THE Mount Ida Chronicle FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 1871.

Mount Ida Chronicle, Volume II, Issue 135, 29 September 1871, Page 4

THE Mount Ida Chronicle FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 1871.

The two great wants of this portion of the Mount Ida District are admittedly an additional supply of water, and at a cheaper rate than heretofore, and the construction of aSludge Channel which shall carry the tailings beyond where they can interfere with the present and future workings. Now, with regard to further water supply it has been asserted over and over again, by many of our would-be quid mines that all the water available within any reasonable and practicable distance, ?md at any ordinary outlay, has already been brought in, and that, unless we are prepared to undertake the Herculean task of bringing in the Manuherikia River, we must be contented with the supply of water we already possess. ISow, from information which has reached us, we are inclined to believe that water to a very considerable amount can be brought in from a source which has hitherto been looked upon as unavailable. We allude to the Big Kyeburn, from which we are informed that afc least fifteen to twenty Government heads of water can be brought in at a level sufficient to command the whole of these workings, with the exception, perhaps, of the higher portions of Surface Hill. Now, these twenty Government heads of water would represent something like 135 to 180 Hogburn heads in the twenty-four hours. This would, of course, necessitate the construction of dams for storing the night and other water. That suitable places for such dams can be found there can exist no difference of opinion—neither can there be the least doubt that the advantage to the public of the introduction of such a large additional amount of water would be extreme. We have said that sufficient informa. tion has reached us to induce us to believe that the bringing in of a very large additional supply of water from the Big Kyeburn Biver is not only practicable, but practicable at a not very extravagant cost. When we say not extravagant cost, we mean for the necessary cutting, fluming, &c. It must, however, be borne in mind that the water to which we allude is at present in the hands of private individuals —held under license from the Crown. If what we have heard be true, the holders of these licenses would be willing to come to any fair and equitable arrangement with the Government, both for the cutting in of the race upon the subsidy system, and either the surrender of their rights at a fair rate of compensation, or the retention thereof under certain restrictions to be imposed by the Government, as to a maximum price per head to be charged for the water. It must be clear to all that the bringing in of additional water would tend very much to simplify the question as to the working of a sludge channel, as the water could, under any contract between the Government and the license holders, be made to be available for the purpose of flushing the channel when necessary. The question is one of so great importance to the district, and the various interest* which the district comprises, that we invite attention to the subject in order that the whole question may be thoroughly discussed and ventilated.

H. St?atfo«d has been appointed Register of Births,-Marriages, and Deaths for Naseby, vice Edgar Hall Carew, Esq.,'resigned!Thb second Spring Meeting of the Mount Ida Jockey Club will take place on the-Race-course on • "Wednesday next, the 4th October. From the character of some of the horses already entered, and the names of others spoken of as likely to contest, there is every reason to anticipate ft good day's sport, provided that the weather should prove, aa we earnestly trust it may do, fair and warm. Me. Edmund ' Hoeswell, of the Royal Hotel, notifies, in an advertisement which appears elsewhere, that a four-horse coach will run between the Royal Hotel and the Racecourse, on the occasion of the Spring Meeting of the Mount Ida Jockey Club (Wednesday, October 4th). This cannot fail to bean advantage of which the public will doubtlessly largely avail themselves. We are indebted to the courtesy of Mr. D. H. Mervyn, M.H.8., for copies of the Colonial Treasurer's Financial Statement, and of the new G-bldfields Bill. "We have not yet been able to wade through the new clauses of the Goldfields Bill, but hope to do so at as early a date as possible, in order to draw attention to any alterations and improvements which we trust the new Bill will be found to contain. •We hear fronrari authority which we know to be perfectly reliable, that a stack of oats containing over one hundred tons, the property qf Mr. J. B. L. Luks, of Waihemo, was found, shortly after midnight of the 21st instant, to be on fire, and in spite of every effort and a most liberal supply of water, the whole was j totally destroyed. The fire is believed to be the act of an incendiary. With reference to this fire, Mr. Robinson, R.M., proceeded on Wednesday last to the Waihemo for the purpose of holding an inquest. We are glad to be able to report that all the late sufferers from accidents are progressing favorably. The exodus to Clark's Diggings still continues, a large proportion being Chinese. On the 20th instant Mr. Smythies appeared at the bar of the House of Representatives to urge the House to pass a short Act to render the clause in the Legal Practitioners Act, 1866, under which he was restrained from practising his profession inoperative so far as himself is concerned. Mr. Smythies spoke for upwards of two hours, and went fully into the subject of his alleged offence, and the hardship under which he,was laboring. Nothing is known of the action likely to be taken by the House in the matter. The Q-arrick Club gave their first entertainment Tat the Masonic Hall last night, when there was a very good attendance, the whole passing off with considerable eclat. The lateness of the hour at which the performance closed compels us to hold jver our. remarks till our next issue. It will be seen by an advertisement elsewhere that it is the intention of that favorite artiste, Miss Edith Palmerston, to pay another visit to Naseby on the race night, when that lady will give another of her protean entertainments. During the last two days there has been an abundance of rain at different intervals, sufficiently heavy to lead to the anticipation of a flood. Notwithstanding the disappearance of the snow from the high ranges, the weather has been cold and cheerless with, nevertheless, that most desirable feature, an abundant supply of water, the races being all full, with good demand. We anticipate that the next escort return will show Mount Ida again in her ordinary position—at the head of the list. Since the severe frosts no washings-up of any importance have taken place. Messes. Indee and G-eoeoe, auctioneers, will sell by auction this evening (Friday) and on Monday next, Mr. M. Brookes' well-assorted stock of drapery, clothing, hosiery, and boots. On Thursday next, on the racecourse, several useful saddle and harness horses ; and in the Victoria Hall, on Saturday, the 7th proximo, Mr. J. P. Williams' interest in water race and claim. So much attention is given just now to affairs on the European Continent, that anything happening elsewhere that would arrest attention in peaceful times is entirely overlooked. The last Californian mail brought intelligence of one of the most fearful earthquakes of modern years, which has occurred in China. According to the report of the American Minister in China, the earthquake happened at Bathang, which lies on a yery elevated spot beyond the Province of Szchuen, on April 11, and about 80 miles from Tatsein. The quakes lasted for four days, and the earth opened in four different places, emitting great flames. The official reports say for several days before the earthquake the water had overflowed the dykes, after that the earth cracked in many places, and black foetid water spurted out in many places. Nearly 2500 persons were killed in the ruins of the houses, and a tract of country 20,000 square miles in extent was entirely devastated An extract from General Love's report will convey an idea of the severity of the shocks. In some places steep hills split and sunk into deep chasms, in others mounds on level plains became precipitous cliffs, and the roads and highways rendered impassable by obstructions. The people were beggared, and scattered like autumn leaves, and this calamity is the most distressing and destructive that has ever occurred in China. advertisement in another column it will be seen that the Kentucky Minstrels intend giving a performance in the Oddfellows' Hall, Empire Hotel, tomorrow evening. The up-country, papers report favorably of this ei»tertaing»«nt. , u ._. ,•,,,-,.