INCREASED WATER-SUPPLY.

Kumara Times, Issue 1359, 8 February 1881, Page 2

INCREASED WATER-SUPPLY.

PUBLIC MEETING AT DILLMAN’S TOWN. One of the most numerously-attended public meetings ever held in Dillman’s Town since the opening of this goldfield took place at Reynolds’ Empire Hotel last evening, the room being inconveniently crowded and the heat almost unbearable. Mr S. Agnew was voted to the chair, and, in opening the proceedings, said he congratulated them on the large attendance present, as it showed the great interest that was taken in the object for which the meeting was convened. As they had seen by advertisement in the Kumara Times, the meeting was called to urge on the Government the desirability and necessity there was for an increased water-supply on this goldfield. The water-supply at present was quite inadequate to meet the demand, and as several more claims would be opened up in a few months, if the water-supply was not increased, .the effect would be most disastrous to the mining community and district generally. For some time past they had thought of agitating in this matter, and as the whole prosperity of the district depended on an increased watersupply, he trusted they would all work together in obtaining, if possible, the object of the meeting. He looked on the interests of the miners and business portion of the community as hinged on •one another, and it was for the benefit of all that the pi’esent meeting was convened.' He would call on the mover of the first i-esolution—[Applause]. : Mr P. Dungan said that he had great pleasure in proposing the first resolution: “That this meeting would respectfully bring under the notice of the Minister fur Public Works the unanimous desire of the miners of this goldfield for an increased water-supply. That on the early completion of No. 2 section of sludge-channel, miners in large parties will be ready to take advantage of its usefulness, but will have no water to enable them to carry oat their work. And that the sludgechannel will be unproductive without an increased water-supply. That an additional 100 heads would be absorbed in the opening of fresh claims, and that this meeting do respectfully urge upon the Minister for Public Works the great necessity of bringing under the notice of the Government the making provision for so beneficial a work, thereby adding to the veprodcictiveness of the Kumara branch water-race on this goldfield.” It was a source of great gratification to him to see such a a large attendance on the occasion, and he hoped that they would all lend a helping hand in bringing to a successful issue the object for which they had met together. He thought on bis part it was somewhat necessary to briefly refer to a few points to show that the object of the meeting was not a visionary one in any sense of the word. Glancing at this goldfield, which had now been open nearly five years, they could but remember that during that time it had retained and supported a large population, produced yearly a splendid return of gold, and still held the character of being one of the largest goldfields in New Zealand, although the old method of working was passing away and giving way to a more extensive scale in ground-sluicing—[Hear, hear, and applause]. He thought the miners were fully justified in coming together that evening and arousing public spirit, as without it the district would soon be suffering from an unpleasant disease literally termed the “ dry-rot ” (Laughter). The Government watersupply was quite inadequate to the requirements of the goldfield, and the purpose of that meeting was to show the Government that an actual necessity existed for an immediate and increased supply. He believed the Government officers had already surveyed and laid out a pro-

posed new reservoir, and he had heard there Was a reserve fund in the hands of Government of .£BOOO for the purpose of its construction. [The speaker here referred to the construction and capabilities of the present Kapitea dam.] The Government might probably say they had not the means, but he would point out to the meeting the fact that from June* 1876, to the pre-. sent date the Government had re* oeived over £II,OOO for water supplied by their race. The receipts annually were £2500, and the branch race to Kumara only cost in the first instance £BOOO. If Government gave them a larger supply of water, the races would not only return interest on the outlay, but pay something towards the principal. He could mention six claims that were at present working whose average amount for water per claim was £9O per month, or over a £IOOO a year, for six heads of water. What would this be when sixteen or twenty claims, similarly situated, were in full swing 1 Would it not be more than reproductive to the Government 1 He considered that one sludge-channel was insufficient for this goldfield, as it would only command the line of claims on both sides of it. To carry out ground-sluicing on a large scale, which was necessary here, the Government must increase the water-supply; and his experience of miners was that they had vigor and intelligence enongb amongst them to agitate until they were suceesaful in obtaining what they required—[Applause]. Mr William Morris, in seconding the resolution, said that after the able and exhaustive speech of the previous speaker, there was but little for him to add in support of the resolution. If the business people of Kumara and Dillman’s Town would only back the miners up in the matter, he had little doubt but they would succeed in obtainining an additional water-supply, as he fit mly believed that had it not been for the business portion of the community, the sludge-channel would never have been constructed. He saw by the engineer’s report that if the new dam in the Kapitea valley was constructed, it would increase the present supply to 28 heads ; but the dam was not constructed yet-—that's what’s the matter [Laughter]. Everyone knew that the ground would not pay unless worked on a large scale,, with abundance of water, and it was useless for miners to say He had" great pleasure in seconding the resolution. ’ 1

The resolution was then put by the Chairman, and carried unanimously, with acclamation.

Mr Fergus Baruowman moved—, “ That with the object of carrying out the foregoing resolution, a permanent committee be appointed to make the proper representations to the Government, and to continue to act till such time as the neceasary works for an increased water-supply have been started.” He said that he knew from experience that in agitating for any matter required from the Government,, it was necessary to keep it constantly before them, otherwise they acknowledged the necessity of the work and you heard no more about it after. Let them keep knocking at the Government door until they obtained an increased Watersupply. The sludge-channel would be perfectly useless without water, and he considered it would be a most foolish and reprehensible act on the part of Government to construct a sludgechannel, and then provide no means of utilising it, so as to make it re-produc-tive. It was well known that at the present time there was not enough water on the field to keep the channel clear, much less work it—[Hearj hear]. The channel would be completed in a month or two, and miners would, under present circumstances, have to wait another twelve before they could work it, for want of water. He thought it was highly desirable a permanent committee should be appointed to deal with this question, and moved a resolution to that effect—[Hear, hear, and applause]. Mr W. Hanna said, in seconding the resolution, that he regretted to see so few townspeople amongst those present; but still he knew that the miners could rely on their support in this matter. He conside.'ed that the money already spent by the Government would be thrown away if they could not see their way clear to spend a little more. In his opinion about £IO,OOO would make the race the most productive in New Zealand. This goldfield at present was in its infancy in regard to sluicing, and from his large experience in sluicing, he thought 300 or even 500 heads of water would not be too much for this goldfield—[Laughter], Some years ago a scheme had been mooted to bring in the Wainihinihi, but it did not receive the support it deserved. If Government constructed the new dam in the

Kapitea Yalley at a cost of j£Btooo> what was the good ? as it bring in about 20 heads of Water* «mch would Only be sufficient to keepHhC-sludge-channel clear; and he, speaking from practical knowledge knew- that 50 heads at least Would be necessary to work the channel. lie seconded the resolution.

The CottNtV CfiAlßtfAN (R. j. Seddon, Esq., M.H.R.), in speaking to the resolution, said that probably they would think he was bashful in coming forward, but on seeing the advertisement convening the meeting) he knew it was his duty to be present as their representative. Some might think he ought to have taken the initiative in this matter, bnt, on consideration) he thought it would be far better if the matter came spontaneously from themselves. Probably in time, and he hoped so, the last speaker’s idea of 500 heada of water being required on this goldfield might be a correct one—[Hear* Hear]. He did not for one moment believe that in any other portion of the colony they had the same large extent of auriferous sluicing ground or the easy outlet for carrying it away. There was one thing in connection with

having 500 beads: the price of water would be materially reduced. He did nob consider it advisible for them to point out to the Government the course to adopt to provide the additional supply ; they could safely leatfe that in the hands of the department dealing , with the question. Mr Blake had informed him that the Arahura river could be easily directed into the. Kawhaka Creek and, if such .was the case, the whole district could be- abundantly supplied as far as water was concerned. He was glad the resolution for forming a permanent committee, bad been brought forward, as it was not always convenient to call the public together ; and where there was a .committee on the spot, a great deal of good was often effected. Let them put men on the committee who urgently wanted water themselves, and there was little doubt they would work earnestly ; in the • cause of others [Laughter]. The sludge-cbanhel would shortly be handed by the contractor, Mf and as yet' no tenders had been called for blocljibg it. This ; was; a matter he thought also requited y their opinion. [The speaker here referred ,to somfi # " " marks made by Mr Duugan relative to, the 'Kapitea lib conclusion, h«'blight sby that fhe matter wofilcf re:ceiye his hearty support l ; atidy if they: found that the Government did not place a certain- amount on the Estimates for an additional water-supply, then let them -petiti|Mi|afehe House of .referred to the Public Works Petitions Committee, and there was little doubt they would get justice;—[Applause]. The resolution was put and carried, vT E and the following were ejected' the per* ' maneqt Committee Messrs Dungan, Morris, White, AgbewfßarroWman, Wheeler, Hugh Flagberty, R. M‘Kenzie, Ambrose Cribben.

W. W. Morris proposed and’ Mr O’Brian seconded—“ That this meeting- 1 strongly and respectfully urge oil the Government the . urgent ;necos6ity 'of having the sludge-channel (now completed) blocked, so that it ban be utilized ' for the purpose for which it was con* structed.

The motion was carried unanimously.

A vote of thanks to the chair terminated the meeting, which throughout was of the most orderly character.