THE OKUKU WATER-RACE AND THE MINERS.

Kumara Times, Issue 445, 28 February 1878, Page 2

THE OKUKU WATER-RACE AND THE MINERS.

[to the editor.] Sir —May I ask your indulgence for the insertion of a few lines relative to a subject of some public importance, and which without doubt concerns the public of this district at the same time. On reading through your issue of Tuesday evening I observed an address as coming from our miners of this goldfield, being one of welcome to Sir George Grey, which I was glad to see,. and as one pointing out the special requirements of the goldfield. Now, in the latter category, I shall single out: the strong recommendation to the Government for the purchase of the Okuku Company’s race,- and one specific ground advanced was that the miners would secure as a beneficial result that of getting water at reduced prices. Now, I should like to question the accuracy of the above logic, and if the fertile brain from which it i was an emanation do carry with it the impress of truth—if a purchase were I effected, where would be the substan- j tial advantages as remaining to our mining community I In one word 11 would ask, Would it come from the hands of those who claimed and pos

sessed the right of supplying our goldfield with water? Is it not an invariable rule that when an exercise of obnoxious power of this kind exists, that people in general are not the gainers ? The contrary remains as emphatic evidence to maintain so stubborn a fact; aye, and well known »as a sequel of worldly experience, have we not ample proof of the force of what I lay down, in the healthy competition that we know of for supplying water to Kumara goldfield? Will not the miners bear out the truth of what I assert, from their intimate knowledge of gold work- • • v n o mgs in the colonies? I know it well, Shorn long years of experience; and can it be possible that our miners give adhesion to a scheme so recommended ? Is it with their general compliance that their names can be so used that hereafter an apparent approval may in a m >st insinuating manner help to bring about a state of things that should stare them in the face like the noonday sun, and that dearly would have to be paid for ? lam slow to believe it from the murmurs of dissatisfaction I have listened to quite recently. I am writing of men that rushed to our young goldfield ; who, with that courage, energy, and industry that mark their career, and that have worked wonders in their way • whose patient toil and perseverance amidst trying difficulties and privations, have opened this goldfield; and now, when it stands a reality, can it be said that through any action of theirs, there looks threatening in the distance increased taxation upon their labours, as a, reward for all that has been done on their part? I would say to them, reflect! and look deeper to what vitally affects your interests. And on the other hand, as one of the general public, I do not see what good will come from an outlay of some thousands of public money in the purchase of the race spoken of. And further, I deny, from the stern logic of fjicts, that its transmission from private hands to that of the Government can make it a benefit to the mining community.—lam, <fec., Observer. Kumara, February 28th, 1878.