INCREASED WATER-SUPPLY TO THE KUMARA GOLDFIELD.

Kumara Times, Issue 1480, 25 June 1881, Page 2

INCREASED WATER-SUPPLY TO THE KUMARA GOLDFIELD.

+ A meeting of the Water-supply Committee was held at Dillman’s Town on Tuesday evening, the 21st instant, the following members being present— Messrs Agnew, Dnngan (in the chair), M. Banowman, Wheeler, Leslie, Kettle, Reynolds, F. Barvowman, and Morris (Secretary). The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. The Chairman, on behalf of the subcommittee, submitted a draft of petition to Parliament for the consideration of the meeting. The petition was adopted by the committee. The following is a copy. Petition to the Legislature of New Zealand, in Parliament Assembled. The Petition of the undersigned miners, business-people and others of Kumara Goldfield, humbly sheweth : That as Kumara holds the premier position among the West Coast Goldfields and is one of the most important among the goldfields of the colony, we are of opinion that its further development is greatly retarded through the want of a sufficient supply of water. In support of this statement we beg to submit to the consideration of your honorable House the following facts ; 1. That the Kumara Goldfield since its discovery lias given employment to a large mining population. 2. That the system of mining by shafts and tunnels, as heretofore adopted, must give way to the more extensive method of ground-sluicing. 3. That the General Government has been to great expense in constructing a main sludge-channel for the more effectual working of the field. The completion of this work will take place at an early date, and many parties of miners are ready to open their claims, whilst others are actively preparing to use the channel when they can obtain a sufficient supply of water. _ 4. That to specially mark the indispensible want of an increased water-supply, the accompanying sketch map will show the line of sludge-channel through the centre of the goldfield. There are 02 registered rights, made up of double areas and extended claims, twenty-five of which hold ground adjacent to the channel, and

would absorb, at the lowest calculation) 100 heads of water, 5. That the Government dam at the Kapitea Greek, when in full repair, is estimated to supply only 30 heads of water—a quantity totally inadequate to Work the sludge-channel. 6. That ibis dam can only supply six ground-sluicing claims in addition to the ordinary quantity used for box-sluicing purposes. The rental paid by these six ground-sluicing claims amounts to £IBO per month, or above £2OOO a year. 7. That the aggregate receipts for water from the Kumara Branch-race for the last live years that it has been in use, amounts to the large sura of £12,000. 8. That the prevailing opinion held by miners on the goldfield is that the amount of water conserved at any time by the Government dam at Kapitea Creek is insufficient for the proper working of the sludge-channel. The utility of this costly public work, besides the future prosperity of this district, solely depends upon your honorable House taking immediate measures for providing an ample watersupply. By granting this boon, your petitioners will ever pray. Messrs Dungan and Morris were appointed to canvass the district for signatures. The meeting then adjourned until the 30th June.