest doubt that it would be protiti ably laid out. If they had a water funppv j no district could snppoit a larger population | than the Manuherikia. It they could not j get water the population must inevitably 1 diminish.

Mr. Rivers seconded the proposition, and stated that he agreed with the previous speaker in regard to the neeesity of a water supply for the district. The project which he thought would he the best for the east bank of ihe river would he to bring in the Manuheiikia river. This project was often spoken of, and favonS-Uy entertained at Black’s and Dry bread. There was only one other stream from which a pennan nt sun. manent supply of water could be obtained, namely, the Hindis ; but the natural ohstack's in the way of bringing it in, he thought, if not insurmountable, would cause it to be too expensive. From the I Mannherikia a race, as soon as it was in

Drybread, would bo on payable ground, and he believed, if the Government brought it to that place, the miners would continue it at their own expense. There was a neverfailing supply of two hundred and fifty beads of water in the Manuhcrikia river, which could he obtained if required ; but thirty to fifty would bo sufficient. Another advantage of this scheme was that the water could be used for irrigating the large extent of agricultural country between Drybread and Clyde. There was another plan he had thought of, namely, that the Government should buy and enlarge the present races. They could be made to carry two or three times present quantity, but their supplies were not permanent. In answer to Mr. Jack. Mr. Haughton said he thought the present Act confined the Government assistance to the -“atcr

supply. The resolution was then put and passed. Mr. J. C. Chappie said that it was well known that there was largo quantities of gold scattered about the terraces in the district, and if water could only be b upon them, the late extraordinary escoii J W would bo largely increased As since the water supply question had been agitated two races had been for out of the Gorge Creek, he-flfliuld Sconfme himse’f to the east bank of the river. He moved, That a water-race, to take its rise from the

Manuherikia River, above the White Horse Hotel, to pass through Welshman’s Gully, Drybread, Tinker’s, and Devonshire, and to command the terraces on the west side of the Wai Keri Keri Valley, from thence to the Dunstan, would be beneficial to tho mining community and the province generally, Ho had no doubt that race would command an Immense extent of tho best sluicing ground in Otago. Although it would take some time to complete, a very small distance would have to bo travelled and very little expense incurred before it reached payable ground. When it reached

■ Welshman’s Gully he was sure it would , pay the cost of construction and a handsome [, per ceutage besides. They all knew of the heavy escorts recently sent from St. Bathan's and Black’s, and the richness of Drybrctd. He believed the opinion entertained by many race-owners, that the Government, hy bringing in additional supplies l of water, would act detrimentally to their interests to be erroneous. The ground, with all the water that could bo brought onto it, would not be worked out for the next fifty years. He believed, if the race be indicated wore constructed, it would be the most payable ever undertaken, and mentioned that its practicability had been demonstrated by a survey which had been made two years ago. Mr. Jack seconded the motion, and cordially endorsed the remarks made by Mr. Chappie. The motion and carried. / Mr. That a Committee, consisting of MessYs. Theyers, Jack. Rivers, FinUy, M‘Gu ; ness. L. G. Ryan, and Chappie, be anpomted to look after the interests of the district, in so far as getting a fair proportion of the money voted for a supply of water to the Goldfields. Mr, Britten seconded the motion, which was carried, Mr. Haughton, at the request of the meeting, spoke on the various subjects of goldfields interest, pointing out the maimer in w*>>ch the miners could got their ■griev: ncas redressed. A vote of thanks was passed to Mr. Haughton, and a similar vote to the Chairman brought the proceedings to a close.