The Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. Resurrexi. FRIDAY, JULY 2, 1875.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 2026, 2 July 1875, Page 2

The Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. Resurrexi. FRIDAY, JULY 2, 1875.

In the development of the auriferous resources of the Tairua goldfiold water supply will necessarily exercise an important influence. Several applications have been lodged at the Warden's office for a supply from the Tairua river. These applications will bo, heard at the Warden's office on the 3rd of August next, and it is more than probable that the question of granting the same will; very much depend upou the construction which may be put upon the agreements of the natives with certain persons who acquired timber and water rights over the Tairua block previous to the purchase of tho land by the Government. We can scarcely believe that the Government have sanctioned any agreement between the natives and individuals which would confer upon the latter exclusive rights to the water. Recently ifc was stated that Sir. George Grey intended to publish the agreements,

about which so much has be«n said, in a.. Provincial Gazelle.' The Gazette has been looked for with some interest, but it has not yet made its appearance, and the public are still left iv the dark on a point regarding which information is Tory desirable. We have heard that it is the intention of the applicants for these water rights to amalgamate—should their applications be granted—for the purpose of ( bringing in a water race carrying some thirty sluice heads —a power which would be sufficient to meet all the requirements of crushing machinery likely to be erected for along time. A good supply of water is absolutely indispensable in the prosecution of mining work, whether alluvial or reefing ; and as there is a probability of both branches of mining being followed ia the Tairua district, mining can only be successfully followed by the aid of a 'water supply on a large scale. If it should be found that the rights conceded to individuals conflict with the goldfields interests, we presume the Government will have to take steps in the matter so as to get over any legal technicality which might interfere with the granting of the rights applied for. It cannot be assumed for one moment that the development of Tairua is to; be retarded by private interests, which were recognised by the Government more as a matter of equity than as rights legally obtained. There will be ample time between this and the 3rd August—the date on which the applications are to be considered —for a full investigation of the claims of the individuals who are/supposed to have a monopoly of timber and water in the Tairua black, and it is to be hoped that enquiry will be made so that no delay may: occur, in : granting the rights ; because if it be true that the applicants.intend to amalgamate, and form a company for bringing in a water supply, everyone who has the interests of mining:at heart would be glad to seeevcry facility afforded to private enterprise in this direction.- We are reluctant to believe that exclusive rights have been granted to any person or persons to use the water at Tairua, and it would be well that the question were settled at once. If such rights have been granted, the sooner they are revoked the better for the district, ilf? the Assembly has- to boj asked to annul the agreements in so far as the water rights are concerned, the sooner we know the exact state of the case; the better; and this can bo partly arrived at by the publication of the agreements as promised by His Honor the Superintendent. Water must be obtained to crush with at Tairua, and it can best be obtained by the investment of private capital; but, we imagine the Warden will be reluctant to grant any water rights so long as a doubt remains as to his power to set aside rights acquired before the Tairua block was purchased by the Government and brought under the operations of the Goldmining Districts Act. If exclusive rights to the water supply have been acquired by individuals prior to the acquisition by the Government of the land, and its proclamation as a goldfield, the. Warden has been placed in a difficult position, from which the Government only cau relieve him; ' <: ':",../ ;