The Kumara Times. Published Every Evening. THURSDAY, MARCH, 23, 1882.

Kumara Times, Issue 1710, 23 March 1882, Page 2

The Kumara Times. Published Every Evening. THURSDAY, MARCH, 23, 1882.

The question of payment for water in advance still remains unsettled, and the majority of the miners are passing their time away by the removal of large stones from their claims. It is unfortunate that the Hon. Mr Rolleston, Minister of Mines, happens to be in one of the northern country districts where there is no communication by telegraph. Mr Dungah, Comity Chairman, has been assiduously -endeavoring to bring matters to an issue. On Tuesday he forwarded the followin'' * o letter to the member for Hokitika: To G. G. Fitz Gerald, Esq., Wanganui. I posted letters and papers to-day giving full particulars of the dispute between the miners and the Government re water supply, which Government want paid for in advance. The mining community desire me to ask you to go to Wellington to get them relief. ° Mr Seddou will bring petition on the subject and your assistance would be invaluable. Please telegraph whether you can make it convenient td accompany Mr Seddon, the County Council defraying your expenses. Un receipt of your reply, date of interview and full particulars' will be forwarded to yon by Peter Dunoan, County Chairman. Hokitika* March 21, 1882. Mr Fitz Gerald replied yesterday as follows : To P. DtrxoAM, Esq., County Chairman, Kumara, Will use every possible exertion, but before starting for Wellington I will just ascertain when the Minister will be there. G. G. Fitz Gerald. Wanganui, March 22, 1882. Exception has been taken to some remarks made in this journal on Tuesday, viz., that certain miners after he ing told that they could not have the customary supply of water from Go vernment without payment in advance, “sixteen in one claim laid down their tools either than be parties to break faith with their fellowmen.” We are told that M the men did not lay down their

tools, but were at work all day.” Well, of course, if the men cannot be allowed to si nice, and in consequence lay down tlie hose for want of Water and do not use the drag or rake, they must find something else to do in or ab>.ut their cla m or forfeit their right to such claim : no miner requires to be told 'his. The contradiction is merely an attempt at prevarication. The men had to cease sluicing because they refused to comply with the Government race manager’s demands—from profitable to unprofitable employment. The real facts of the case are these. Early in 1881 the Long Tunnel Tail-race Company applied to the Minister of Mines for certain privileges to open out a sluicing claim on a very extended scale; and on the 9th of February, 1881, the manager of the Kumara water-race was advised what concessions the Government would make, and on the 22nd of the same mouth he informed the said company that they would “ be supplied with ten Government heads of water for three months (to open out the claim) free of charge.” The men say they have not had this water ; that, in consequence of the bursting of the dam they have not had this allowance; five heads, and that only lately, being the most they have used at any one tinie. The manager now claims payment for this water, to which the company demur and appeal to the head of the Mines Department, referring him to their original concession. Last evening Mr Jones, one of the shareholders, waited upon Mr GovV, the race manager, who drew out an agreement such as he he would accept from the company. The following is a copy ; To the Manager of the Kumara Water Race. For and on behalf of the shareholders of the Long Tunnel Company,- Kumara, and haying authority to promise on their behalf, I do promise to pay on the 31st day of this month all moneys now due and which may become due from this date to the 31st day of the present montlq provided the usual supply, viz., five heads, be allowed to flow as usual to our wheel and pipes for the balance of this present month at the current rates ; and that we receive the same quantity from day to day, as usual, during the month of April next free of charge. I, J. Gow, as manager of Kumara race do hereby agree to accept the above terms and conditions as to payment of moneys due at the end of present month, and promise to supply the usual quantity from day to day as heretofore to end of March, and to supply the same quantity during the month of April free of charge. The following is the Secretary’s reply : Memorandum for Mr Gow. The Long Tunnel Company are unable to agree to the terms proposed in Mr Gqw’a memorandum, until they have received a reply to a letter forwarded by them on the 25th ult. to the Minister of Mines. The Company trust that Mr Gow will not throw all the men idle by stopping the water until the Minister of Mines has dealt with the letter sent to him. For the Long Tunnel Company. James Miller, Secretary. Kumara, March 22, -1882. Notwithstanding Mr Gow’s attention having been thus drawn to the fact of the Company being in communication with the head of the Department, he has persisted in stopping the supply of water, and the party have been driven to look out for other means of obtaining this necessary element. We are glad to learn that (hey have been successful, and that this morning they commenced to bring in a supply of water for breaking down with, and they will thus render themselves independent of the Government, and will probably be able to supply other parties with water. They have alteady received several applications from parties, who, after theii present experience, would prefer to deal with private companies instead of with the Government.