D.-No. 4!

FURTHER PAPERS RELATING TO WATER SUPPLY UPON THE GOLD FIELDS.

No. 1. Upon the 24th January, 1872, the following Circular was addressed by the Hon. the Minister of Public Works to the under-mentioned Gold Mining Companies upon the Thames Gold Field: — Alburnia Pioneer Waiotahi Caledonian Ballarat and Clunes Brighton Golden Crown F.M.K. (late Chaldees) Tramway Prince Imperial United Service Goodall's Kuranui Gow's Criterion Middle Star Weston's Bull's Morning Star Brown and Campbell Atlas Shotover Herald Onehunga Una Manukau Hokianga Whau Moanataiari Halcyon Clarkson's No. 1 Sir Walter Scott Albert Commercial Wild Missouri Bleazard's Mora Macdonald Eose and Crown Peep o' Day Souter's Eussell Australasian. Gibbons' Imperial Crown (Circular.) Sib,— Public Works Office, Auckland, 24th January, 1872. It being of great public importance that the Government should obtain the fullest possible information with regard to the proposed water supply to the Thames Gold Field, and as that information can most efficiently bo supplied by those interested in the good working of the field, I have the honor to request you will be good enough to furnish me with replies to the enclosed questions as soon as you can conveniently do so. I have, &c, J. D. OSMOKD, To the Managing Directors. Minister, Public Works.

Questions enclosed. 1. What machinery do you mate use of, and for what purpose ? "What is its aggregate horse power, distinguishing between machines worked by steam and water power ? 2. For steam power, how much water do they use, and what is its cost at the mine or battery? 3. The proposed low-level supply is 130 feet above the sea, the high level 500 feet; what amount of water would you require, and would the low level supply you, or would the high level be necessarily adopted ? 4. Would you make use of water power instead of steam, if either of the proposed works were executed ? 5. What would be the money value to you per horse power per annum of a sufficient supply of water for power of per stamper for a supply of pure water for batteries ? 6. What is your present source of water supply ? Is it of good quality ? Is it constant ? If not, when did it fail, and for how long ? 7. Would a supply of pure water for the batteries increase the yield of gold per ton of ore ; and if so, how much ? 8. With a good supply of water would you be able to work ore which is not at present payable ? If so, to what extent, and where situated ? 9. What average yield of gold per ton will pay working expenses with the present water supply and appliances ; and what with water as the motive power, and pure water for batteries, not including the cost of water ? 10. Do you think the number of mines would be increased as the result of a good water supply ; if so, to what extent ? Would you be good enough to state your reasons for the opinion ? .11. Can water which has once been used for a battery be used again with advantage for a battery lower down ?

AWSWEES to these were received from the following Companies : — Una Q.M. Co. Flora Macdonald (Gibbons' Battery) Brighton Q.M. Co. Souter's Battery Sunnybank Q.M. Co. Middle Star G.M. Co., Brown and Campbell. and are subjoined hereto.