THE GOVERNMENT AND THE WATER SUPPLY.

Thames Guardian and Mining Record, Volume I, Issue 96, 30 January 1872, Page 3

THE GOVERNMENT AND THE WATER SUPPLY.

To the Editor of The Thames Guardian;

Sin, —I fear my predictions of the Government promises as to the water supply of this field will be verified ; for what do we find now ? A most extraordinary document issued by Mr Ormond to the mine managers here, asking for information upon points on which report upon report has already been submitted to the Government. The questions submitted to the mine managers are, to my mind, absurd, the sum and substance being, “ Do you want water or not ?” The array of engineers who have reported upon a want which no goldfield can exist without, is “ legion,” and what do they say? That water is wanted, and atpresent it is a serious difficulty in the working of this field, and there can be no doubt upon the matter, but yet the Government put off this serious difficulty. The question is, has Mr Ormond any doubt upon the point as to the necessity of a water supply for this field ? The course he lnqp taken simply shows that he has great doubts, but wishes, if he can, to be borne out in those doubts by mining managers’ reports. Whether a water supply is necessary for the futuro development of this field, the voice of .the people emphatically reply yes ; but yet obstacles are thrown in the way, until the scheme and the necessity becomes a thing of the past. Winter will soon be on us again, and if the Government should, in their gracious considerations, see fit to pronounce that this field is to receive a mite of the loan to carry out this high or low-level scheme, the weather will become a hindrance, and it may be years ere the consummation of the supply will be carried out, which atpresent is much wanted. It is a fact that we are at present suffering, and that seriously, for want of water for crushing-machinery hundreds of tons of good payable stuff is waiting to be put through, but cannot, for want of water. This then, is a serious difficulty ; the trade of the district depends upon the working of the mines, but if water cannot be had, and the crushing stopped, men are likewise discharged from the mines and machines, as in many instances known. Is it not then our place to bo up and doing, in order to obtain means for our livelihood, what our representative has failed to do. The mass of the people must bestir themselves and obtain their rights ; they arc now heavily taxed, and will be further taxed to repay the loan obtained, and it is but justice that we should have works that will enable us to develop our resources to meet tlie heavy taxes wo must look forward to. I have , already written and urged this matter upon the attention of my fellow-settlers, and it is for us to agitate until we obtain our rights.—l am, &c., Censor.