KUMARA SLUDGE-CHANNEL AND WATER INQUIRY.

Kumara Times, Issue 2326, 11 February 1884, Page 2

KUMARA SLUDGE-CHANNEL AND WATER INQUIRY.

INTERVIEW WITH THE WARDEN. With regard to the recent sludgechannel inquiry, we understand the County Chairman (P. Dungan, Esq.) had an interview with Warden Giles on Saturday last, at his office, Hokitika, for the object of learning if anything definite had been arrived at touching the same in the way of communicating with the Minister of Mines. Mr Dungan assured Warden Giles that a feeling of great anxiety was prevalent amongst the miners, and they were hopeful of getting an early answer from the Mines Department. Dr. Giles stated, in reply, that since the inquiry he had been ready to act in regard to forwarding the necessary report to Wellington; but, unfortunately, Mr Gordon was away from Hokitika, detained in attending to (heir business, so that nothing had been done up to that time, and he regretted the delay. Mr Dungan said he could well believe that Dr. Giles was ready in short notice to deal with so important and urgent a matter; but he could not help remarking that Mr Gordon seemed to treat very lightly the miners’ interests. Some hundreds of men were deeply concerned in the settlement of the question at issue ; in fact, it was of great import to them, and to others whose well-being were bound up in the prosperity of the goldfield ; it looked bad, being almost three weeks since the inquiry took place. Dr. Giles again regretted the groat delay ; he said he had telegraphed to Mr Gordon and was informed, in reply, that, he would he in Hokitika this (Monday) morning, 11th instant, so that in a tow days every-

thing would be considered and finally dealt with for transmission to the Minister of Mines, Wellington, Mr Dungan thanked Dr. Giles for the information he had given him, and expressed a hope that there would be no further delay.