POOR CLAIMS AND THE PRICE OF WATER.

Kumara Times, Issue 2586, 18 December 1884, Page 3

POOR CLAIMS AND THE PRICE OF WATER.

[to the editor.] Sir —ln Mr Gow’s letter in the Kumara Times of the sth inst., under the heading of “ The price of water/ I find he says; “ Although there are very many claims on this field well able to pay the present rate for water, there are a few others so poor that after paying working expenses and reducing old liabilities, have a very small margin left to divide.” Again, he says, referring to “ Some very doubtful claims requiring aid from the race to enable them to be thoroughly tested,” “I will act as instructed by assisting all urgent cases.” “ This, he thinks, should meet ihe case at present, instead of reducing the price of water where parties are doing well enough to pay the present charge.” Further on he says: “I think I should state the great noise made here lately is caused by a few only.” In another portion of his letter, speaking of the reduction in the sludgechannel as a “ popular move,” he says, “It was necessary to draw up petitions and make a noise at public meetings.” “It also enabled one or two persons to take the lead and air their eloquence, and show they were always I’oady and willing to fight the miners’ battles.” How do the miners of this district plead to the above indictment ? It has gone forth on the word of Mr Gow that the claims unable to pay the present price for water are few. —Yours truly, One Who Would Like to Know. December 8, 1884.