ADDISON'S FLAT WATER SUPPLY.

Westport Times, Volume IV, Issue 742, 26 November 1870, Page 2

ADDISON'S FLAT WATER SUPPLY.

During the recent visit of the Superintendent to this portion of the Province he was requested, by the population of Addison's, to visit that portion of the goldfields for the purpose of explaining the conditions attached to the proposed £300,000 loan for goldfields' water supply, and to enable him to form an estimate of the facilities possessed by that locality for the beneficial expenditure of a portion of any sum allotted to the Nelson Province for this purpose. We annex the Superintendent's reply, as also a petition signed by 119 miners and others, resident at Addison's, praying that a portion of any money available may be expended in bringing fn a comprehensive supply of water to the goldfields of that locality. The petition will be forwarded to his Honor. ME CUETIS'S B!?PLY. The Superintendent begs to acknowledge the receipt of Mr Lush's letter of the Ist instant, and to express his regret that he will be unable to visit Addison's Flat, as he has made arrangements to leave for Charleston early to-morrow morning. The Superintendent has taken steps to procure information as to the districts upon these Goldfields most in want of water supply, and the probable cost of providing them with it • and any representations made by the Addison's Fiat Committee to the District Engineer, will doubtless receive that officer's attention. The ultimate decision rests with the Greneral Government, upon the recommendation of the Provincial Council.

There is, however, at present no certainty that any funds will be available for the purpose, as the loan from which these funds must be derived, has not yet been raised, and it is doubtful, in the present state of affairs in Europe, whether the English money market will be favorable for its negotiation.

The sum proposed to be devoted to water supply on goldfields is £300,000, of which a portion, to be determined by the General Government, will be allotted to this Province in the event of the loan being negotiated. Westport, Nov. 3, 1870. . Mr E. Lush, Secretary, Addison's Flat Water Supply Committee.

To his Honor the Superintendent oe the Province of Neison, New Zealand The humble petition of the inhabitants of Addison's Flat district—

Showoth that your petitioners have heard that the General Government propose to devote the sum of three hundred thousand pounds sterling—of the amount to be raised under the " Immigration and Public "Works Act" —to supplying the goldfiqlds of tho Colony with water for mining purposes—

That Addison's Plat and tho contiguous pakihis have been found to be, over an extensive area more or less auriferous.—

That this ground would pay for worl-.ing if the district were furnished with an adequate supply of water for ground-sluicing. That a large number of minor 3 have left the district solely on account of this deficiency, but who would roturn

if water were procurable at a cheap rate.—

That they believe such a sufficient supply is procurable.— That, independent of the consideration of an increase in the population, the present supply is totally inadequate to the necessities of the district.— !

That several blocks of land have been taken up in leases, and tail-races commenced that will cost from £I7OO to £2OOO each, and the projectors are not certain if they can procure a sufficiency of water to work their claims when their tail-races are completod.— That the calculations made below, to show that the works would b6 reproductive, your petitioners believe would be more than realized in experience.

Cost' of bringing in 200 heads of water, say £IO,OOO. Eent of 200 heads, at 10s. per week, £SOOO per annum. Interest on outlay, say £500; management, say £SOO ; repairs and contingencies, say £1500; Total £2500; leaving a balance of two thousand and five hundred pounds per annum, which would pay off the principal in fou years.

Your petitioners therefore pray that you may be pleased to request that an adequate sum, of the amount to be raised under the Act referred to, may be devoted to supplying this district with a sufficient quantity of water to meet its requirements and necessities. And your petitioners will ever pray.