THE MINISTERS' VISIT AND THE PRICE OF WATER.

Kumara Times, Issue 2626, 5 February 1885, Page 3

THE MINISTERS' VISIT AND THE PRICE OF WATER.

[to the editor.]

Sir Now that the Minister of Mines is. going to pay us a visit, it is high time that the miners and business men that are interested in the coming-in of the relief sludge-channel bestirred themselves in order that they may be prepared to show the stern necessity there is for this most important work being constructed. As the winter is fast approaching and there is not accommodation in the present channel ■we will have to go half time idle again. At present, with four shifts on, we cannot get an average of five shifts a week, of three hours per shift ; and as in a short time it will be reduced to three shifts per day, it is quite plain that each party will get from nine to twelve hours water per week alternately. It ia easy seeing the earning that is ahead of us. There are thirty claims sluicing into the present channel, with six claims on a shift; so at present 24 claims are at work daily. In •winter 18 claims daily with four shifts, six claims are idle; with three shifts, 12 claims are idle; so what wonder the miners are in debt, with payable claims and willing to work 1 They are in forced idleness in summer from oue to two days per week ; in winter from two to three days per week. This means many thousands of pounds per annum.

We are told that that the manager is going to improve matters by knocking off some six partes that are in debt. Now, sir, if this course should be recommended, it is harsh in the extreme to ruin 18 men that have been lured to their ruin after two years' work, with payable ground, to be told that the present Government has ordered all that are in debt are to be stopped work, as there is no room for them in the channel. Now, sir, the new channel will leave no necessity for such harsh measures, if there is any truth in it. Now let us see th'j difference be-

tween those that have private tail-races of their own own. They get water whenever they want it, and as many heads as they like; and if water is scarce they get water when we that are in the channel are idle. There are some 44 claims on the field ; 30 of thetn are in the channel, so it is easy to see that the principal support of the Kumara comes from the channel. How many of these private parties are using Government water ? There are some eight or nine, and yet I fiud they had a hole-and-corner meeting for the purpose of carrying out a secret programme of their own, instead of all joining hand in hand to show what was wanted for the general welfare of the place. But there has always been a narrow-minded minority here that tried to rule, but always got a back seat. Let those miners and business men that are for the general good of the place come together and show the Minister of Mines what is wanted. First, the new channel, of greatest uecessity; second, a redaction in the price of water; and if this is done in a sensible manner and a respectable manner it will draw the attention of the gentlemeu you are addressing, and the minority can air their grievance in their own petty form ; and if the new channel is got in, it means many years of prosperity for Kumara ; and if not, you will have the old style of poverty and debt. So stand to your guns, lads ! and victory is ours. A Miner.

Larrikins, Feb. 3, 1885,