The New Zealand Times (PUBLISHED DAILY.) MONDAY, DECEMBER 2, 1878.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5517, 2 December 1878, Page 2

The New Zealand Times (PUBLISHED DAILY.) MONDAY, DECEMBER 2, 1878.

A slight disposition was shown in the House of Representatives during last session to deal in niggardly fashion with the mining interest with regard to a vote for the construction and supervision of waterraces. More liberal counsels, however, prevailed, and, after some questioning, two items were agreed to for the above purposes, namely, £9360 ss. for the North Island and £50,000 for the Middle Island. It does not appear from the schedule of the Immigration and Public Works Appropriation Act, 1878, on what specific works these sums may be expended, but it was intended that out of tho vote for the Middle Island £20,000 should go towards the construction of the Mikonui Water-race, about which there has been so much discussion for some years past. The ninth section of the above Act provides that the Mikonui Water-race “ may be undertaken and completed by any jointstock or other incorporated company established for that purpose, or by any person or persons.” The tenth and following sections provide that on the Council of the Borough of Ross giving an undertaking that the third, or what is known as the “tunnel” section of the race will be constructed by a company or person without assistance from the Colony, tho Govern®!’ on behalf of her Majesty may agree that a sum not exceeding £20,000 shall be contributed towards the construction of the first two sections of the race. Although at first sight this work may appear to be of merely local interest, further consideration will lead an impartial observer to the conclusion that tho results which may reasonably be expected to follow its completion are so great as to make it of some importance to the Colony at largo. The Totara goldfield, through a portion of which the proposed race will run, was opened in the early part of 18G5, and owing to tho great richness of tho finds, and the comparative ease with which some of tho ground could be worked, a large population was soon brought together within a radius of a few miles. After the lapse of some months, one of the most flourishing country towns in the Colony sprang up in the locality, and there seemed a probability that the settlement would be permanent. There was a fair supply of water in tho district available for raining purposes, but, as is often the case, it was at far too low a level. The miners expended large sums in getting oyer the difficulty by cutting small races along the sides of the terraces from points nearer the sources of the streams, and by the construction of reservoirs at high levels. For a time these works, though not fully sufficient for their requirements, served to keep tho population together, and tho Totara continued to prosper until the richer and more accessible parts of the field were exhausted. One of tho richest leads of gold ever found in the Colony was traced into very deep and wet ground on the flat on which tho town of Rosa stands. Mining there was carried on in a scientific manner, and numerous steam engines for pumping, hauling, and washing were erected. The yields were enormous, but it was found after a while that steam engines were too expensive, and most unwillingly, one by one the claim-holders ceased work, though tho enormous flat had, to use a mining phrase, been only “scratched.” Tho opinion of everyone—wardens, mining surveyors, and diggers—is that the flat contains an amount of wealth almost incalculable, but that it will never be brought to the surface until ample water power has boon made available. Since tho first days of prosperity various feeble attempts have been made to unearth these treasures, but all of them have failed. Tho Totara District has gradually sunk into a lamentable state of depression. The population has dwindled to a quarter of what it formerly was, and of those who remain only a very small number are earning fair wages. Business is almost at a standstill, and nearly half tho houses in the town of Ross are shut up, or have been removed to other places. If this state of affairs were the result of the exhaustion of tho gold—it tho ground were worked out —there would bo nothing more to be said; but tho peculiarity of the case is that, in tho opinion of every one who knows anything about tho matter, by far tho most valuable part of tho goldfield remains undeveloped.- What is urgently required is capital to provide water (1) for working tho vast terrace areas which would pay well it treated in a wholesale manner, and (2) to provide water power for pumping and winding in tho deep sinking on tho Ross flat, Tho Mikonui Water-race would give tho necessary supply, but tho district, and, unfortunately, Westland altogether, arc too poor to carry out any well organised scheme for constructing it without extraneous aid. That aid has been sought in various directions. At one time Mr. Brogden agreed to undertake tho work on certain concessions being made to him.

but for some reason or other nothing came of the negotiations. The Government engaged in the construction of other races, the Waimea, the Nelson Creek, and the Kanieri; and for the time the Mikonui was shelved. Last year the present Government promised a subsidy of £20,000 on condition that the balance of the full sum required was furnished from other sources. The total capital required is placed at £70,000. During the past year several schemes wore discussed for enabling the district to avail itself of the proffered Government aid. Endeavors wore made to form a company, but although a considerable amount of capital was subscribed, and the guarantee of the County Council promised, the proposal toll through. The Hon. Mr. Gisborne, the member for Totara, has been unremitting in his endeavors to initiate this great work, and it was in a great measure owing to his exertion that the vote of last year was again placed on the Estimates and included in the Immigration and Public Works Appropriation Act, 1878. Quite recently the Government have declared themselves willing to expend the £20,000 on tho race in terms of certain proposals which havoboen submitted by theßorough Council of Ross. We are not aware what tho whole of those proposals are, but we believe tho principal one amongst them is that the Borough Council is to find and expend a similar sum on tho work. Tho Government are also willing that the County Council of Westland shall stand in tho place of tho Ross Borough Council, if tho latter will agree to the change. There has been such an inordinate quantity of talking about this race, the business has occupied so long a time, and so many proposals have fallen through from one cause or another, that we are by no means satisfied either the County or Borough will after all boldly take the plunge, give the required guarantee, and commence work. And yet, as we have endeavored to show, it is confidently held that there never was a fairer prospect of success in any mining undertaking in New Zealand. It appears to have been made as certain as figures could make it, that the sale of the water will pay working expenses and interest on capital expended ; and that the completion of the race would bring an immediate renewal of prosperity to the Totara District. Should the arrangements at present pending between the Government and the local authorities come to nothing, an opportunity might offer itself for the formation of a company having for its objects not only the making of the race but the working of the rich gold deposits in the Boss flat. It is believed that an advantageous lease might be obtained of the pick of the ground, and to those who are not averse altogether to putting money into mining adventures, the project may bo tempting. It is passing strange that at a time when so many persons are turning their attention to the mineral resources of the Middle Island, when copper and tin, and marble, are creating a stir amongst a certain section of the community, there should be difficulty with regard to getting the requisite funds to construct tho Mikonui Water-race, and to work the deep ground in tho Totara District.