The Kumara Times. Published Every Evening. FRIDAY, JUNE 20, 1879.

Kumara Times, Issue 849, 20 June 1879, Page 2

The Kumara Times. Published Every Evening. FRIDAY, JUNE 20, 1879.

The object for which the Public meeting is convened this evening is of so important a nature as to warrant us again recurring to the subject. In April of last year a largely-atteuded meeting of miners was held in Dillsman’s Town to take into consideration the desirability or otherwise of requesting the Government to construct a sludge-channel on this goldfield. After the whole question had been discussed pro and con by practical men who thoroughly understood the subject in all its bearings, resolutions were passed to the effect that it was highly desirable the Government should undertake the construction of the flood-channel at once, and that the route as shown on a plan prepared by Mr Gow should be adopted. When, however, the question of what the miners considered would be a fair price for the use of the said channel came under discussion there was far from a unanimous opinion as to what rate the Gove, nmentshould charge. A few thought that the price could be'best reckoned by charging per man according to the number of men in the party, but it was ultimately shown that one party might use a great deal less water than another, and con-equently would use the channel less. A number thought chat five shillings per week per head of water usedj would be sufficient, as from the nature of the gold in the district a great deal of it would find its way into the main channel, and thus become the property of the Government. Some experienced ground slide, rs »av« it as their opinion that the gold itself would be sufficient to recoup the Government for their outlay. There was a strong advocacy in favor of ten shillings per head per week by a few as a greater inducement for the Government to start : but as a medium course the hum of seven shillings and sixpence was eventually agreed to. These resolutions were forwarded to the Government and the matter has since remained almost in statu quo until yesterday, when, in reply to representations made to the Government relative to , the sludge channel we are inhumed -in d'ect that the work would in all pto-

baliility have been commenced had the sum of ten shillings per week per man been adopted*

The meeting this evening is called to consider the grounds of objection raised by the Government, and, if possible, to adopt a resolution in conformity with the views as expressed by them in the telegram of the 18th inst. Looking at the construction of this channel from every point of view, we can but think that the rate of charge suggested by the Government is reasonable. There is one item—and which on a previous occasion no cognizance was taken of—the cost of keeping the channel, when constructed, in repair, and which we are informed on the most reliable authority would cost between £SOO and £6OO per annum, must be also taken into consideration in dealing with this question. With the probable change of Ministry that is now looming in the distance, the whole matter may be indefinitely shelved if not at once actively and energetically taken in hand ; and we trust to-night’s meeting will be nninamous in requesting the immediate construction of the channel, in accordance with the proposition of the Government.