Tuapeka Times. AND GOLDFIELDS REPORTER & ADVERTISER. THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 1872. "MEASURES, NOT MEN."

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 210, 8 February 1872, Page 4

Tuapeka Times. AND GOLDFIELDS REPORTER & ADVERTISER. THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 1872. " MEASURES, NOT MEN."

The General Government have displayed creditable diligence in giving effect to that portion of the Public Works and Immigration Act relating to the granting of subsidies for the purpose of increasing water supply on the Goldfields. As our readers are aware, Mr. C. E. Haughton has been appointed Tinder-Secretary of Public Works for the Goldfields. His duties will we presume consist principally in administering the sun^ voted for subsidising works for the supply of water, as we know of no other public works authorised to be undertaken on the goldfields. Regulations prescribing the mode of making applications for advances of money, and the conditions under which such applications will be entertained, have been framed by the Minister for Public Works, and published in the General Government "Gazette" arid goldfield's newspapers. Through the latter medium, it is also intimated that "companies or persons desirous of obtaining subsidies can obtain all information at the various Warden's offices." The regulations framed in a fair and liberal spirit, and are not hampered with a superabundance of red tape. True, there are a 'certain number of forma to be gone throqgh, bu^t scarcely more than would be required in any ordinary business transaction. • Advances will be made to parties whose applications are apprqved of to the extent of one-third o.f the estimated cost of the works they intendto construct. The rate of interest proposed to, be charged upon these advances — 7 per cent, per annumis exceedingly favourable to borrowers, and no. fault can be found with the manner loans? {ire to be repaid, via, out of the profits of the undertaking in the same proportion as the money advanced by the Government bears to the paid up capital. The Government secures itself against loss by taking, a \\en or mortgage over the works or property proposed to be constructed. A depasitpf two m\d a half per cent.* - on tl\e amount proposed to bo bor- •"" rowed js l'eOjUJved.ta be made with ~ the application for- a loan, saicj deposit, less the cost of inquiiy, to, be returned on the application. beijq«

*frnaJiy decided upon. There are *nany other points in the regulations which, however,, it is unneces&uy to -touch upon, as all information is easily accessible. Considering the many and great difficulties which encompass the initiation of a new project of such magnitude, those who were entrusted with .the task .of framing the regulations h.ave acquitted themselves well. No doubt, as experience is gained, many faults will -be -discovered in them, and . they will have to be modified, but . as they ace, if taken advantage of and administered in the spirit in which they appear to have been conceived, great good ,&mnot fail to result to the goldfields, and through them to the colony at large. The Beaumont and Tuapeka Race Company have the honour of being the first applicants for a subsidy. They have applied for.. £'2000 to assist them to carry out their enterprise, which is admitted on all hands to be a safe one, and one that will yield, considerable profits. Should ihe application, and there is every .reason to believe it* will, be acceded ,to, it will have the effect of placing *them in a position to finish the race in six months, instead of two years, as originally intended. The advantage thus gained by the company and the mining public is too palpable to require explanation. We recommend all who have started ■or intend to start watersupplyenterprises, and who require subsidies, ,to lose no time in making their applications. The sum available — £300,000 — seems a large one, but when it is divided amongst the various goldfields of both islands, there will not be a very large amount for each. Those who are first in the field will in this matter, as in .every ether, have the best chance, | And those who are dilatory will in all probability find .themselves "left ,o\it in the cold." ~

"Tenders have at last been invited for .making the alterations necessary i £.0 gender the Lawrence Court* House suitable for folding sittings oi' the Supreme Court. We presume the "Provincial # Government is in earnest in this matier, and that the work will .be commenced without the slightest delay. Witli the Provincial Executive rests the onus <of expediting or delaying the /establishment of a Circuit Court in Lawrence, as the General Goyernjnent has promised that it will gaiise sittings of such Circuit Court to be held immediately the reqijisite accomjnodation is provided by the provincial authorities. The expediency ,of holding sittings of the Supreme ■Court at- Lawrence can be easily.demonstrated. The loss and inconvenience those residing in the districts, of which Lawrence would be the -assize town, who become involved in Supreme Court lawsuits, suffer by being compelled to ' leave jtheir business, and • proceed to J)unedin is something enormous every year, and would nearly all be .obviated by the establishment of the proposed Circuit Court. The* Provincial Government would also largely benefit thereby. Statistics Avill show that the amount that .could be saved by trying criminal .cases from several districts at Lawrence, instead of sending them to Dunedin, would be something worth considering — especially in these days of Provincial poverty. The amount saved in one year would amply suffice to coyer .any outlay that might be necessary to establish a Circuit Court in Lawrence. The advantages that would. accrue to. Lawrence from the establishment of that court are too obvious-to require pointing out.