D.— No. 4,

16

FURTHER PAPERS RELATING TO

The Furu Scheme. At the first conference held by me with the managers of batteries, and other gentlemen/it was suggested by Mr. Steadman that the Puru Creek would be available for a thirty-head supply, at the level of the Wild Missouri Claim, 350 feet above the level of the sea. Upon inquiry, I found that this scheme had been some time ago promoted, and a survey of a portion of the line of race executed. I accordingly placed myself in communication with Mr. George Beere, who had conducted the said survey, and he was good enough to furnish me with the report and plan annexed hereto. It will be seen that neither line of race indicated would answer the required purpose, the supply being entirely insufficient, and the construction of a very costly reservoir indispensable. General Remarks. I have appended the reports from the Thames Advertiser, which are substantially correct, of the meetings held by me with the battery managers and other gentlemen, upon the 30th April and 7th May respectively. It will be seen that great desire is expressed that no time should be lost in initiating some scheme of water supply, which may have the effect of reducing the cost of motive power to the batteries, and consequently the expense of crushing to the mining companies. I believe these results will be coincident; and although the supply which will be afforded by the low-level scheme is not sufficient to meet the absolute wants of even that portion of the field commanded by it, yet it will form a great boon as far as it goes, and may hereafter be supplemented by supplies from other sources, should it be found, as I confidently expect, to entail no pecuniary burthen upon the Colony. In conclusion, I have to express my sense of the great kindness and courtesy which I met with in my inquiries from the officers of the Auckland Provincial Government. His Honor the Superintendent took the greatest interest in the matter, and gave me letters to the Provincial District Engineer (Mr. Millett) and others, which proved of the greatest possible service; and I have further to assure you that the desire of the Government to do something practical for the benefit of the gold field, was recognized generally by the very reasonable men who form the influential and responsible portion of the population of the Thames. I have, &c, C. E. Haughton, The Hon. the Minister for Public "Works, Wellington. Under Secretary.

SCHEDULE OF CORRESPONDENCE, &C., ENCLOSED WITH REPORT OF 15TH MAY, 1872.

APPENDIX.

No. Date. From. To. Subject. 1 1872. I May 8 2 8 4 5 6 7 ■ May 27 May 7 May 10 May 3 Mao 10 :May 7 R. Millett N. P. Carver J. J. O'Neill Or. A. Beere J. J. O'Neill J. Gibbons G. B. Haughton C. E. Hangliton C. E. Haughton 0. E. Haughton C. E. Haughton C. E. Haughton Return showing motive-power, machinery, &c, on Thames Gold Field, with sketch plan. Sketch of low-level water scheme —proposed arrangement (with tracing). Modification of low-level scheme. Remarks on Mr. Carver's scheme. Proposed Puru scheme (with tracing). Remarks on Mr. Beere's scheme. Estimate of working expenses of a 30 h.p. steam engine per week. Estimate of revenue receivable from batteries at Thames —low-level scheme. Resolutions of meeting of Engineers and Mine Managers as to water supply. Report on country between Moanataiari Water Race and watershed of Kauwaeranga. 8 May 6 T. W. Walker C. E. Haughton 9 May 6 W. T. Swan 10 May 6 D. Simpson J. J. O'Neill

ABLE S owing Steam 'owee used in. the Manufacture of M Gold Field, 8th May, 1872. lining lant, ;c, on iames fo.on Plan. Name. Locality. Description. Nominal T , h.p. LeveL Remarks. 60 61 62 (53 Judd and Co. Holdship and Co Tlrvvaites Price Brothers Karaka ... Iron Foundry ... Beach ... Saw Mill Beach ... Saw Mill Grahamstown ... ! Iron Foundry ... 6 L. L. 8 L. L. 6 L. L. 8 I L. L. 28