WATER SUPPLY.

Grey River Argus, Volume XII, Issue 1177, 7 May 1872, Page 2

WATER SUPPLY.

[to the editor.] Sir — As water supply is one of the principal topics of the day, it may not be out of place if I were to Bay a few words on that subject. It is well known that there exists a large belt of auriferous country between Clifton and No Name, which, although poor, would pay very well if water would be brought to bear on it, but it being on such a high level, it would be useless to think of getting a larger race brought into this district, and therefore our only chance is by building large dams and reservoirs in the creeks and gullies which are so numerous in this part of the country, and can befmost suitably adapted for that purpose. Now, to induce miners to undertake those expensive works we undoubtedly require to have some of our mining laws amended. For instance, let us take rule 33 of our mining regulations, which states : that water to the amount of one head, as may be required, shall, if demanded, be allowed to flow in the natural course of a creek, river, or water-course, for the use of miners working therein or for domestic purposes, independently of any right that may have been granted out of such creek, river, or water -course. Now, Sir, it niUßt be acknowledged that the days of oreek workings have gone by; and

therefore I think it would be simply justice to either to do away with this aforesaid rule altogether, or else have it modified, so that at any rate all the small water-races, which are so numerous all over Weßtland, would be exempted from its operation ; for there is this district, for instance, thickly studded with creekß and gullies, all of them either worked out or proved unpayable, while the banks, terraces and flats are undoubtedly proved to be payable for sluicing; in proof of which I may state that already there are over a dozen parties sluicing in this locality with, very fair returns, and there is plenty , of ■ room for twice as many more. Of course they will have to put up large dama, as the other parties have done, by which means most of them get their principal supply of water.

Now, one of the greatest hinderances to this locality being one of the most prosperous, is that aforesaid rule in our regulations, for although the miners in general are a fine, upright and straightforward class of peoplti'Still there are some verylow, mean fellows among them, who in truth are the curse of the country, for they will neither do any good to themselves nor will they let others do so if they can help it. You will find them fossicking about the terraces whenever there is plenty of water in the creeks, but as sure as dry weather sets in they will drop down to the creeks and go deliberately to the poor sluicers — who have spent many weary months in putting up substantial dams to enable them to carry on their sluicing operations in dry weather, and very bounceably demand a head of water down the bed of the creek, while in most instances there is not half a head coming into their dam, and thereby one or two, who but seldom pay their store bills, will very often throw five or six hardworking miners out of work. Is it, therefore, surprising that so many of our miners leave this country in disgust whenever they get a few pounds together, while such a state of things is allowed to exist ? So, knowing that you are a true advocate of the miners, I trust that you will find space for this in your valuable columns, as it may tend to draw the attention of some abler hands than mine to the urgent necessity of reformation. I am, &c, One in Favor of Reformation. Clifton, May 5, 1872.