GOLDFIELDS TRACKS AND WATER-RACES.

Kumara Times, Issue 2933, 24 March 1886, Page 2

GOLDFIELDS TRACKS AND WATER-RACES.

A special meeting of (lie Westland Couuty Council was held in the Couuty Chambers, Hokitika, at noon on Monday, to consider the Schedule of Goldfields Tracks for 1886-87. There were present—Councillors Grimmond (in the chair), M'Goldtick, Daly, Spence, Jack, Dungan, M'Whirter, and Seddon. The Times reports as follows : GOLDFIELDS TRACKS AND ROADS. The following schedule was read, and, after discussion, agreed to : 1. Mahinapua Lake Track from south creek landing to sea beach. Length one mile 65 chains ; cost .£504 ss. 2. Loopline road to Christchurch road via Holmes' upper dam ; length about two miles ; cost £SOO. 3. Milltown to Arahura river, opposite junction Wainihinihi creek; length about three miles ; cost .2700. 4. Rohs road to Hokitika river from a point about a mile and a half south of Osilvie's; length about four milescost £IOOO. 5. Wainihinihi, Christchnrch road, to junction of Wainihinihi and Arahura river; length 5 miles and 26 chains ; cost £I3OO. 6. Right hand branch Kanieri river to swamp near Humphrey's Gully water-race; length about three miles ; cost £BSO. 7. Track from Kumara sea beach road to Noonan's ferry, Teremakau ; length about a mile; cost £250. S. Mount Greenland track to the Mikonui valley flat above the first ■gorge: distance about six miles, near the head works of the Mikonui; estimated cost £I4OO. 9. Track from sea beach up the Gorge river to junction of Gorge and Jerry rivers, distance about five miies, giving access to the mining country lately opened at the Gorge rivpr: cost £I2OO. 10. Track from M'Donald's Creek, Okarito district, as agreed to at last meeting of the Council; cost £4OO. 11. Track from Okarito Forks to Waiho river; distance about six miles; est £ISOO. 12. Track from Grpenstone road to Christchnrch road via Ballarat Hill • length about 4£ miles; cost £BOO. WATER-RACES. The following telegram from the Minister of Mines was read and received : Am prepared to enter into arrangement to hand over to your county the Waimea and Kumara water-races, Kumara sludgechannel, and Mikonui water-race, all°in the County of Westland, as I feel sure a local body can manage them much more cheaply and practically than Government can, the whole together show a large margin of revenue over expenditure; county to take over from Ist pros. Mr Jack read from the last statement of the Mines Department showing the value of these properties. He thought it far better for the Council to take over. He did not apprehend many difficulties from the settlers on the Teremakau river. It would lie unwise on the part of the Council !o neglect an npportuni'y of iticroisng their ri'VHinie.

Mr Oiiriym s>iii <•■>>•,}■■* timt* a i-csolutiuu was ':;y the Council affirmiu" the if tJiu ecmUul

of these races being retained by the Government instead of handing them to the local bodies. It is true the properties are very valuable, but they still require a gred»deal of money to keep them in repair. At one time a great deal of dissatisfaction was expressed by the miners at the manner they were dealt with; the causes of discontent had now been removed, and the miners were happy and contented. Mr Grimmond felt inclined to accept the offer. He could see that a very valuable asset was offered to them, and he saw no valid reason for not accepting it. He was not prepared to take oyer the Mikonui water-race unless a special grant was voted by Parliament to complete it. Large companies had gone to heavy expenditure bringing water on lo ground not so profitable. He wished he had the same offer as that made to the county. Mr Seddon said he would prefer having the matter discussed at the ordinary meeting of the Council. Before they resolved on any course of action it was necessary to acquire the fullest information from the Mines Department as to the condition of the race; and the County Engineer should be instructed to report on what repairs are needed. When all this information is acquired, they could refer the matter to the Public Works Committee to deal with. He would suggest that some member should move in this direction. I' must be determined that the Council will have nothing to do with the Mikonui race.

Mr M'Whirter had always opposed the taking over of this race and would oppose it still. He thought the Government had seen dangers ahead from the tailings in the Teremakau and wished to transfer them to the Council. The maintenance during the last twelve months had been very imperfectly carried oat, perhaps with the view of making the race look as profitable as possible. If a serious accident happened to the race, the County would not be in a position to repair it. He was personally dependent on the workings of the Waimea race, and if anything occurred to stop the race the consequences would be disastrous to himself and others.

Mr Seddon moved, «That the Government be asked to get their manager to report and to show the County Engineer the state of the race as to repairs, die., and give statement of receipts and expenditure for this year up to 31st March, also estimate of expenditure and current contracts for next year; that the County Engineer inspect and report; that a select committee be authorised to report to the whole Council; that (his Council decline to enter into negotiations about Mikouui race till that race is completed." In doing so he did not take the gloomy view held by Mr M'Whirter. These races had not been so profitable as they ought, owing to the want of engineering skill displayed. As a matter of fact, works had in many cases cost a far heavier sum than shoukl have been paid. The Waimea race had cost greatly in excess of what it should, as instanced in the excessive cost of the syphon. If these pipes had been constructed of wrought iron, rolled in Eng'aud and rivetted on the spot, ua Mr O'Connor suggested, they would have cost less than their actual cost of transit from Wellington to the ground. He also disagreed with Mr M'Whirter concerning the present management. The Government had, during the last twelve months, managed the race admirably, and to the satisfaction of the miners. He also felt sure there had been no neglect in maintenance. Wherever repairs are necessary they have been immediately done. He felt no hesitation in taking over these races; it was only prudent to get all particulars before deciding. Dr Daly seconded the motion. Mr Jack, in supporting the resolution, expressed his satisfaction at the remarks made by Mr Seddon. Me was sure it would be in the interests of the county if the Council took these races over.—Motion carried. Resolved, that a select committee of the whole Council meet to consider the proposals as soon ;is the reports ;uv received. A telegram from the Mi-ses Deparr meut relative to the sain of .£ISOO for sludge-channel at Ros.-;, was referred to the Ross Borough Council, a copy to be sent to the member for the district who, Mr Seddon said, had been mainly instrumental in getting this moriMj voted. The Council then adjourned.