THE GOLDEN POINT WATER RACE CO. (REGISTERED), WAIPORI.

Tuapeka Times, Volume V, Issue 247, 24 October 1872, Page 7

THE GOLDEN POINT WATER RACE CO. (REGISTERED), WAIPORI.

(To the Editor.)

Sic, — A notice appeared in your issue of the 26t!i September from the manager of the ab >vo named Company, referring parties "willing to Co-operate with him in the construction of the said race to Mr. D. Wilson, Waipori, for particulars. On application to, that gentleman, I was shown the conditions. Had the G.P.W.R.C. stated they wanted the race constructed for nothing, they would have been as likely to get it done as on the terms they offer, for more illiberal and onesided terms I never saw or heard of. Mr. Wilson, the Company's agent, objected to me taking a copy of them, stating that. he had received instructions from Mr. Sqairt'B not to allow them to?-be copied, ami ho wonder. If the promoters of the, &.P.W.R.C, thought they had such a v^ry " good thing," they would have commenced operations before this, without giving the Waipori people a chance to " participate "^in the. undertaking. Such - generosity on the part of the Company, I believe, is' estimated at its proper worth. For the information of thosa *• that have not seen or heard of -the conditions, l send you a few- particulars. The Company will supply- contractors provisions to the amount of 15a. per man per week— -wimfc liberality on tho part o&fche Compmy. They will also supply them with 1 powder. and tools at current rates; but they will not let leas' tbaa 5 tnilos in onA SMctwn, to be constructed to tho. satisfaction, of tUe , Sr

Company's overseer. So._ any- one taking a contract and being unable to finish it at contract price will only just; get his tucker — bo much gain for the Company. Then again, * ( and there's then-üb," the Company's overseer is to have £2 10s. per week -salary. . What for, I should like to know ? and does he expect that amount from each party that may take a contract. If so, he evidently thinks no»small beer of himeelf, and* the Company ought to consider themselves fortunate in having obtained tlte services of such a highly efficient manager. ' What a pity for the Company's overseer that the Goldfields bill introduced by the late Government did not become law. He might then have got a billet as inspector. I would recommend him to apply to Mossre. Brogden for a situation, where he would have ample scope for his abilities. But to return to the subject. When the contract is finished, supposing any ona is foolish enough to take one on those terms, after deducting manager's salary, provisions, powder, tools, etc., I believe the contractor, is to receive half the amount due to him, if any, in money, though I am not sure on this, point ; and the remainder is to be paid in water when the race is finished — whenever that may be — at the rate of &\ per week for one sluice, head, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Now, if thd manager of the G.P.W.R.C.. knew anything of the ground in this district, he would know- that it cannot be worked with loss thajj 3 sluice heads for 2 men, —that is ground sluicing ; ! and I don't think— and 1 speak as being long resident in the district, and having prospected a great deal of the ground about here — that any two men could afford to give that amount for water, Besides, there is another race in the course of construction, and though it is a work of equal magnitude, we have heard very little doubtabout it. Iteerfcainlv has notßuch a high-sounding name ag fie G.P.W.R.C. I allude to the race now being cut by Butson, May, and party. That party did not carry round a petition for signature to get a loan from the Government to -construct it with \ and though the manager of the G.P.W,R.C. got one or two of the business people of this place to sign such a petition, had they known that the Company was going to supply provisions und tools, I question whether he would have got one signature. By the bye, Mr. Editor, can you inform me if a registered company is allowed a longer time before commencing operations than a private party isj if so, for what reason. — I remain, &o. - ■ Mures. . Waipori, October 17, 1872.