THE Grey River Argus. PUBLISHED DAILY. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17, 1872.

Grey River Argus, Volume XII, Issue 1160, 17 April 1872, Page 2

THE Grey River Argus. PUBLISHED DAILY. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17, 1872.

It would be strange indeed, in a comparatively young country hke this, if any scheme of the magnitude of that proposed by Mr Brogden in reference to the Mikonui race were to pass the ordeal of public criticism unchallenged. It is quite natural that our large, mercantile capitalists, and even the co-operative bodies of miners who so frequently suggest and who so geuerally carry out works fraught with all-important results to their respective disiricte, should start abashed at any one man proposing such a work as this. We have not yet been educated up to the point which permits of these leviathan operations being taken up single-handed ; arid hence the narrowness of our experience, so to speak, is very likely to render us more susceptiblo to the . idea that the granting of the privileges asked will secure, instead of any positive good, nothing short of an unmixed evil. But without at present committing ourselves to any very decided opinion upon this particular case, may it not be well to pause and consider whether, upon certain conditions, and under proper' restrictions, it may not be advantageous for the public weal that "enterprises of such pith and moment" should be thoughtfully entertained and encouraged to the fullest extent 1 Of courae the concessions asked do, on the face of them, suggest the granting for a very long period of privileges which may— or possibly may not— be prolific of large pecuniary benefits. No doubt the area of land asked for may indicate, a priori, a desire to monopolise an extent of country which it is inconsistent with some of the prevailing doctrines of the day to alienate from the sovereign people. But, after all, can it be expected that a capitalist will embark, in a strange land, the money necessary to construct some twenty-one miles of waterrace without securing a sufficient area of timber land to provide for the requirements of that race, and also, it may be, some share of the auriferous land which his capital arid his enterpise will alone render available for the general good of the community 1 It must bo always remembered that in such matters the good old maxim of "give and take" becomes a most reliable test to follow. It cannot be disputed that the commencement and construction of such a large work would necessitate the employment of a large number of workmen ; and the expenditure, be it remembered, would not tax our not too plethoric private coffers. The completion of the work would provide for many localities a good, if not an abundant, supply of water ; and it cannot be supposed that the proprietors wonld adopt so suicidal a policy as to charge anything like an exorbitant price for the water. Agaiu, in reference to the. supposed auriferous ground along the course of the race, it can hardly be anticipated that Mr Brogden would work it himself ; although even if he did we fail to see any particular injustice which would be" done, unless it can be proved that the ground might presently be worked by miners as ordinary claims. We rather incline to the opinion that if the suggestions made .were realised, Mr Brogden's policy would be to let these at present apocryphal fields, when developed .by his exertions, to miners upon liberal tribute. Such a course would open up new payable fields, and would, if the speculations now indulged in f rove sound, employ a large population and furnish a source of great benefit to the immediate district, and indirectly to the Colony generally. Upon the whole question the more reflection the subject receives the more the desirability of encouraging such proposals becomes obvious. No 'doubt the question will be considered carefully, both in reference to the known character of the country through which the race is to run, and the interference with vested interests which may be anticipated. If such a consideration is given, and a proper attention be paid to the general rules of policy which should govern the granting of such rights as these, there can be no reason why the proposal should not meet with favorable 'consideration, arid become ultimately a great public benefit. "