WATER SUPPLY ON GOLDFIEDS

Tuapeka Times, Volume II, Issue 72, 26 June 1869, Page 2

WATER SUPPLY ON GOLDFIEDS

(Compiled from "Hansard.")

In the Asembly, on the 9th instant, Mr. "W. H. Harrison (Westland) moved, "That a select committee be appointed to consider the question of affording the encouragement of the Government, either by loan, guarantee, or otherwise, to the construction of permanent works for the supply of water on tb.A G-oldfields of the colony ; such committee to have power to call for persons and papers ; the committee to consist of Messrs. Haughton (Hampden), Barff (Westland), Stevens (Selwyue), Bradshaw (G-oldfields), Gallagher ("Westland), Kenny _ (Picton), Curtis (Nelson), and Mover ; three to form a quorum ; to report in a month." Mr. Harrison referred to the promise made in the Governor's speech in 1867, which had never been fulfilled, and dilated on the importance of the ques-i tion. Mr. Macandrew (Clutha) seconded the motion. He did not know that any better subject for legislation could be brought under the consideration of the House. ' " Major Heaphy,Y.O. (Parnell), while appreciating the importance of the motion, complained that no Auckland members were on the committee. The necessity for water on the Thames goldfield was as great as elsewhere. Mr. Barff hoped no opposition would be offered. He instanced the action of the Westland County Council in reference to the matter. A series of resolutions had been adopted by that body guaranteeing a portion of the outlay on such schemes, provided that the applicants were registered undep the Limited Liabilities Company Act j that the capital was not less than £10,000; and that no race should, carry less than thirty heads of water. Applications for the guarantee were already gazetted, and he had no doubt the result would astonish every one ia, the colony. The dividend for the first year of one race was calculated at £28,000 to £30,000, the capital in,

vested being £14,000, or a return of 200 per cent ! Mr. Williamson (Auckland City) endorsed the complaint of the hon. member for Parnell. He referred to Mr. O'Neill (Otago Goldfields) who was now engaged in constructing pub•lcworks at the Thames, as a proper person to be on the committee. Mr. Creighton endorsed the statements of the preceeding speaker. Mr. O'Neill .might be regarded as an Auckland member. Mr. Harrison apologised for the omission of Northern members, and withdrew his motion. June 10th, 1869. Mr. Harrison moved his resolution for a committee, with tie addition of the names of Messrs. O'Neill (Goldfields), and Swan (Franklin). Mr. Williamson thought the names of Major Heaphy and Mr. Creighton should be added. Mr. Creighton complained of the composition of the committee. Mfr. Stafford said that some hon. members appeared to think that no goldfield existed in New Zealand until the Thames goldfield was discovered. He found that with one, perhaps two, exceptions, every member of the proposed committee was connected with the Goldfields. Mr. Dillon Bell (Mataura) regretted the motion had been brought forward then, as he could not conceive it having any practical result. He went on to state that there were no funds available for such a purpose, and there was no special reason why the goldfields should be more favoured than any other districts in the colony. Mr. Eeynolds (Dunedin) thought the appointment of the committee might be the very best means of settling a very large population in the colony. If, by giving a guarantee, or hj any .other means, they could secure J a large population, it would result in an increase not a loss of revenue. He supported the motion. Mr. Macfarlane (Northern Division) in reference to the remark of Mr. Stafford on the supposed importance of the Thames Goldfield, begged to state that in regard to this question, that goldfields had a larger interest t&an any in the colony. j Mr. Main (Fort Chalmers) denied ] this statement. He said that in the ! district he lived there were over 100 ] miles of races all formed by individual enterprise. He instanced Victoria as proof of the advantages of government assistance, and the benefit conferred by an increased yield of gold on the whole community. After a good deal more discussion between the Westland and Auckland, representatives, the motion was agreed to.