TUAPEKA RAILWAY AND WATER SUPPLY COMMITTEE.

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 160, 2 March 1871, Page 5

TUAPEKA RAILWAY AND WATER SUPPLY COMMITTEE.

A well attended meetiug of this Committee was held in the Commercial Hotel on Friday last, to confer with C. E. Haughton, Esq., on the subject of his mission to Tuapeka, and render him what assistance was in their power to enable him to report upon the best means t<"> be adopted on the Tuapeka goldfield to increase the water supply for mining purposes. H. Bastings, Esq., occupied the chair, and, in opening tho meeting, stated that they had now amongst them Mr. Haughton, a gentleman who had been appointed by the Provincial Government to visit the Otago goldfields to obtain evidence as to the requirements of the various districts. There were gentlemen present who could give valuable information of the wants of the Tuapeka and Waitahuna districts ; and he hoped Mr. Haughton's visit would be conducive of some good. He believed there was no expenditure which would prove so reproductive as a water scheme — indeed of all other subjects he considered it the first that should engage their attention. Mr. Haughton then read an extract from his letter of instructions, and said that he did not receive the appointment till late in December, and as the elections were then close at hand, he thought it advisable to wait till they were over before commencing the work, as it might otherwise have been said that he had a political object in view. He had framed a series of questions to elicit information, as it was quite impossible for him to get up a report himself without the assistance of the miners. The first question he thought for the meeting to decide was whether in their opinion it is good policy to subsidise water supply at all ?

After some desul ory conversation on this point,

Mr. Herbert asked what the intentions of the Government were with regard to existing rights.

Mr. Ilaughton said that question was for the Provincial Council to decide, but in whatever way the work might be carried out, it would not interfere with these rights, which clearly must be protected.

A resolution was then drawn up as follows :- " That this meeting is of opinion that advantage should be taken of the Immigration and Public Works Act, 1870, in order to promote the interest and increase the number of European miners."

Mr. Hay moved the resolution, and Mr. Cormack seconded.

Mr. Morrison said he was decidedly opposed to the motion in present form, as there was nothing in it to show that vested rights would be adhered to.

The words "provided always that protection be secured for existing rights," were added to the motion.

Mr. Haughton said he would give the Government a very strong opinion on that matter.

The Chairman put the motion, which was carried unanimously. Mr. Mouat said it was impossible, with the amount set apart by the Public Works Act, that the Government could compensate the present raceholders ; and he therefore thought it was the business of the committee to consider those places where the water was now running to waste and give them a supply.

Mr. Cormack thought there was very little probability of getting any more water to bring on tho Blue Spur.

Mr. Morrison thought it advisable to come td some understanding as to which parts of the district were most in want of

water. He would move that the district lying between Lawrence and Tuapeka l^outh be included in those places recommended by the committee that should 'be supplied with water. lie would also include Waitahuna.

Mr. Dewes said, with respect to the requirements of Waitahuna, the want of a .vater supply there was very general, rteing a practical miner himself, he could speak from experience. There were many auriferous spurs at Waitahuna which only required water to make them pay well. Four years ago, the Government went to the expense of a survey, which, he believed, cost about LSOO, but as it was found that it would take the large sum of L3OOO to bring in the race, the work was never gone on with. The water was there still, and the ground was also there.

Mr Simpson, Warden, referred to the highly auriferous spurs in the neighbourhood of Mr. Coombe's workings, and showed the advantage of a scheme which would command them.

Mr. Morrison then moved, " That it is desirable in the event of the Government introducing water into this district, the same should be brought on to that land abutting on each side of the Tuapeka river down to the Clutha, and to the terraces and flats around Waitalmna, and the recently developed spurs from the Round Hill to Glenore." — Carried. Mr. Dewes seconded. Mr. Morrison said, with reference to question 7, he thought the Committee should discuss it — the Government, as it will be seen by the question, are asking what is to be done with the water races when they are once constructed. The question is as follows :—": — " Should it be decided upon undertaking the construction of the works indicated, are you of opinion that, when completed, they should remain in the hauds of the Government ; the water being let at a minimum price per head to cover maintenance and expenses ; or can you suggest any other practicable arrangement ?"

Mr. Mouat thought it was not desirable these works should remain in the hands of the Government. He considered the best plan was to sell them and construct other works with the proceeds. Ho would move the following resolution :—: — " That this Committee is of opinion, with reference to question 7, that the Government should endeavour — where practicable—to sell, lease, or otherwises dispose of, subject to such conditions as would insure the supply of water at a moderate cost, any water works that may be constructed, and that the proceeds should be employed in the construction of additional works." Mr. Morrison seconded. — Carried. A list of names of miners and others, whose evidence the Committee considered advisable to obtain, was than made out. Evidence to be taken in the Courthouse, on Friday, the 28th Eebruary. A vote of thanks to the Chairman closed the proceedings.