THE WATER QUESTION" AGAIN.

Kumara Times, Issue 1775, 9 June 1882, Page 2

THE WATER QUESTION" AGAIN.

MEETING OF THE MINERS’ COMMITTEE AT DILLMAN’S. A meeting of the Kumara Mining Comm.fee was h Id on Tuesday evening last, at Peters’ Hotel, DiUinaiTs Town. There were present 20 members and also P. Dungan, Esq., the County Chairman. The Secretary stated that he had called them together hy the request of several of the Committee, to take into consideration the action of Mr Gow, the race manager, in limiting the free water to one month. On the motion of Mr G. Watson, the Secretary was instructed to telegraph to Mr Seddon the amount of free water used by the four parties first using the sludge-channel up to the Ist of May, ;*nd that the manager had given them notice that they would be charged for water from the Ist of May ; also that other pirtiea opening out would have but one immtlt’s free water, and that Mr Seddon be asked to try to limit the

manager’s discretionary power to free water in excess of two months. The following reply was received last evening :—. To Mr A. Creber, Hon. Secretary Miners Committee, Kumara. Excuse delay, but matter only just settled by Minister. Instructions have been given and forwarded to inquire into the matter with the view of fixing a definite basis. Mr Qow will be asked to furmsh a return showing the average amount of free water given to each claim for opening out previous to the payment-in-ad-vance dispute. Whatever the previous average was then that is to be the basis. The free use of sludge-channel will -be for one month. Any pledge given by Mr Gow to the four first parties to be kept, and they are to be placed on an equal footing with other parties, lam doing my best to see fair play. Mr Gow is not to blame this time. Mr Fitz Gerald is helping me all he can. R. J. Seddox. Wellington, Bth June, 1882. A deputation was appointed to wait upon the Warden on Wednesday morning on the matter, and to ask his assistance. Mr Mansfield was appointed to wait on Mr Gow to ascertain what was meant by one month’s hee water, and whether half a day counted as a day. The Bank of New Zealand was appointed bankers fur the Committee, the Secretary and Treasurer for the time being to sign cheques. The meeting then adjourned till Friday evening next, at 8 o’clock.