THE MINISTERIAL VISIT.

Kumara Times, Issue 2640, 21 February 1885, Page 3

THE MINISTERIAL VISIT.

DEPUTATIONS FROM THE MINERS,

Most important among the various petitions or memorials presented to Ministers —the Hon. R. Stout, Premier, and the Hon. W. J. M. Larnach, Minister of Mines—on Monday afternoon last, in reference to the price of water on this goldfield and other matters, was that emanating from the meeting of miners representing claims ■working into the Government sludgechannel, held at the Templar’s Hall, Hillman’s, during last week. Mr Thomas Dennett was appointed honorary secretary, and with him Messrs J. Metcalfe, F. Barrdwman, W. Morris, J. Corrigan, and J. Wooldridge were at said meeting unanimously deputed to interview Ministers, and support the prayer of the petition. The portion of the petition having reference to the Price of Water was heard and argued in conjunction with the memorials from the Reception Committee (including the Borough Council) and that of the merchants and tradesmen of Kumara and Hillman’s Town and that portion having reference to increased Channel Accommodation was heard in conjunction with the application of a deputation of the Sludge-Channel Relief Committee to construct a new tailrace to relieve the sludge-channel, R. J. Seddon, Esq., M.H.R., introduced the various deputations. The following is the petition of miners before referred to :

To the Hon. Robert Stout, Premier of New Zealand, and the Hon. W. J, M. Larnach, C.M.G., Minister of Mines. Gentlemen —We would most respectfully bring under your notice the following facts with regard to the requirements of this goldfield : THE PRICE OF WATER. We. would most respectfully urge upon you the great necessity of reducing the price charged for water used for sluicing purposes on this field, as, owing to the many difficulties we have to encounter and the heavy nature of the ground, we are subject to many other expenses other than water charges. That in consequence of the gauge being reduced, the price of water has ben raised one-sixth since we first contracted for its use.

We do not see any reason why the Xumara miners should pay £3 per head per week for water whilst other districts, Waimea and Nelson Creek, for instance, pay a greatly reduced rate, especially as the Kumara portion of the Waimea Race has paid a large per centage on the capital invested, whilst the races alluded to have not paid more than per cent.

We would also respectfully remind you that during the past seven or eight years the sum of nearly .£40,000 has been received by Government in revenue from this goldfield. Within the last year or two, several claims have been abandoned, the yield of gold not being sufficient to meet the charges for water and other expenses combined. The owners of these claims, after having spent all their capital and several years’ labour, have left the district penniless and in debt. We beg to inform you, that Mr Holmes has lowered the price of his water nearly one-third since the New Year.

In view of these facts, we think we are justly entitled to a reduction in the present exorbitant price of water. [Here followed an extract from the Report of Mr Warden Giles and Mr Gordon, Commissioners appointed to inquire as to the high charge for water for mining purposes on Kumara goldfield, and dated 18th February, 1884.—1 t appeared in a revised form in the Kumara Times of March 31, 1884.] CHANNEL ACCOMMODATION. We most respectfully bring under your notice the paramount necessity of providing more accommodation for parties using the (Government sludgechannel. The capacity of the channel is not sufficient for the number of tailraces, 30, that open into it. In summer we get but four or five shifts of three hours every week ; in winter it will be reduced to three shifts per day ; so that each party will only get from 9 to 12 hours water per week. The miners and business people combined have h-:(l a tajl-mco surveyed of 2Gooft, in length, to teirve the present

channel of 10 or 12 patties. Tenders have been called for the whole work, and are now awaiting your consideration and approval, before being accepted.

We also respectfully point out that the relief channel would be the means of conserving the present tailings-site at mouth of sludge-channel, and that the relief channel commands a large flat for tailings that will last a number of years before reaching the river, and will allow of a larger aiea of auriferous ground to be worked that could not be worked otherwise.

We also respectfully request that the permits for use of channel should be issued for not less than one year, as it deteriorates the value of our claims, being issued for a shorter period, Thomas Dennett, Hon, Sec. Hillman’s Committee, Hillman’s Town, February 14th, 1885.

In reply to the petitions and to the arguments advanced, the Minister of Mines stated these were matters they could not give an answer to at once; it would be necessary to wait till their return to Wellington, Mr Dungan urged that this course would imply delay. Now that Ministers had a strong case made out by the miners for a reduction in the price of water, he would again respectfully urge the necessity of dealing with the question without delay. Ministers had on that day seen the importance and extent of the Kumara goldfield and the work done by the miners to make it what it is. The grievance regarding water was a long standing one; the agitation was so strong on the subject some time ago that a Commission of Inquiry was appointed to report on the matter. Dr. Giles, the Warden of the district (an impartial and good authority), with Mr Gordon, Inspector of Goldfields, acted in that capacity ; and both gentlemen recommended a reduction in the price of water, as a matter of justice to the miners, and as a help to securing the future prosperity of the goldfield. But Mr Eolleston gave a deaf ear to all appeals; the previous Government would do nothing. Petitions were also presented to Parliament, and a recommendation made by the Goldfields Committee of the House, that a reduction of the price of water be made on this goldfield; yet no concession had as yet been made. The alteration of the gauge had also been bitterly commented upon—a redaction in the quantity of water previously given; yet compelling miners to pay the same price. That was a great wrong done the miners. It was also an injustice in having to pay so high a price for Government water on Kumara when in other parts of the district it was sold for nearly half the price. He could not avoid remarking that there was something about the whole thing hard to bear with. Miners had looked forward with hope to this visit of the Premier and Minister of Mines, that relief would be granted, hoping against hope that a reduction in the price would at last be made. Messrs D, Hannan, W. Morris, 0. Harris, F. Barrow man, J. White, T. Dennett, J. Wooldridge, and others advocated the prayer of the petition. The Premier always thought the local bodies would have preferred the management.

Mr Hannan pointed out the difficulties, and pleaded that the construction and maintenance of water-races formed part of Sir Julius Yogel’s Public Works policy. The Minister of Mines said that he would give the price of water question his earnest consideration. With regard to other matters he thanked them for their explanations, and said he would see what could be done; the Government were disposed to assist, but they could not yet come to a definite decision.