WATER SUPPLY.

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 161, 9 March 1871, Page 6

WATER SUPPLY.

(To the Editor)

Sib, — I am led to ask for sufficient apace in your columns for a few remarks on this great question of water supply for the Blue Spur, so that, should the Financial Scheme of the Colonial Parliament be put in operation, we may secure to ourselves that amount of consideration to which we are justly entitled. The great obstacle to districts seems to be vested rights ; and with regard to those rights on the Blue Spur, I would propose to the miners there, that for the sake of securing an adequate supply of water, some arrangement should be come to between the water-right holders aud the claim holders, and as there are only a few water-right holders who are not interested in claims on the Blue Spur, some just settlement seems not impossible. The mode I would propose for disposing of this question would be the amalgamation of all water-lights on some equitable basis into one common company, the shareholders to consist of the different claims on the Blue Spur. That done, would secure a common interest, equal rights, and co-operation in as far as water supply is concerned ; and further, would make us unanimous in demanding from the Government a fair share of the loan to supply our waut for all time to come, without injury to anyone. From the evidence already taken, water on the Blue Spur is both insufficient and ruinously dear.

The vested rights once cleared off, I believe the Government would then be easily induced to supplement our present supply by constructing either Mr. Beuton's Beaumont race, or Mr. Millar's reservoir in the Tuapeka Basin, both of which works are already surveyed, and known to be practical schemes for supplying the necessary water to this district. And with water at a nominal price, and an unlimited supply, the benefits to be derived would be incalculable aud permanent.

Believing that the Government will never be induced to buy up the waterraces on the Blue Spur, on account of tt-e Large amount of capital which it would take, I unhesitatingly recommend the fcregoing to the serious consideration of tho mining interest on the Blue Spur, and solicit their further discussion of the subject. I feel more confident of souie such scheme bringing about a solution of the present difficulty, knowing, as I do, the amount required for management and maintenance of the present water companies, which, if amalgamated, might be very much reduced, and upon the good feeling likely to arise therefrom.

I refrain from entering into details, deeming it sufficient to indicate, in the first instance, how a solution of the difficulty may be attained with justice to all.

I hope, Mr. Editor, the importance of this subject is such as to induce you to open your columns for its discussion. — I am, &c\,

W. D. Morrison Lawrence, March Ist, 1871.