THE Thames Guardian AND MINING RECRD. MONDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 1871.

Thames Guardian and Mining Record, Volume I, Issue 38, 20 November 1871, Page 2

THE Thames Guardian AND MINING RECRD. MONDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 1871.

The ‘Wellington Independent,’ of November 14, says : On Saturday, Mr. Charles O’Neill, M.H.R., and Mr. Wannoll, J.P., Thames, had an interview with the Hon. Colonial Treasurer, Mr. Vogel, in reference to the pressing requirements at Grahamstown and Shorthand, as shown in a petition of 2,500 residents, presented lately to Parliament by Mr. O’Neill. The Colonial Treasurer explained that, in the- event of the Government obtaining the foreshore from the natives, it would be handed over as an endowment—while the local boards would be entitled to a fair proportion of the funds set apart for Highway purposes, and that the Government would give their best attention to the subject of advancing the goldfields by’,water supply. Messrs. O’Neill and "Wannoll thanked Mr. Vogel and withdrew. This intelligence is satisfactory as far as it goes, and the thanks of the district are due to Mr. O’Neill and Mr. Wannoll, for pressing the matter upon the attention of the Treasurer, and eliciting so favorable a reply. But the foreshore question, we are afraid, is not definitely settled, and, if much depends upon that part of the business, wc may look for delay. If this foreshore were handed over and utilised properly, it would make a most valuable property, and if the revenues derived from it, and a fair proportion of the funds set apart for highway purposes, were spent in local improvements, there would be few towns in these Colonies, and certainly none on the diggings, to surpass it. We trust the attention of the Provincial Council will be prominently called to this question by our Goldfields members, and that they will unite in doing all they can to induce the Council to do justice, as far as lays in their power, to this the most important portion of the Province. But as wc have said in a former article, we are aware that the Council and funds are not of the most extensive kind, and that in dealing with goldfields matters and native questions they are far from omnipotent. We hope, however, that the good sense of the House at large will acknowledge how much the Thames has done for the whole Province, and will deal as liberally with us as its limited coffers and powers allow. The goldfields water supply is a most important question. A scientific adaptation of the existing water power of the district would enable mining works to be carried on in an infinitely larger scale than they are at present, and there is every reason to believe that the larger the scale of the undertaking the greater the return, provided, of course, that it is based on reliable data. Mining at the Thames is but in its infancy. With sufficient enterprise, capital and labor, to make the most of its natural advantages, especially as regards water-power, we do not believe there is any quartz field in the World that would compare with it. We have before us the immediate prospect of a considerable improvement in the supply of water for domestic use; but a great deal more will have to be done before the place is properly supplied with water for general purposes. The subject, we trust, will be thoroughly ventilated during the ensuing session. To the goldfields members in the first place, and then to the Council generally, the Thames looks for an adequate recognition of its wants and importance. Not long ago the Goldfields wore looked upon rather as an incumbrance upon the province than an assistance : indeed it was a long time before some lion, members would believe there was any gold at all in the district. Now, however, things are wearing a very different aspect, and we certainly expect that to all subjects connected with the advancement of the . Field, the Council, and the Goldfields members especially, will give their very closest attention, and that their deliberations will result in permanent benefit to this district and to the whole province.