WATER SUPPLY ON THE GOLDFIELDS.

Mount Ida Chronicle, Volume II, Issue 127, 4 August 1871, Page 3

WATER SUPPLY ON THE GOLDFIELDS.

In a recent issue we published that portion of Mr. Haughton's report on Water Supply on the Goldfields which had reference to the Mount Ida District proper. Now, however, that we .are on the eve of discussion by, the Assembly of this all-important subject, we once more return to it, to maiutain the interest that has hitherto been taken in the matter, and open fresh discussion on the many different suggestions that have poured in. from all quarters, and from all classes of men and communities. But, while we reopen our columns for this purpose, we do not intend to advance views ourselves. It will be enough for us to be the medium of conveying the opinions of those who are in better positions to advance arguments in favor of expenditure in one direction or the other. With this view we publish a report — which we happen to have, in our possession—made by Mr. H A. Stratford, lite Gold Receiver at St. Bathans. This report will perhaps prove more interesting, as it not only particularly refers to the position of St. Bathans' mining interests, but fairly launches into the subject of water supply in all its bearings:-

. Q. I.— What is the principal character of the mining in the portion of the district in which you reside ?

A. I.—Ground sluicing has been for the past four years, and is now the modus operandi. I have no doubt that in the course of four or five years there will be deep sinking and tunnelling again, for the bottom of St. Bathans basin is known to be very rich, and is I far below the level of the main sludge channel. N.B. —There are quartz reefs in the neighborhood at present uu-. tested. Q. ll.—ls the supply of water from existing sources sufficient to meet the requirements of the miners ? A. 2. —Yes; owing chiefly to the. soundness of the three large races brought in from the Maniiherikia, and certain large creeks on the eastern watershed of the St. Bathans ranges. Formerly there was considerable leakage from these races, but at present their embankments are watertight; and three reservoirs near St. Bathans are kept continually full by these races. There are also several small races carrying one and two heads, with ' uncertain supply, but giving employment to about nine men two-thirds of each year. Q. lII.—-Will you state whether there exists in your neighborhood pay- . able auriferous land not commanded by the present water supply ; and if so, give an approximate idea of the area. ? A. 3. —There is payable auriferouland to the extent of perhaps three hundred acres beyond the present discharge of the main races. This area has been prospected in many different parts, and believed to be payable as sluicing ground when water rent is reduced to £2 per head a week. I do not say that it is not commanded by the present races, because I believe that at a very small cost of construction (and comparatively.little fluming) ail the water now discharged into St. Bathans basin could be brought on to the ground I refer to. (In short '* the races are at level than the new ground.") . ' Q: IV.—ls the water supply derived from artificial sources, in the hands of men mining there ov\n ground, or is it, or any part of it, held as a separate property, and let to the miners; and, if so, at what price per regulation head ? A. 4. Of the three large races, the Scandinavian (discharging, I think,.on an averige 20 heads) is held by shareholders in all parts of Otasjo. There are 240 shares valued at £SO a share. The water is rented for the most pa»'t to miners, who have also an interest in the-company. They pay 13s. 4d. per sluice head a day (£4 a week). The water is measured in a covered box 20 inches by 2 inches, 3 feet long, with #3| inches pressure, I think equal to a Government sluice head (when the measurement, of box is compared with a Government box). Whenever there is a public holiday, or cessation of work on account of the sludge channel being choked, or even a single party turning the water off to wash up, the water

company at once turns the spare water on to their own claim. This remark answers first query of No 4 question, viz., each water company has its own claim, which it works with spare water on such occasions as above. My remarks in regard to the Scandinavian apply in every way to the two other large races, the Enterprise and Mountain with this exception—that there are fewer shareholders. in the latter races, and they discharge 12 and 8 heads each. The Enterprise Company for some time past has not been able to work its,claim owing to want of fall. This difficulty. will probably soon be obviated.

Q. V.—Granted that there exists such auriferous land, do you know of any source or sources from which water could be obtained to command it. If so, state locality or localities ; and, approximately, distance or distances; quantity of water available ; and nature of the country with regard to probable cost of corstruetion of the race or races ?

A. 5. —Certainly there are other sources from which water could be brought, but not at a cost to pay expenses —for instance, from the Dunstan Creek, at a distance of 12 miles up stream, and at a cost of £SOO a-mile ; but this work must not be undertaken while the present sludge channel is required, .because the Dunstan Creek discharges 25 heads flushing water into the channel daily to assist to carry sludge and debris away into the Dunstan Creek ; and while the channel requires 25 heads the Dunstan Creek will have no water to spare for races ; and when the channel service is at an end a new race will not be required, as the main races will be carried on <:o the new ground. The Scandinavian race could be enlarged t) bring in ten more heads at a less cost than a race from Dunstan Creek to carry same quantity. I repeat that water can be obtained from other sources, but will never be required, as far as I can judge —at any rate, not at a cost of £SOO am'il'e for construction.

Q/ Vl:—Having read sections xxvi., xxvii., and xxviii. of the Immigration and Public Works Act, 1870 ; do you think the proposed system of subsidising the Water Supply of the Goldficdds. is one likely to promote the interests, and consequently increase the number, of Europeau mmers ? A. 6.—1, have read sections xxvi., xxvii., and xxviii. of the Public Works Act. I do not approve of the Government taking the initiative in any works where there is (such as gold mining) always sufficient private enterprise without,such impetus. The framing of the Act appears to give the Government power to be proprietors, should such a step be necessary ; but T am < f opinion that the power to subsidise and guarantee is all that will ever be required to cause a fair development—not overstrained—of os.r auriferous resources. After the manner of the Dunedin Water Works guarantee, the Government would do wisely to encourage the formation of private companies by offering, say eight per cent., for ten years,' in cases where it could be shown, that the company have fair prospects, and a sound-looking prospectus. I believe the purchase of the water ra<-es at St. Bathans, for instance, by a company guaranteed, and bound down not to charge more than £2 per head a-week, would increase the population here cent, per cent., as soon as the works were in operat'on. I certainly most highly approve of the guarantee system, and also the employment of Government surveyors and engineers, free-of-charge to the miners, in levelling races aril constructing reservoirs ;" hut beyond this assistance, and a guarantee on works in full operation, it would be dangerous-to sp<md public money, for it cannot be concealed that every class of colonist (none excepted) to think it honest to get all it can out of the Government. The Government has to pay a higher price than any private firm or individual for anyihing it may require ; and however honest and well disposed its public servants may he, it would be next to impossible to prevent the wholesale bleeding of the Treasury chest were such a premium i'*r dishonenly offered as Government minitig works, while the opinion prevails so strongly

and widely that extortion is perfectly honorable es long as t\e Government is the victim. The consequence of subsidizing water supply I am not called upon to offer an opinion about, as the Commissioner himself concludes it would be an increase of European miners, though I woul I most respectfully suggest Chinese and other miners also. Q. Vll—Should it be decided upon undertaking the construction of the works indicated, are you of opinion that, when completed, they should remain in the hands of the Government; the water being let at a minimum price per head to cover maintenance and expenses ; or can you suggest any other practicable arrangement ? A. 7—l have already stated that I do not approve of the Government being proprietors of mining works. Let it have the absolute right to inspect, supervise, and interfere in all cases where it subsidizes, assists, or guarantees, but not actually take entire control, or it will find most assuredly that it will be raising up a new department of officials, and that the cost of maintenance will exceed the revenue. What with managers and gangsmen, guagers and clerks, engineers, purveyors, inspectors, and subdittos, all the public money will be swallowed up in management—all of which could be obviated, as a guarantee itself would be sufficient encouragement to in luee immediate private enterprise, and with most beneficial effect, which would be soon proved by publishing: the offer of guarantee on the Dunedm Water Works plan. Q. VIII.—In districts where labor is scarce and dear, would it be praeti % cable to obtain the assistance of thjf. miners themselves in the construction of the works, the men employed receiving sustenance money, and taking out the balance of their full wages in water ? A. 8. —In no district is labor scarce or dear, and the offer of guarantee and subsidy would soon prove this assertion. There are always to be found men who are desirous of maintaining a high market price for labor—viz., £4 a week as miners' wages—but this | price is only a fiction, and miners have acquired sufficient sense by hardjbought experience to prefer even £2 ' a week rather than hump their swags from field to field in search of higher wa<res. The Commissioner seems to hint so much at Government works and their results, that I .can only repeat that I consider Government works as highly injurious. It would undoubtedly cause little bursts of prosperity to sundry townships near the scene of action. It would draw together men of the shearer class, who invariably liquidate their cheques at the nearest publichouse, and would improve the position of many a publican—the very class that must bo extirpated (I do not refer to the legitimate hotelkeeper) before the miners can get peace or become bona fide settlers. The institution of saving banks for grog shanties, the liberal assistance of the Government to enterprise by guarantee, scientific direction and planning, and by subsidy, will prove to be the best means of securing settlement, increase of population, and dev lopment of the auriferous r.-sources of the country. > And in offerinir these opinions (which I do with freedom and unbiassed) I speak from experience as a practical miner; and having resided eight vears and a-half on the Goldfields of Otago —four yeacs of that time a Gold field* Wsirden, and in charge (at different periods) of five different districts.