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Grey River Argus, Volume IX, Issue 645, 8 March 1870, Page 2

It has long been a matter of everyday talk in this district that its best days will •not dawn until a sclicne is initiated and thoroughly carried out for bringing in a large and permanent water supply at a proper elevation to enable the miners to work the many miles of known auriferous lands now lying idle in the Arnold and New River Districts. This fact is so well known that little attention is paid to it, and although it has been ascertained practically by experienced men that a source ia available sufficient for all our requirements, year by year is allowed to pass without anything being done to give effect to the scheme. It is true that the estimates of the co3t hitherto made have been very large, when every possible expense is taken into consideration—that is, supposing the work to be carried out entirely by capitalists. But the aspect of affairs would bo very materially altered, wore the co-operative scheme adopted ;

were capitalists and working men to com- ' bine to carry out tho woi'k for their joint benefit. Within the last few clays a lesson has been taught us on this matter by the residents in the Kaniori District, which ought to bo carefully considered, and if found to work well, immediately initiated by the capitalists of Greymouth and the miners in the Arnold and New River Districts. The projected great race scheme from the K-anieri Lake to the Blue Spur, which was formerly in the hands of a company, but which fell lo the ground in consequence of the inability of the company to oarry out the original arrangement, will now be brought in by a co-operative company, consisting of capitalists and miners in the Kanieri District. Some substantial encouragement is promised by the County Chairman io the projectors, because thero is every desire to stimulate the formation of such companies, and aid them in carrying out undertakings which will not only benefit themselves but materially assistinthe opening up of the country and the development of its rich resources. We are aware that on Saturday la3t a deputation from the new company waited upon the County Chairman, and laid their project before him, whereupon arrangements were concluded by which the projectors are to receive a special claim, or claims, up to 120 acres, which can be taken up iv one block, of in blooks of thirty or forty acres, to be worked under the Gold Fields Regulations, so far as the number of men to be employed is concerned, and in other details. This race is to be completed in three years, and the blocks of land taken up within six months thereafter. These arrangements were considered so satisfactory that worlds to be commenced on the race immediately. It will carry sixty Government heads of water, and is estimated to cost between .£12,000 and but the adoption of the principle we have referred to will materially reduce the actual cost, and render the carrying out. 1 of the project much more feasible than it otherwise could have been. We hope it will not be long ere a similar scheme is floated in the Grey district.