THE WAIMEA-KUMARA WATERRACE.

Kumara Times, Issue 2007, 3 February 1883, Page 2

THE WAIMEA-KUMARA WATERRACE.

INTERVIEW OF MINERS WITH THE MANAGER. As we stated last evening, a number of miners waited on Mr Gow, the manager of the Wairaea-Kumara waterrace and sludge-channel yesterday morning with the object of ascertaining if some more equitable arrangement could not be made whereby all parties holding sluicing claims, and desiring to use Government water so as to sluice through the sludge-channel might be able to obtain a fair share of the water now available. Some twelve parties, it seems, consider that because they have the priority of right to run their tailings into the sludge-channel, they have necessarily the priority of being first supplied with Government water. Mr G. Kermode and Mr G. Watson were appointed as spokesmen ; and the deputation consisted of sixteen miners, representing as many claims. Mr Kermode briefly stated that the object of the deputation was to ascertain if some better arrangements could be made to supply the majority of the miners with water. At the request of Mr Gow, the names of the parties whose claims were represented at the meeting were taken down. He said he Wes going to telegraph to Wellington, and he would like to know if those who were present fully endorsed his late action with regard to the sludge-channel. He would like something to go upon, and suggested that their expressed sentiments on this matter should take the form of a resolution. Mr Kermode then proposed— That in the opinion of this meeting the management of the sludge-channel has been carried out by Mr Gow to the satisfaction of the miners represented by those present. Mr Corrigan seconded the resolution, which on being put to the meeting was carried unanimously. Mr Kermode said that with regard to the question of water, the deputation were of opinion that although certain parties had priority of right to use the sludge-channel, there was no such provision existing with regard to priority of right to Government water. He believed the majority of those present would be content with water for three da} r s a week if by so doing all parties could have water.

Mr Gow would tell them how they managed at Waimea ; it was a guide which had been long in existence. There were more people than there was water for. He used to tell those who applied last that they would have to stand out when water was short; but he would occasionally send them to those who had first water to say to

them, We want your water for a few days, Mr Gow says we can have it; and the plan worked well. Mr Watson said that those who had prior right to the sludge-channel maintained they had also a prior right to the water. Mr Gow : They have no legal light to it. Mr Watson : If it was to be as it had been the last day or two, it was not fair to the other miners to be deprived of water during the widening of the head-race. Mr Gow replied that if there were any collapse, he would get all the blame ; it would be unwise on his part to endanger the head-race. Unfortunately it came on to rain on Saturday which rendered progress of the work impossible. Now he had a right to deal out the greatest good to the greatest number; he was anxious to give all a turn. After a time, two or three months, when the tunnel is through, we shall be able to keep all going. He had to fall back on old arrangements, and he was doing what he thought was for the best. Mr Watson : We should have been perfectly satisfied with three half-days a week until such time the tunnel is widened. Mr Gow said he was simply here to carry out the wishes of the people, consistent with the interests of Government. When the race was large enough, he was prepared to accommodate three shifts. Mr Watson: The miners present were agreeable to three hour shifts during the winter months, and four hours during the summer months. Mr Gow : Then you would have to get the consent of those parties who had the priority of right to the sludgechannel. He could not go against their right. Any alteration would have to come from the men themselves. Mr A. Miller: Have any parties an agreement in writing for water? Mr Gow: No. Mr Watson : It is not a question the capacity of the sludge-channel; it, is of water to the field. ' Mr Gow; Parties have already threatened proceedings in Court. Perhaps it would be better, if the question were decided in Court. There are so many here that have a voice in the matter; he was continually hampered not only by miners but business people; and it would be as well for the Wardeq to decide. Mr Watson would point out that many parties here present had been using the water from the Government for years—before the construction of the sludge-channel; they had only stopped using the water to alter the mode of working their claim; and those who had priority of right in using! the sludge-channel, although they' stepped in months or years after those who bad thus been using the water before them now to be entitled to it first ? There were men who had obtained two months’ free water from the Government, and were now using it, who had never previously contributed anything for Government water, whilst some men who had been using it from the first were now excluded.— [Hear, hear.] Mr Gow said he might enlighten them as to what he had always done at Waimea when water was scarce ; they took only a head and a-half. He hadj here often only 15 to 20 heads to givei out. If he gave a legal right to anyone, j other parties might be down on him. *

Mr Watson desired to know when this question was going to be settled with which Mr Gow had been threatened ?

Mr Gow : This day week he supposed. In the meantime it might be settled by the Mines Department. Let them wait and see the result. He might mention that he had to establish a rule at Waimea that if any party knocked off taking water for a month, that party would lose their right altogether ; he made it a rule that if they discontinued working, their right would be gone.

Mr Watson; There were a number of claimholders who applied fora tailracewho got in ahead of those that applied before them ; strangers were taken into a party, and these men got precedence to those who had been working on the field for years. Mr Gow could not help that; one man might take up six men’s ground, and be continually changing his men. It was the certificate or title to the claim he had to recognise. Mr Corrigan : People would be satisfied if Mr Gow had full charge of the water to do as he thought proper—that is the substance of what we are here for.—[Hear hear.l Mr Gow pointed out that if parties were allowed to sluice such large stones as some were now doing down their races and through the sludge-channel the time must come when the tailings, site must bo destroyed. He would thou

get all the blame, and would be chided with allowing it. The matter worried him a lot. It would then be too late to ask the Government to step in and make another channel. He could not stand by and see the river filled up—a wreck of Government folly and mismanagement, as it would be called. Mr Kermode wished to know what relief could be afforded at the present time.

Mr Gow said he was waiting for instructions from Government. Before parting he would like to ask the miners if his late action in barring large stones was approved of.

Mr Corrigan believed the majority of the miners were of opinion that he was fully justified in the course he had pursued.— [Hear, hear.] Mr Stenhouse then moved— That it is the opinion of this meeting that the manager of the WaimeaKumara water-race should have complete control in disposing of the water of the said race, doing as he may consider the greatest good to the greatest number. Mr Wood seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously. A vote of thanks was then accorded to Mr Gow for his kindness and attention in hearing the deputation. To which Mr Gow responded, by stating that he always willing to hear the views of the miners, and he was proud to think so many of them had endorsed his actions. He was always willing to listen to fair advice and good counsel, and he was pleased if they had any grievance when they came down to him to state it plainly. His was a very unthankful position, as they were aware. There were so many to represent, that at times he felt ruffled. He knew it was impossible to please all, but he strove for the greatest good to the greatest number.—[Hear, hear.] The deputation then withdrew. above be-taken a& a correct statement (for which we do not vouch) as to the manner in which parties are divided on the question of water supply to the claims, although the number of claims represented be equal, the balance of opinion seems slightly in favour of the former.