FRIDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1871.

Dunstan Times, Issue 496, 20 October 1871, Page 2

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1871.

•’Some few months since, on the occasion of Mr. C. E. Hanghton’s visit to the Dunstan, while on his tour of inquiry throughout the gold-fields upon the question of water supply, KEamerously attended meetings were liekl at Clyde and Alexandra, not so much to hear Mr. Haughton's opinions, but rather that miners most particularly interested in the subject might give expression to their individual ideas, and discuss the important topic in its most familiar points and hearings. The result was that Mr, Haughton gained a good stock of practical information thereon, which he may or may not have since turned to good advantage. Bub the business of the meetings did not end there. It was suggested, and the suggestion immediately carried into effect, that local •committees should be formed to watch the progress of events transpiring in the General Assembly, and to take such action as might be found necessary to promote the interests of the mining community Both at Clyde and Alexandra .strong committees were formed, practical men chosen, and goodly promise made of energetic action whenever ffimo and circumstances should need it. Moreover, both committees were 'unanimous on one great point, the grand panacea for ©listing ills, the great 'desideratum, ithe oneprospectivc work most urgently needed, destined, in fact, to create a now era in mining prosperity, was to bo a race of extensive proportions, taking its rise from the Manuherikia river, and commanding in its course fjniles of auriferoas ground, terminat-

ing at the Duns tan Flat. The project was to receive the hearty support of every one, and its construction urged on the Government by all legitimate efforts. Mr. Haugliton promised that the idea should receive ■his favorable recommendation, and departed, leaving the pub’ic generally in a s l ato of cheerful anticipation. But,likemanybrlghter dreams, the pleasure quickly vanished The business of the General Assembly had not long commenced before' it transpired that the Government would not, in all probability, attempt any such undertaking unless* provided for bv special legi-lation. It is not on record that't-our local committees bestirred themselves in the matter. Even when the news came that the whole subject Of water supply on the gold fields had been referred to a committee, no one seemed to recollect that the duties of the local committees lay

- as much in action as individual deliberation. All interest on the matter seemed to have suddenly collapsed. f Some time has now intervened since ' the’ Gold-fields Committee brought up | an interim report, containing im- , portant recommendations, the major 3 portion •&£ which the House will pro- - bably affirm. The report recommends : —‘‘That a portion of the loan for “ water supply on the gold-fields should “ be made applicable to other purposes “[than the supply of water,such works i “as sludge channels, for instance, cal- “ culated to promote the development “ and permanency of the gold-fields. “ That it is inexpedient that the Go- “ vernment should, except in special “cases, itself undertake the const,ruc■“tion or management of works for “ water supply on the gold fields. That “ the amount devoted to the construc- “ tion of works for water supply on “-the gold-fields by the Immigration “ and Public Works Act, 1870, would “"be more effectively and advantage- “ ously expended in association with “ private enterprise, hy advances of “ one-third of the capital necessary for “ works -carefully considered and approved of by the Board of Works.” Is there not in such recommendations subject matter for earnest thought and discussion 1 Will not the Clyde and Alexandra Committees do well to be on the alert, watching lor the first chance to avail ’themselves of the benefits to arise from the carrying into effect of these provisions .1 May they not, in the meantime, find profitable occupation in discussing and maturing plans for meeting local requirements 1 Neither the great’race nor any other undertaking will be commenced in the Dunstan district unless local energy first sets the machinery in motion. It is a delicate topic to touch on, but the mysterious influence of “local cornmitteeism” passeth understanding It entwines in its subtle convolutions budding projects of seeming health and vigor, and crushes them out of all form and semblance.