THE TUAPEKA HILL SLUICERS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 320, 29 December 1862, Page 5

THE TUAPEKA HILL SLUICERS

{To the Editor of the Daily Timks.) Sir, —There arc some remarks in Mr Bower's Jelrer in your issue of Dec. 17th, to which I would beg the favor of answering. As to his remark on the little f kill required in bringing water over the hills, I would only say it shows Mr Bower's knowledge or ignorance in a strong light. And cannot Mr Bower's comprehension, however limited, understand how the hill-sluictrs are of the labor-saving civilisers of mankind? Perhaps Air Bower would prefer carrying the paydirt from the hills down to the water, but f, for one, like the "labor-saving" process, and therefore assisted in cutting a race that the water might perform labor. It is a way I liked, and I consider in so doing the Province is benefitted, as the ground we can work in this way is payable in no other. Those unacquainted with these localities might suppose from Mr Bower's letter that the hill-sluic'ew had diverted the water fioin the flats altogether, but the fact is as to Gabriel's and Munroe's, the hills chipfly in working are those near the head of the gullies, and therefore the water from these workings is delivered into the flat very little below the top sluicing claims. Mr Bower says the water ought to be allowed to run in its natural course till the flats are worked out; why it is only by diverting that water from its course to where it'is required, that the flats are worked, and if one party raises the water 10 or 15 feet to get it to a claim in the flat above its natural course, why shall another not be allowed to raise it 100 or 51)0 feet on to a. spur. I would remind Mr Bower that " what is sauce for the goose is sauce lor the pander ;" and I can see no reason why the g< Id should remain in the hills to await that indefinite peiLd "till the flats are worked out." Would Mr Bower in the flat be so courteous as to wait till we have worked the hills, if our operations in any way interfere with him ] I rather think not; he would most wise'y avail himself c»f the law which prevents us from injuring him, as it protects our rights too. I am, &c, Hesky Lord. Munroe's Gully, Dec 20. 1862.