THE LAKE BRUNNER RACE CO.

Grey River Argus, Issue 97, 25 August 1866, Page 2

THE LAKE BRUNNER RACE CO.

(To the Editor of the Grey Biver Argut.) Siiv — Letters have recently appeared in your columns respecting-the aboveirientioned Company, fronr it would seem that from various causes the" undertaking is languishing and is in danger of utterly collapsing. As a contributor to the guarantee ' fund, and an earnest believer in the legitimacy of the scheme, I am induced to draw attention to a few circumstances, which appear to mo to" constitute, some of v the reasons of the want of progress in the carrying out of the undertaking^ First and foremost there is the fact that the scheme has not received that attention from the. merchants of Greymouth that its merits really demand. The excuses .ire made that "the race cannot* be constructed for the money ;" that "it is doubtfuliif the water can be brought in at the required level ;" that " the company is not organised on a good basis," and others of a similar nature. Now, Sn, if tl^e persons who are so ready in giving expression to their doubts, had any real interest in the v matter they should at least emlea\ r or to asccitaiti their correctness or otherwise. They are willing to admit that if the proposed race is a practicable- undertaking, and that if the -estimates, of the promoters are reliable, the undertaking would be of immense beneilt to the district. Let them then show the grounds on which they build their doubts, and I am sure no one would more earnestly listen to ijhem than those who have originated the scheme. The promoters have at a cost of more than L3OO done what they could to arrive at a. knowledge of the practicability of bringing in the water, and a duly qualified' Surveyor has declared that a large and never failing supply of Wcvter.ca» be obtained, wlthiuv the cost contemplated by tho projectors of the company. lam sure" .that 1 am but expressing the feelings of the present shareholder? when I say that they court the fullest investigation of the proceedings of the company up to the present time, and that they are quite-ready and willing to reorganise, the company on .any other basis that can be shown to be butter calculated to carry out the undertaking. I believe that another reason— at least it has- been raised as an objection in many instances, is the large amount which has been paid and still' remains to be paid for preliminary expenses. I, admit that the amount is : large, much larger than the promoters ever calculated as bemg tnecessary. But the explanation, is an easy one— viz., that the time occupied in the survey was extended to beyond double that contemplated, owing to the circumstance that the originally selected point of water supply was found to be of insufficient elevation. -It is very M'ell for people now to say that the survey could have, been done in less* time, and -.no doubt it could, now that the source of supply has been ascertained. The Company's surveyor had to search for this supply, and that too in a district of a very difficult character and almost entirely unknown. But whilst acknowledging the industry and ability of the surveyor, I am free to admit that I, think he would promote as well his personal interests as those of the Company were he to consent to a reduction in his scale of remuneration— a scale that was arranged on the expectation that the work would 'not occupy more than a third of the tinio it actually did. . My advice to my fellow shareholders, and to their directors, is to convene a" public meeting, and to lay before the public -tile* exact state of affairs, and , invite discussion. If any course can be shown open by. which the objects of the Company can be accomplished, I am sure that the present share- ' holders will be glad to adopt it. I am, &c, ■■''- ' . ■ A Shareholder.