WATER SUPPLY.

Tuapeka Times, Volume V, Issue 222, 2 May 1872, Page 8

WATER SUPPLY.

(To the Editor. >.

Sir, — In view of the changes that are certainly taking place in the legislation affecting the Goldfields, and more particularly water rights, allow me to draw public attention to what is fast becoming a very prominent evil. Thecommon belief at present is that anybody can demand that two heads of water should flow down the natural channel of a creek, if required, without previously taking any trouble whatever to secure what may be an easily available supply from other sources. Now, where miners construct races in the neighbourhood of established centres, where such a demand is likely to be made, of course they do so with their eyes open, and cannot complain if, in dry seasons like the present, they are forced to turn all the water down the natural channel of the creek, that is if no other source of supply is available. What I want to. draw attention to is this — a by no means uncommon occurrence — a water race is constructed at great expense and labour, or say acquired by- a party . of miners for a good round siim. I will suppose that that they are successful, and that almost entirely on account of that success a small township springs up in their neighbourhood. The inhabitants suddenly find that they require, for domestic purposes, possibly all the water the creek contains. At first sight, on reading the Goldfields Act, it would appear as if they had only to demand this right to immediately acquire it. That this is not the case has been abundantly proved by a recent decision ; but whajb f complain- of, and would especially draw attention to, is the great injustice that would be caused to individuals, if this ]si,w t relating to> t,hs-

diversion of two heads for domestic and .other" purposes, is enforced without providing that adequate compensation be given to those who, in good faith, construct water races, never anticipatingthat such a demand would arise. I hear that new Goldfields Regulations are about to be made, and I think the time opportune for suggesting what I consider to be a just and equitable addition to the law as at present administered, viz., the admission of the principle of compensation for the cancellation of private rights. If something definite in this direction is not done shortly, much trouble and annoyance will be caused both to the miners and the residents in the various little diggings' townships. M. R. April 23rd, 1872.