INCREASED WATER-SUPPLY.

Kumara Times, Issue 1371, 22 February 1881, Page 2

INCREASED WATER-SUPPLY.

PUBLIC MEETING AT THE TOWN HALL. ♦ Id accordance with announcement through our columns, a public meeting was held at the Town Hall last evening, for purpose of considering the question of an increased water-supply for this goldfield. There was a large attendance of the business people of the town, the mining interest also being strongly represented. His Worship the Mayor took the chair, and, in opening the proceedings, said that he had convened the meeting at the request of a large number of the ratepayers with an object in which one and all were interested—an increased water-supply on this goldfield. A certain line of action had been taken at a recent meeting on the same subject, held at Dillman's Town, and they met there that evening to give their hearty support to the opinions expressed and resolution's Carried at that meeting. They must hold togethor as one community : it was not because the borough boundary-line divided as it were the town from the goldfield that there was any difference in their interests, as the mining and mercantile Community were as one. He considered that no one in the district should hold aloof from the movement to obtain an additional water-supply. There could be no question of greater importance to the people at large, and he trusted some energy would be shown in endeavoring to obtain the desired result. It was for them to urge on the Government the great necessity that existed for an increased supply of water on the field, and the more speedily it was brought in the better, as it could not possibly be available too soon. He would call on the mover of the first resolution. Mr J. Pearn said he had great pleasure in moving the first resolution, as he believed they all would agree with the importance of the suViject they had met to discuss. Unless a larger supply of water was brought on the field, there were a large number of miners who had gone to the expense of opening claims who would eventually be unable to work them without an additional supply. He should move " That this meeting cordially agrees with the action taken at a former meeting held at Dillman's Town re increased watersupply for this goldfield, and would respectfully urge on the Government the immediate necessity of proceeding with the necessary works for that purpose, without delay." If the meeting could do anything to further this most desirable object, they would not have met there in vain that evening. ' He should not speak at length, as he considered i

the question had been thoroughly well ventilated at the late public meeting at Dill man's Town. Mr W. S. Hanna, in seconding the resolution; said that he had large experience in sliiidingj as many of them there knew full well. He could tell then! that from Sandy's Hill to the foot of the Zig-zag it Was nothing else but alluvial ground that would all pay for washing, had they the water at command; He spoke not as a townsman on the occasion', as,he.had resumed his mining pursuits; He felt confident that their energetic niember in the House of Representatives would bring the questidn prominently forward in their interests. He Had previously stated that he considered 506 heads of water would not be too much for this goldfield; and he still had the same opinion, as every drop of water was now utilized, and where a couple of heads did now, ten would eventually be required. He had great pleasure in seconding the resolution. The resolution was then put and carried unanimously. ; Mr A. C. Campbell proposed "That, for the purpose of giving effect to the foregoing resolution, a committee be fdrmed to co-operate with the committee already formed in Dillman's Town ; the committee to be His Worship the Mayor, Messrs E. Blake, j. S. Pearn, J. Druniroond, D. Williams, S. S. Pollock, J. Davidson, W. Killeen, J. Home, J. Wylde; add the mover." He said that there was. but little left for him to speak of on the occasion, as he thought the subject had been -well discussed in all its bearings at ihe late meeting, and it simply reriiaiiied. with the townspeople to co-operate witH the mining community to effect so desirable an object. The life of the district depended on effect being given to the resolution, that an additional watersupply was required. He felt certain that these meetings would be productive of good, as the Government could but be aware through the interest taken in the matter, that it was urgently required. In the words of a great man " The thunders of heaven were heard to roll in the voice of a united people;" and he (the speaker) should strongly advise them to act together, and let their voices in a. similar manner be heard by the Government. Mr £. Horne briefly seconded the resolution, with the remark that the sooner the wafcev was in, the better for all hands. The resolution was-, on being put by the Chairman, carried unanimously. A vote of thanks to his Worship the Mayor for presiding was 'atfcorded on the motion of Mr and the meeting terminated. Subsequently the committee appointed and a number of the Dillmans Town committee who were elected for a similar purpose at the meetiug held there, met together in the Town Hall and made arrangements for future proceedings.