THURSDAY, MARCH 2, 1871. "Measures, not Men."

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 160, 2 March 1871, Page 4

The Tuapeka Times. THURSDAY, MARCH 2, 1871. "Measures, not Men."

The question, of a water supply for the Tuapeka Goldfields has been revived by the visit of Mr. Haughton, the Commissioner appointed by the Provincial Government to collect such evidence on the Otago Goldfields as he considers likely to prove useful to the Council, a.nd be a guide to them in their recommendations to the General Government. This unusually dry season has brought the subject forcibly before the mining population, and has demonstrated more powerfully than any argument, the absolute necessity for an increased water supply. 7 e

have at present the claims at the Blue Spur on less than half time, those on the Tuapeka river all but at a stand still, and those at Waitahuna in a similar position. Mr. Haughton's visit is therefore very opportune, and we trust such evidence will be placed before that gentleman as will enable him to make a favourable report to the Government of some practical scheme for the benefit of these localities. We are aware that the subject is one surrounded with difficulties, from the fact that private enterprise has already woven a network of water races in the district, involving vested rights of vast magnitude. An idea of the extent of these rights will be better conceived when we mention that the proceeds from the sale of water on the Blue Spur alone amounts to very little short of £10,000 a year. The difficulties in the way of carrying out any Government scheme are therefore very apparent. Whatever may be done, every care must be taken to prevent the Government coming into competition with private individuals. Had the appropriation of the loan for water supply been adequate to the wants of the colony — had three millions instead of three hundred thousand pounds been set apart for this grand object — the Government would have been placed in a position to purchase all the vested rights, and to construct reservoirs, races, and sludge channels, and thus extend the supply and reduce the present exorbitant price paid for water. By this means they would have developed the Goldfields to their fullest extent, made the present inhabitants of the country prosperous, and induced a large influx of population to our shoi % es. But with the tenth part of three millions for the whole colony, very little good can be done. All that Tuapeka and Waitahuna may expect of the three hundred thousand pounds will be not more than twenty or tliirt} 7 thousand pounds. With that paltry sum it would be absurd to think of purchasing any of the present rights ; still, some good might be accomplished with it in those parts of the district where vested interests do not exi^'o, o;- only exist to a very limited extent. A race from the Beaumont river to bear upon the auriferous banks of the Tuapeka, together with two or three other similar works in the district, might be constructed without interfering with private rights, and would prove a lasting benefit to the Tuapeka Goldfield. We need hardly say that it is the duty of the Tuapeka district to take advantage of the water scheme, however insignificant its share of that scheme may be. One thing is certain, if Tuapeka does not avail itself of the scheme, other districts assuredly will, and we shall have the mortification of having to pay our share without receiving any of the bene-

tits. If the members of the new Parliament would only unite and have the Financial Scheme so radically altered, that three or four millions could be devoted to water supply, &c, for the Goldfields — the only reproductive works included in Immigration and Public Works Act — then we might hope for some real good being accomplished by the scheme. If the Assembly would direct its attention more to public reproductive works of that description, and leave immigration to manage itself, it would be better for the country. Make the country, we sa3>-, worth coming to, and people will find their way to it in abundance, without any Government assistance. While we believe in making a large demand, in the hope of obtaining a just share of the water supply appropriation, it is to be hoped that the Commissioner now amongst us, seeing our wants to be so much greater than the paltry scheme will warrant us in having supplied, will not recommend to the Government works of such magnitude in the district as will prov^e a barrier to our getting anything — a probability not at all unlikely, e.g., the Tuapeka basin reservoir, which, like many other great works, is only to be found on the survey map. In conclusion, we trust the practical and intelligent miners of the district will supply Mr. Haughton with answers to the questions in our last issue, and with any suggestions likely to assist that gentleman in making a correct report of the requirements of the district.

The Superintendency election is over, and Mr. Macandrew is returned by a small majorit}'- over his opponent, Mr. Reid, in whose cause we engaged pretty hotly from conscientious conviction that, of the two candidates he was best titted for the office. For a long time past we have unhesitatingly opposed Mr. Macandrew's policy, and when the time came for the electors again to

choose a Superintendent, we did our utmost to prevent his return. Our reasons for this coureg have been from time to time b<£plainly giver* utterance to, that it is unnecessary to recapitulate them, and as it is with the future that we now have to deal, we purpose in this article to address ourselves to the cosideration of how a fresh start should be made under the existing circumstances. We think it a pity that Mr. Macandrew should have given utterance to the very uncalled for remark that his return was a triumph over ignorance, and so on, for two reasons — firstly, because it is utterly untrue; and secondly, because the remark is evidence of extreme bad taste ; bordering indeed upon vulgarity. We are, however, willing to pass it by with the hope that it was uttered in the heat of success, and that it would not have been expressed, or even conceived, in cooler moments.

Now, as to the future. Accepting Mr. Macandrew as our Superintendent, as we are bound to do, two things have to be done in order to secure prosperity. All past electioneering animosity must be forgotten by both sides — really and practically, and both sides must work together harmoniously, and with a will, in order to devise and carry out proper and efficient schemes for the good government and advancement of the Province.

It is of no use for the defeated side to say "we cannot work with Mr. Macandrew," let them ! rather accept the maxim in all its truthfulness " Where there's a will there's a way,'' and determine that they will work with Mr. Macandrew, and that he shall work with them. We have the experience of the past to guide vs — we know just what the Superintendent's proclivities are, and what he is likely to do — and we are sure that if suitable choice is made in the men returned to the Provincial Council, Mr. Macandrew may be compelled with very little difficulty to adopt the right course, for after all, his powers are not so very great, they can be directed, controlled, and modelled, by the Council to a very large extent. ]f the lighting for office which takes place every session was curtailed, and if members would stud)' our motto " Measures not men," and learn the lesson which it teaches — much good would result. The first work in which the Council sho^^^ engage, should be to secure as W^ Superintendent's advisers men of business habits and apitudes — men possessed of progressive ideas, whose opinions are opposed to any and all absolute class legislation — men who will, while endeavouring to do justice to all — and injustice to none — each keep before them the substantial good of the many in preference to the aggrandisement of the few. Such men are to be found amongst those usually returned to j the Council, and when once they are selected and placed on the Government benches, there they should be maintained, and as long as they do their work fairly — they should not be exposed to the risk of being turned out upon every absurd quibble which may be raised against them by members who too often are possessed of more ambition than they have mental power to use. For another reason also this line of conduct should be carried out. Statesmen, like other people require to learn their calling, and with them experience is as valuable as capital is to a merchant — or as drill to a soldeir. A man who has been in office for years, or even for a short time, if possessed of energy and common sense, is better fitted, as a rule, to till the post than the man who has not held the reins ; and as long as the members who are sent to the Government benches acquit -themselves with anything like ability, and, using such endeavour honestly to perform their duty, they should be maintained in their position in order that the country may reap the benefit of their experience. So far as Mr. Macandrew is concerned we have considerable hope, (if not confidence) that he will have learned a lesson by the past. Within the last three months he has been told pretty plainly what his shortcomings are ; and what a very respectable number of those who voted for him fouryears ago think of his proceedings during that period. If he will be wise he will ponder over all this ; not in ill temper, but in the sober belief that he has heard from many of his late opponents, the plain unvarnished truth. He has not done his best for Otago during the last four years, and he must know it. He has not struggled for even the rights-^let alone the indirect interests of the masses, as he promised he would. He has not endeavoured to populate with men and women instead of sheep, which was his war cry in 1867?

He has not given to those who would have remained here, had he kepijjp word, the only inducement they^franted— land ; and he has broken faith with those who were already settled, by withholding from them the commonage which it was distinctly understood they were to have as soon as he was Superintendent. M ost of these things he might have effected had he tried, but he did not even do that. In the flood of correspondence which has inundated the newspapers during the recent contest, a great deal has been written relative to the respective abilities and education of the candidates. Without troubling ourselves to sum up the evidence (if such it may be called), we may truthfully say this for Mr. Macandrew, he has plenty of ability and sufficient erudition to do for this Provinceallthatin reason may be demanded of him, and if he brings to bear the will and the determination to use his ability in the pursuance of the right course, at the end of the term of office the electors will have no cause to regret their choice. Mr. JVlacandrew has now another four years chance. He may nobly retrieve if he will. We believe he will have a Council that will help him, if he will help it. Will he do this ? We hope so, and with that hope we now bid him in all sincerity God speed!