I.—4a.

115. As a practical man, can you give the Committee some idea of what you consider its value? —No. If I was acting commercially, and wanted to buy that race, I would ask him to show me his books, to ascertain whether he got the revenue stated, and I would go among the men and ascertain whether they really paid it or not.

Friday, 4th Octobee, 1895. Mr. Aitkbn further examined. 1. Mr. Allen.] I want to know, if Holmes's race commands this low ground, what is the use of putting it into the Government race?— All this low ground (indicated on the map which is before the Committee) is commanded by Holmes's race or at present supplied by Holmes's race. A part of it occupies the ground near the Teremakau River and along the river. But the Government have their race back from the Teremakau River at the back of the flat, and altogether at a higher level. Without connecting Holmes's race with the Government race at the tunnel-mouth you could not run the Holmes water into our race ; that runs round in this direction—that is, in the direction of the Kapitea Hill Race. This connection would have to be made from Cashman's dam on the Holmes race to our race. The tunnel-mouth is the most convenient place at which the connection could be made. As matters stand now, it commands the whole of the ground close to the Teremakau River, but not the ground here at the back. 2. Is there much of this ground which Holmes's race commands that is unworked and can be worked ?—A considerable portion of it is unworked and can be worked ; the Government is also supplying claims in the same locality. There are three claims which the Government race supplies. In order to supply these three claims, we have to take about 60ft. fall to get on to a lower level— about the same level as Holmes's race. 3. Then the whole of Holmes's water and the Government water, which is now required, would be required for working this flat near the Teremakau River?— Yes. 4. That is the reason for making the statement that it might not be necessary at present to connect Holmes's race with the Government race : at the same time, there is a chance of the Kumara Goldfield stretching down to the beach in this direction ; if it do so the whole of the water belonging to Holmes's race and the Government race would require to be put into the Kapitea Hill Race?— Yes. 5. But that is in the future?— Yes ; that is in the future. 6. Where is the connecting-point between Holmes's and the Government race ?—Between Cashman's reservoir and the mouth of the tunnel. 7. From that point the water can be carried to the higher level ?—lt commands the w T hole field at that point ; the Holmes water drops from Cashman's dam into Holmes's race on the low ground about 90ft. 8. Can you give us any idea how long it will take to work out the ground now commanded by Holmes's race? —I have a table here that would show it; the claims supplied by Holmes's race appear on that sheet [table referred to]; there are seven ; there is also marked the number of years it would take to work them out from the present date. 9. It appears, then, that there are seven claims commanded by Holmes's Water-race, and that it would take ten years to work out two, six years to work out four, and two years to work out the others ? —Yes. 10. Are there any others on the Teremakau Flat ?—There are three claims there supplied by the Government water. 11. Two of these will take ten years to work out, and one will take three years; is that right? —Yes. 12. So that there are altogether ten claims on the fiat—seven using Holmes's water and three the Government race; and it would take the times mentioned to work them out? —Yes. 13. If that be the case there is no necessity—or is there any necessity for some six to ten years to come at least —to run the Holmes water into the Government race ?—The probability is that it would not be wanted for some time to come; but, by having the connection in such a way that we could send the water anywhere, it would be a great convenience in having it from one startingpoint. By having it from one starting-point we could very often use some of it when it was not wanted down there. If the connection were made it would be most convenient to have it at the highest possible point for the purpose of distribution. 14. Is there any time of the year during which there is water to spare in Holmes's race? —Yes ; there has been a little. 15. Does that occur often?— Yes, very often. Holmes has not a sufficient number of parties to use the water that is available in his race, but with the three Government claims added to Holmes's they would then probably be able to use the whole of the water without having to send any of ours down to the low level. 16. Will you tell me why the Government is supplying these three claims when Holmes's race could supply them ?—I cannot tell you any reason for it, except that the parties prefer to take it from the Government. 17. Do they get free water? —They get a little ; they get better measure than they do from the Holmes people. 18. They do get some free water ?—Yes ; a little. 19. Is the level of Holmes's higher than the Government race ? —The Holmes race is higher. 20. Mr. Fraser.] What do you call that ground which you first pointed out on the map ? —That is the Kapitea Hill race. 21. Have you any knowledge yourself of the high ground?— The high ground of the Kumara Goldfield is not shown here ; it is not anywhere near the Kapitea Hill Race.

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