TUAPEKA WATER SUPPLY.

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 161, 9 March 1871, Page 4

TUAPEKA WATER SUPPLY.

Notes of evidence taken before C. jE7. Saughton, Esq., Provincial Government Go-mmissio?ier, at the Courthouse, Lawrence, on Friday, February 28,

1871. All ,the evidence taken was in answer to the following questions, drawn up by the Commissioner. These questions

appeared in our last issue, but for the sake of clearness we re-print them : — I, — What is the principal character of the mining in the portion of the district in you reside ?

II. — Is the Supply of "Water from existing sources sufficient to meet the requirements of the miners ? 111. — Will you state whether there exists in your neighbourhood payable auriferous land aot commanded by the present Water Supply ; and if so, give an approximate idea of the area ? IV.— Is the Water Supply derived from artifici.il sources, in the hands of men mining their own ground, or is it, or any part of it, held asr a separate property, and let to tho miners ? and, if so, at what price per regulation head ? V. — Granted that there exists such auriferous land, do you know of any source or sources from which water could be obtained to command it. If so, state locality or localities ; and, approximately, distance or distances ; quantity of water available ; and nature of the country with regard to probable cost of construction of the race or races. Vl.— Having read Sections XXVI., XXVII. , and XXVIII, of the Immigration and Public Works Act, 1870, do you think the proposed system of subsidising the Water .Supply of the Goldfields is one likely to promote the interests, and consequently increase the number of European miners ? VII. - Should it be decided upon undertaking the construction of the works indicated, are you of opinion that, when completed, they should remain in the hands of the Government ; the water being let at a minimum price per head to cover maintenance and expenses ? or can you suggest an other piacticable arrangement? VIII. — In districts where labour is scarce and dear, would it be piacticable to obtain the assistance of the miners themselves in the construction of the works, the men employed receiving sustenance money, and taking out the balance of their full wages in water ?

Joseph Kendal, a race owner, Blue Spur. (11.) — The supply of water at present is sufficient for the requirements of the Blue Spur, if there was a large reservoir constructed for storeage. The Tuapeka Basin would answer the purpose. My reason for stating the supply is sufficient is that for six months in the year a third of the water from the two large races — Morrison's and the Waipori — is allowed to go to wasta. (111. and V.) — Believe the spurs running into the Tuapeka are payably auriferous, and could be commanded by water from the Beaumont and other creeks in that watershed. The minimum quantity available in the driest weather would be about four heads, and tlie cost of construction of the race would be £60 a mile to carry six heads, and the length would be 23 miles to the Tuapeka Basin. (VI.) — 1 believe in the Government subsidising water supply. (VII.) — I think the Government should lot out the water-works, when constructed, in a similar manner to toll-gates. The minimum price might be £1 Bs. per head per week. This is half the present current rate. I presume the Government would have to buy out existing rights, in any case where the constructor of Government works would interfere with present interests I believe it would be practicable if the Government paid the current rate of wages. Our company made such an arrangement when thoy started the Waipori .Race, and had no difficulty in obtaining labour.

Thomas Smith, a miiiar at Tuapeka Mouth. (T.)— Ground sluicing. (II.) — The supply of waLur is not buQioiont (111.) — J?he races in course of construction would command the available land at Tuapeka Mouth, and along thj Molyneux to the Crookburn. There is payable auriferous laud upon both sides of the Tuapeka to an extent of some 1G miles. This is not commanded by the present supply, or hy the races indicated. (IV. — The prosent water supply is held by men mining their own ground, s.nne of whom let a portion of their water. The price is £3 per week per head. (V.) — The Beaumont, and the creoks in that direction, would command this ground and the Tuapeka Basin. The cost of construction of races over this country would be from £40 to £50 a. mile. (VI.) 1 decidedly approve of the Government subsidising water supply. Tt is beyond the power of private means to incur the large expenditure required, as the water from the more accessible sources is taken up. The supply which is available by private means is insignificant in quantity. (VII.) — I think the works, when constructed, should remain in the hands of the Government in order that the miners may get the water as cheaply as possible. Tlie water should be let at a minimum price per head, to cover maintenance and expenses. I should say 4s a day for a regulation head. (VIII.) — I believe it is jjracticable. I have carried out such an arrangement myself, at the Dunstan Creek, in the construction of the Enterprise race. About 80 miners are working at Tuapeka Mouth, and within four miles. A good deal of the ground is prospected, it is not payable without sluicing water. The want of water is the reason for the small population. The new races will not afford sufficient supply. There is a sufficient supply from these sources if dams were constructed and the races made larger. I have known men idle five months during the summer for want of water. John M'lntyre, miner, at Tuapeka Mouth. 1 have read Mr. T. Smith's evidence and concur in it. (VIII.) — We have had men when we were constructing our race working upon the terms indicated. They took all their wages out in water. There were six men. It is a common arrangement in our district.

James Harris, storekeeper, Lawrence. (111.) — The spurs on each side the Tuapeka river, from Evans Flat to the Tuapeka Mouth, are not commanded by the present water supply, and are payably auriferous. (V.) — The Little Beaumont and the creeks in that direction would command all these spurs. The race would be about 40 miles. About 20 heads of water are available from the Beaumont creeks ; but a large quantity might be collected by a system of reservoirs. The water might be brought iuto the Tuapeka Basin for storage. The Tuapeka Basin commands the auriferous country to which I have referred. It would be a great benefit if water were brought into the Tuapeka basin for storage alone, and made available for private enterprise to spread it over the country. There was a company projected at one time to bring in water from the Little Beaumont to the country indicated, and the estimate of cost of construction of race was L4O a mile. (VI.) — I approve of the Government subsidising water supply. The expense is beyond the means of private enterprise. The advantage in the locality indicated by me would be great and immediate. (VII.) — I think the works should remain in the hands of the Government, in order that the water maybe

let at as low a figure as possible. (VIII.) Tt is practicable ; in fact, the miners in this district have offeied to do so in the case of the projected race from the Beaumont creek. The miners in somecases have been idle nine months f° r 'BßM of water. They are unable to wash itpabout four mon tli s every year. This year has been exceptionally dry. Several of the claims T*ould pay L 9 to Ll2 per week with water. I know of men paying aLI a day for water at washing-up time. Alexander George Thomson, miner, at Blue' Spur, one of the Nelson Co. Our company own a small race, but we also require to buy water. (IT.) — The supply is not sufficient to meet the requirements of the Blue Spur miners. (HE.) — There is a considerable area of auriferous land beyond the Spur to the south both of Gabriels, Munroes, and down the Tuapeka, which is commanded by the present supply, but all the available water is used on the Spur itself. (V.) — I believe the water which might be collected in the Tuapeka basin from the Lammerlaw range would be available for the Blue Spur and the localities named. (VI.) —I approve of the Government subsidising the water supply, for the benefit of tha miners and the opening up of fresh country. O f IT.) — The Government should keep the works, for a certain time at all events, in their own hands, and then might let them, having ascertained the expense of maintenance, &c. The water might be let at about half the current price, LI Bs. 3d. per head per week. (VIII.) — I believe it practicable, and think the miners would so assist. The shareholders would probably allow one or two from each claim to take up the work. The very heavy price paid for water at present, is impoverishing the claims very mnch.