The Tuapeka Times. THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 1871. "Measures, not Men."

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 162, 16 March 1871, Page 4

The Tuapeka Times. THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 1871. "Measures, not Men."

The objection most frequently urged to the Water Scheme of the Government is that so large an expense will be incurred in commissions, reports, surveys, and other preliminary proceedings, as to leave comparatively little for the actual work to be done. The objection is a valid one. Work undertaken by Government or by large companies, as a rule, cost more than when effected by one, or a few individuals. But though the objection has some force, still, it need not be feared that the enormous expenses incurred in the early days of the goldfields, for professional work in connection with public works, must necessarily again be incurred. Then the survey staff, and every branch of the public service, was wholly unable to cope with the sudden increase of labour which devolved upon them from the discovery of the goldfields and the extraordinary accession to the population. Now an experienced survey staff exists, not new to their duties, and certainly not overburdened with work. Their number indeed is not so great as of late years ; but, as it may be presumed that the services of the least competent were dispensed with, the reduction has probably little impaired the efficiency of the staff. It is probable that all the surveys necessary for the water supply of tho Goldfields

can be done by them, in most districts, in addition to their present duties. But, in some instances, all the preliminary work has already been performed. We may instance Waitahuna as a case in point. There the Government, more than seven years ago, surveyed a race from the Waitahuna river. The estimated cost, as stated by Mr. Dewes the other day at Lawrence, was £3000. For some reason — some local jealousy, we believe — the race was not proceeded with, though the survey was completed. The survey is still available, and the water intended to be brought in still unappropriated. Ten heads of water, which if diverted, would have by this time produced at least £100,000, have been uselessly running to waste. The estimated expense of this race was, seven years ago, £3000. Labour was then 12s. a day, and it was difficult sometimes to get men even at *hat rate. Now any number can be obtained at Bs. a day ; and now, when water is scarce, for work of this kind, we believe at even less. But taking the wages at Bs., the reduction would be equivalent to a reduction of one third in tLn cost of the race. If the former estimate was correct, the race could now be constructed for £2000. If the scheme is proceeded with, and that sum allocated to Waitahuna, there is nothing to prevent the Government from at once calling for tenders for the cutting of the race, without any preliminary expenses whatever, saving for advertising the contracts. Now for the return for the capital proposed to be invested. We have heard the loss to the miners in Waitahuna, as compared with their winter receipts, from the drought during the last sixteen weeks, estimated by several of themselves from £120 to £150 per week. Both estimates we believe to be under the mark. Taking, however, the lowest during the time specified, it wonlrl amount to £1920 — nearly the cosl of the proposed race ; and this is without taking into account the greater amount of work the miner would be able to do in the long summer days than in the short days and broken weather of winter, if the supply of water in each case was the same. But it is not in summer alone that Waitahuna suffers from scarcity of water ; all the year round there is an insufficieucj 7 " of it. On an average the supply brought into the diggings there (not reckoning Havelock Flat) is only about four heads, and this is totally inadequate for the number of miners. Ancl this supply, limited as to quantity, is still more limited as to locality. As a rule it is only available for the flat, and for those parts of it which have already been two or three times turned over. If twenty heads of water were introduced, at a level so as to command the spurs at present accessible only to the fossicker, it would be safe to calculate that the gold produced would be doubled, and that each man. who now earns £2, would earn £4) per week. We have no space to show that the increased revenue from the gold duty, and from the greater consumption of taxed commodities, would yield the Government a handsome profit on the sum invested, even though the water would be given free of charge to the miner. Though we have instanced Waitahuna, we believe there are many other districts where water works could be at once commenced at little preliminary cost, and with a sure prospect of a large immediate return.

It is astonishing the indifference displayed by many intelligent persons when, time after time, the press calls upon them to avail themselves of the franchise, and become privileged to appoint their own lawmakers. The tune has again arrived when it is our duty to appeal to those who feel the slightest interest in the affairs of the country to lose no time in having their names placed on the Electoral Roll; and let us hope that the reprehensible apathy of the past will be redeemed by an avidity in the present. The last day on which claimants will have an opportunity of registering is the 31st of this month, so that no time should be lost in so doing; and the process is so simple that nothing can excuse the criminal negligence that is too often displayed towards one of the greatest privileges we enjoy. The claimant fills up a registration form, which speaks plainly for itself, after which he signs it in the presence of a justice of the peace, registration officer, or qualified elector. His declaration being found true, he is placed on the roll. Every owner of a dwellinghouse or land of the value of £5 per annum, is entitled to vote for the election of members of the General

Assembly and Provincial Council, provided he registers his claim. A miner's right which has had a currency of six months before the day of election, entitles the holder to vote on the election of members of the House of Representatives and Provincial Council in any district within the goldh'elds of the province in which the right is issued, provided he is not otherwise a qualified and registered voter.