THE Grey River Argus. PUBLISHED DAILY. TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 1872.

Grey River Argus, Volume XII, Issue 1118, 27 February 1872, Page 2

THE Grey River Argus. PUBLISHED DAILY. TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 1872.

During. the present; visit to the West Coast of Mr Haughton, the. recently-ap-pointed Secretary for the Gold Fields, it is necessary in the interests of the residents in these districts that their attention should be directed to the Government scheme of water supply for the Gold Melds of the Colony. Mr Haughton's mission is more particularly to enquire into the circumstances of these Gold Fields with the view of ascertaining how an abundant supply of water can be brought into the districts which are known to be auriferous, and which have hitherto languished for want of that necessary element; It is well-known to everyone who has been any time resident on the West. Coast 1 that the whole country is more or les3 auriferous, and more especially in the Grey District, where with an abundant supply of water thousands of acres which are now lying useless would richly repay the labor of the sluicers. At the same time no district in the Colnny presents better facilities for the bringing in of a gigantic water-race that will be the means of giving permanent employment with handsome returns to hundreds, of men who aie now barely making a living, owing to the insufficient supply of water it is possible for them to obtain. The original intention of the Government was to take the matter in hand themselves, and on the report of. Commissioners to construct the main channels of water supply ; but. at the recommendation of the Gold Fields Committee which sat during last session, it was ultimately agreed to restrict. present endea- | vors to the subsidising of private enterprise, so that any party of miners who have gone to great expense and loss of time in bringing water upon any : Gold Field, and who may perhaps wish to extend, their operations, may receive the assistance of the Government. But this does not preclude fresh enterprises of a similar nature, which may be projected with some show of success, from particij pating in the general benefits of the Government scheme ; and we have every reason to believe that if the matter is carefully considered, a combination of capital and labor could be very easily projected, under the fostering wing of the Government, which would ultimately not only enrich the shareholders, but would prove of incalculable advantage to the district at large. Particular attention ought to be given to this matter, as Mr tiaughton will extend his inquiries to the Grey District during the next few days, and the opportunity should not be lost of placing before him the advantages which would accrue to the district by carrying out the scheme which was projected about six years ago, of bringing in a large water-race from Lake Brunner, or some equally good source, to supply the whole of the Arnoldand New River District. Forthe information of those who feel inclined to interest themselves in the matter^ we take the opportunity of pointing out that preliminary steps will only betaken by Mr' Haughton on the receipt of anapplication from the proprietors or ' projectors of any, scheme, and it ie only after he has satisfied himself with the bonajkks of the

Company that the Inspecting Engineer shall be called upon to examine the site of the proposed race, dam,, or reservoir, and the plans -and specifications, if any, of the proposed work, and make an estimate of the probable cost- of construction, for the information -of the Commissioner. The applications which are sent in- must state the names, and- descriptions of the. projectors, or if they be a joint stack company, then the registered particulars thereof ; the names of the engineer and manager of the enterprise ; the general description of the . water-race or races, dams, reservoirs, or. other works proposed to be constructed ; the quantity of water intended to be conveyed or stored, the length of the face or races, size of reservoirs or dams, the maximum rate proposed to be charged for the water, the nature and extent of the auriferous ground proposed to be supplied with water ; the estimated cost of the enterprise; its proposed capital ; the interests, ijE any, affected by the proposed diversion or storage of the water to be dealt with, together .with such, other matters as the Minister may from time to time order; the amount of money proposed to be borrowed. Along with the application the projectors, must deposit with the Gotnmißsioner the amount of LSO, but this amount will be returned whenever the application has been finally decided upon. The proportion of the cost of any work to which the benefits of the Act shall be extended, to be advanced or' loaned by the Government, shall not in any case exceed one-third of the actual cost of construction, and not more than £15,000 shall be advanced to any one enterprise. The grand feature of the Government scheme is that v the rate of interest chargeable, on any loan is limited to eight per cent, per annum, and the capital sum is to be repaid out of ttie profits made by the Company, iii proportion as the amount of monej r advanced by thVCJo.vernment* bears to the paid-up capital of the Company. Every scheme for which the Government aid is sought ' must be ■duly registered under, the, Mining Company's Limited Liability Act. The terms offered by the Government are certainly very liberal, and we hope ere Mr Haughton leaves this district to see some large scheme of water supply set on foot which for many years to come will very materially aid in developing the resources of this district, and give remunerative employment to hundreds of working men.