THE Mount Ida Chronicle FRIDAY, APRIL 19, 1874.

Mount Ida Chronicle, Volume III, Issue 163, 19 April 1872, Page 4

THE Mount Ida Chronicle FRIDAY, APRIL 19, 1874.

Most gl-telly do we this day chronicle the arrival of Mr. Simpson, the engineer appointed by the Government to inquire into and report upon the *>ludge Channel and an increased Water Supply for the district. The matter is one of the greatest importance alike tu the district and to the Government, as there cannot exist the shadow of a doubt that r.he works would be almost immediately reproductive. More water and the getting rid of our tailings mean an increased population, a larger amount of gold, and consequently an increased revenue. The questions to be solved are no doubt difficult, but, in the hands of a gentleman of Mr. Simpson's admitted ability, will not be found to be insuperable. From the reports which have from time to time, during the last few years, made their appearance, neither in the case of the construction of the Sludge Channel nor the bringing, in of additional water, are there any great engineering difficulties suggested. The matter would rather appear to be one of pounds, shillings, and pence; and when it has been i'jown to the Government, as we have not the least doubt it , will now be shown, that the contem-

plated works are not only perfectlypracticable, but will be essentially reproductive, there is no fear but that the necessary funds will be forthcoming. We have no desire to show, or to attempt to show, Mr. Simpson how his duties should be prosecuted. We would rather leave „him to act according to his professional judgment and ability, feeling convinced that he will gladly avail himself of the practical information which many miners here are able and, we feel sure, willing to afford them. There are, however, one or two points which, without for a moment wishing to interfere with Mr. Simpson and his duties, we feel it right to refer. We allude to an increased water supply. If this be entered upon it should be done effectually, and nothing less than a large and permanent supply should satisfy the public. There are, we believe, two sources from which additional water can be brought in—the Kyeburn and the Manuherikia. The loriner is not a permanent supply, though it could no doubt for very many months of the year increase the present : quantity. Again, though in the case 01 i the Kyeburn the distance would be very much less than the Manuherikia, there are vested water rights whit*'a would necessarily have to be compensated and bought up. With regard to the Manuherikia, not only are there no vested rights to be purchased, but the supply would be unlimited and permanent. As we have said before, to our mind the whole matter resolves itself into a simple question of £ s. i>., and we fail to see where or in what way the Government could make a better or more reproductive investment of public money than in carrying out the proposed works in the fullest and most comprehensive manner. Into the question as to how the water is to be sold r and at what price,.. or.how the privilege to run into the. channel, and. On what terms, we do riot feel at the present' time called upon to enter. not fond of being over governed, and we dislike Government interference with private speculations. Still, there are times and occasions when the Government could and should step iii fer 1 the benefit and protection of the public. The Telegraph is entirely in the hands of the Government, and has been found to work well, and we feel disposed to think that, .were all the water rights of this district to be resumed under sec. 26 of tbeGoldfields^ct,lß66, a very great boon would be conferred upon the community. The question of charge would then become easy, a.nd it could not be asserted that by bringing in water the Government had interfered with rights in existence. With an increased Water Supply and a decreased charge per head, Mount Ida might and would hold her head as high and .as proudly as the best Goldfield in New Zealand. The ball has been set rolling, and it will now be our fault if we allow it to stop until we obtain all and everything we require.

We have to apologise to our readers for several matters of local interest being withheld till our next iseue. Tklegkaphic communication was completed through to Auckland on the 13th inst. The office hours at Auckland and Grahamstown are from 8 am. till.B p.v^. The Treasurer cf the Mount Ida District School Committee begs to acknowledge, with thanks, the receipt of £7 from Messrs. Horsweli and Newmarch, being proceeds of the entertainment got up by them in aid of the school funds. We are glad to be able to report that our representative, Mr. J. P. Armstrong, lias at length put in an appearance. Better late than never is an old and generally accepted axiom. Much has been said of Mr. Armstrong since his election. What he has done and what he has not done have been frequent subjects of comment. We have ourselves upon several occasions expressed opinions as to the laxity of our members. One of them, Mr. Armstrong is now in our midst, and if we allow him to depart without expressing an opinion of his conduct during the past, and letting him also know what we hope and expect from him for the future, the fault will be ours, not his There are so many questions of importance connected with this district of which, unless the matters be brought before them, our members (not being local men) must necessarily be ignorant. It therefore, having elected them becomes our duty to instruct them. A more fitting opportunity than the present couM not occur. Mr Armstrong is here. Let us meet him—hear from him an account of his stewardship, and give him instructions.for the future. In connection with this matter we feel it our duty to mention that, upon all occasions of Nasebyites visiting Dunedin, that gentle man has used his be»t efforts to introduce them

and their grievances to Governmental notice. Mr. Armstrong is, we hear, expecting the arrival of his colleague,. Mr. Mervyn, when he ■will be prepared'to show his hand and address the electors. We wish "Honest John" success.

Tuesday next, heing St. George's Pay, will be observed as a holiday by the banks. The promoters of the entertainment on behalf of the school funds on Monday evening last were highly favored by the public. An unusual number of people attended the Hall, and before nine o'clock the house was well filled. !he Chairman's speech, and an introductory piece by the band, Mr. Stratford related an anecdote of a scene in the Tower of London, at that memorable time when the Prince of Orange succeeded James the ifecond on the British Throne. Miss Roberts sang the "Last Rose of Summer" with good effect. Mr. and Mrs. Hall came forward several times. Mrs. Hall's best piece was " The blind Girl to ber Harp." The recitation of Mr. M'Cluskey's satisfies us that we may class one more to our corps of volunteers for Winter Readings. Mr. Grumitt is very successful in his selection of pieces, and is always looked for eagerly by the audience; but both he, Mrs. Hall, and Miss Roberts would have had grea'er justice done them if they were accompanied on the piano. Mr. Cowper's story of Savings' Banks was a good hint to some of our ne'er-do-wells, and Mr. Bremner's songs arouse Home memories to patriots of Scotland and Ireland. Mr. Petehell read, with great clearness, about a grandfather. Mr. Robinson's little piece contained a good moral, and his touching appeals to public opinion won great applause. Messrs. Neale and Horswell told most comical stories. Miss Maggie Baird was true to her reputation of possessing a most; etentive memory. Mr. Stratford's second performance was if. story of the early days in Otago, supposed to have been told by one Tom, a digger at St. Bathans. The story had a view of probabiuTy throughout, and there were some present who wondered if the Bankers, Commissioner, and Diggers were yet in the Prov nee. Last, but not least, we must mention Mr. Newmarch, who exerted himself to make the entertainment attractive, and on the stage acted his part capitally. His songs were very humorous, particularly "The Doctor's Boy," which was an encore. There were trivial failures, hesitations, and faults of tediousness, and even of shortness. There were shortcomings, and longcominga also; but the vhole entertainment was of itself (without considering the cause) worth the money, and it there is to be one periodically—say "once a month—we will attend ourselves, andlioncstly advise all those who can appreciate fair local talent to come also.