WATER SUPPLY ON GOLDFIELDS.

Mount Ida Chronicle, Volume III, Issue 186, 27 September 1872, Page 3

WATER SUPPLY ON GOLDFIELDS.

In the House of Representatives, last week, Mr. Macatsdrew moved —" That in the opinion of this H >u*e it is expedient that out of that portion of the Immigration and Public Works Loan applicable for Water Supply on the Goldfields, a sum not oxceedinsr £IOO,OOO be placed at the disposal of the Provincial Legislature of' Otago, to be by it applied exclusively towards the development of mining industry m that Province; such a sun to bf charged. against the revenue of the said Province." He maintained that, the system of assisting private enter-, prise was not suitable-to Otago,-where it was necessary -that -large works should be undertaken by the Government, and he believed the Provincial Council 1 was the proper body to determine and direct such works. If they did not-consent to this, he hoped at least that the Government would use the services of the Provincial Executive in expending the money. Mr. Stafford opposed the motion. The proposal was virtually to authorise a Provincial Borrowing Bill, and was in direct opposition to the principle the House had affirmed the other day, that the sole control and responsibility of the expenditure should remain with the General Government. The Government would, however, gladly -co-operate with the Provincial authorities, and avail themselves of local machinery. The Government fully recognised the importance of developing the Goldfields, and would do all in its power to do so. Mr. Mervtn suggested the withdrawal of the motion, and.urged the appointment of a Minister of Mines. After considerable debate, Mr. Sheehan moved an amendment —"That, excepting £500,000 for run Goldfields, the remainder of the amount for Goldfields "Water Supply should be allocated to the various Provinces, on the basis of the mining population, to be spent on reproductive works, subject to the approval of the General Government." .

Mr. Vogel supported the, amendment. He admitted that, last year's proposals had not worked satisfactorily, and that there was urgent necessity to take steps -to develop Goldfields.

After considerable further debate, Mr. Sheehan's amendment to Mr. Macandrew's motion was negatived by 29 to 23. Three of the Otago members voted with the G-overnment, who opposed it.