LIVINGSTONE.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 1027, 5 August 1879, Page 2

LIVINGSTONE.

(FROM OCR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) There is, as the result of the present scarcity of water, a good deal of discussion on the subject of an increase in the supply and necessity for another race, and a good deal of attention has been drawn to an application recently lodged by Sir. Roberts for a water-right from a low level in the river. From what I can learn, after consulting with several miners on the subject, it promises to be the most | feasible and profitable scheme for increasing the water supply that has ever ' been broached here. Mr. Roberta seems to have made a rough survey of the intended course of the race he has applied for, and is confident of being able to bring in a steady supply of say three heads in a distance of about six miles of race. This, when it is borne in mind that the shortest of the present races taking their supply from the river is over twenty miles in length, appears exceedingly remarkable, but, with his explanation, is readily understood. He has, I believe, discovered a| course for his race quite free from gullies along the river sideling, thereby saving many miles of cutting. This plan necessitates the erection of a high flume across the river, but, at the present low price at which iron piping can be obtained, will be a very little matter as compared with tho distance saved, without taking into account the immense saving in the matter of repairs, as against a run nearly four times its length ; then the point from which he purposes delivering the water is, I am informed, so low that it Pwill rarely be affected by the frosts such as are now completely cutting off the supply of the present races, and yet will be sufficiently high at its delivery end to command nearly tho whole of the field. lam sure I heartily wish him success in his venture, as, if brought to a successful issue, it will be a public boon. The great drawback to the thorough success of Maerewhenua. as a goldfield is the insufficient and irregular supply of water at command. I have a notion that he will try shortly to launch the scheme in Oamaru, and endeavour to form a company to carry it out. From what I know of the country, the work can, I believe, be done for LISOO, or at most L2OOO, and if my estimate be correct, I do not hesitate in saying it will be a most valuable and desirable property, and will, no doubt, pay fully 20 per cent, per annum on the latter amount, especially if he acquires in connection therewith a tail-race right in Pringle's Gully, for which I hear he is about to apply, if he has not already done so.

The party of Chinamen who reeeatljr obtained a grant of a claim and tail nl>»j in Golden Gully are getting on with their race, and will soon be in # position to open out their claim. They have done good and substantial work, so far, and have had a lot of blasting to cut their tail-race through the hard slate rock forming the bed of the gully. They will, in the opinion of many here, be handsomely paid eventually, as their grant ia practically a monopoly of the whole gully, which is over two miles long, besides . several side gullies of well-known richness in the yellow metal. They deserve it all for their great pluck and perseverance, though I have reason for believing that several European miners are considerably chagrined at having allowed so good a speck to slip through their fingers. The weather continues hard, and not! drop of water is available.