THE Mount Ida Chronicle FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 1872.

Mount Ida Chronicle, Volume III, Issue 183, 6 September 1872, Page 5

THE Mount Ida Chronicle FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 1872.

We are not very much surprised at being questioned, as we constantly are, as to when the first steps will be taken to initiate the public works in this district, which, according to Mr. Haughton's report, have been sanctioned by

the. Government. The contact of the powers that be appear in mis case to be in the extreme. "Works are admittedly sanctioned, and we are informed that, in the carrying out of these works, no further, legislation is necessary. This we presume to mean that the sums necessary for the construction aud completion of these works are already in the hands and at the disposal of the Government, under the sanction of a vote of the House of last session, for Water Supply ou Goldfields and works of a reproductive character. Why, then, this delay in commencing operations ? The money is in hand, and the time of year favorable to the commencement of the work. It might be said that there is a 4 difference of opinion as to whether or not the head race for flushing and other purposes should be constructed from the Mauuherikia or Little Kyeburn. The survey of the latter line has been fqr some time past completed, and that of the former one is now being carried out. We confess that our leaning is in favor of the race being taken (if survey should prove it practicable) from the Manuherikia, as affording the larger and far more permanent supply of the two. Our St. Bathans friends appear to think that we of Naseby desire to poach, as it were, on their pre-

serves, and deprive them of water which is essential to the satisfactory development and working of their own district. We cannot admit such to be the case, and we feel sure that, -when completed, the survey will show that the amount of water to be brought into this place cannot nor , wilt, in any perceptible degree, interfere with the volume of water carried iii so large a river as is the Manuherikia. Putting, However, the question of head race aside, it is evident that, whether the source be the Kyeburn or the Manuherikia, the const! uetion of the Sludge Channel is, in either case, absolutely necessary —in fact, in our opinion, forms the principal feature of the whole scheme for the development of the resources of the district, and could and should be proceeded with without delay. In this, as in all other matters connected with this place, the want of a legally constituted and recognised body, as a medium of communication with the Government, is strongly felt. There is no doubt that the Trade Association have done much to infuse a spirit of vitality and progress into the district, and have done so with a considerable amount of success. Still, it is hardly fair to expect the gentlemen who constitute the Association to be for'ever putting their hands into their pockets, to do that of which the- whole community will reap the benefit. Were a Municipality in operation here, public funds could and would be. available for public purposes. We are of opinion that an effort should at once be made by the Trade Association to bring (by telegram) the matter of the Sludge Channel under the notice of the Government, and ascertain for certain when the works will be proceeded with. It would be well to point out that,, if the Channel is to be of any real benefit t5 the place, no time" should be lost in making a commencement. " Hope " deferred makes the heart grow sick" is a well established proverb, and unless something ])e done to facilitate the operations of the miners, we shall find that, disappointed and hopeless, the population of the place will depart from it, and seek other fields, which are looked upoq. with more favorable eyes by the Government than Mount Ida would appear to be. "We trust that the Trade Association will take our suggestions in good part, and lose no time in ascertaining distinctly from the Government when the Sludge Channel will be commenced, and urging the immediate calling of tenders for the vork. Were it definitely known when the work is to be

proceeded with, many miners who are afc the present time fidgetty and doubtful would becdme atdnce satisfied, and settle down to their work in good hope and with renewed confidence resources of the district.