NEW RIVER DISTRICT.

Grey River Argus, Volume XII, Issue 1293, 20 September 1872, Page 3

NEW RIVER DISTRICT.

[from our own correspondent.] September 18. Mining in this district is seriously effected by the dry weather, consequently nearly, the whole of the men are waiting for water to sluice with. The Government seem to take a long time in initiating their water scheme. It is now upwards of two months since they promised assistance to the New River Water-race Company, and also to the Hibernian Company, and nothing further has been done to carry their promise into effect. It is a pity they lose so much time, as it is of the utmost importance that something should be done to carry on these most useful works, so that they can be utilised at once. The shareholders in both these races are doing their utmost to hasten on their respective races, but the work is too heavy for so few men, and they require more hands, and now is the time for the Government to be of assistance, and if they only act energetically and spend the money they have promised by putting on more men, they will be conferring a boon on all parties, and make the races of A to the present generation, instead of allowing bo much time to elapse before anything is done. No Name has had an accession of population lately by four Celestials making their appearance. It is generally considered that the kind of work that is to be found there will not give encouragement to them to continue long. There are plenty of Europeans willing to work to get the little gold that is to be found, and who do some good to the district, but what benefit is to accrue from these Chinese is beyond tho comprehension of allparties here. The new Mining Bill that has been spoken of has given universal dissatisfaction. Too strong language cannot be used in condemnation of it. To levy pxtra taxation on water-races, claims, and business licenses is preposterous. Both miners and business people have only one opinion on the subject, that any attempt to impose further taxation on them will drive the majority of the mining population from the country. They express themselves very strongly on the subject, and it behoves the Government to give greater facilities to mining, rather than to put an extinguisher on the labors of the pioneers of such a country as the West Coast. Much credit is due to the member fpr this district in exposing the direct attempt that has been made in the new Bill to impose further taxation on the classes that are now too heavily burdened. He has now held several meetings through the district, and one and all feel grateful to him for the trouble he has taken in the matter. All are unanimous in resisting legally the attempts that were proposed in the late. Bill if the necessity Bhould ever arise again.