I.—4c.

T. BOBKIN.J

27. 77<e Chairman.] This water is not for the benefit of any company ?—No. Yes; we shall derive our benefit by being able to buy water from any company. 28 Is there not a company formed which has applied for the right? —Yes. 29. Will not the water be "for the benefit of the company ?—lt will be of benefit to us through the company. . . . , ~ n . 30 Mr. Seddon.] About these petitions: You have seen the petitions going round the Kiniu district, and can tell us that they are signed by bona fide miners and others interested m the mining industry?— That is so. . . 31. Have you got any idea of how many signed the petitions?— Every one that I asked m the Rimu district signed. . . ~ , , , 32. One thousand four hundred and sixty signed altogether, and principally those about Rimu and those interested in the district?— Yes. 33. There was some mention made about a monopoly being created?— The first intimation 1 trot about a monopoly came through Wellington. 34 There was some distrust among the miners; they thought there would be a monopoly. There was some misunderstanding about the charges for the sale of the water?—lt has been perfectly understood amongst the miners there that, if the company is floated and water is brought over Rimu Flat, they have to sell the water at a charge understood between the miners and the whether that is an absolutely binding contract?— Yes. The syndicate has undertaken to bind themselves to sell water at a reasonable price to individual miners. Of course they have a certain quantity of water they are prepared to sell, and the Rimu miners are satisfied Wlth 3 t J MJ Another phase of the monopoly is that this company is taking up the workable area at Rimu : how much can be worked?— Six thousand acres, absolutely proved. 37. How many acres have the company an option over?— Eight hundied 38. You mentioned about the promise the Government made of £15,000 as a subsidy to any one brh-.-ing water on to the Rimu terraces: can you explain the reason of that? Why should they giSat to Rimu and not to other districts ?-Because they recognised that the development of th 6 Ringing water to those high terra 4 C o S? md h :nv iB c r p t a h in: TpTrson attempt to finance a scheme whereby they could bring water on to the high terraces ?—Yes; Mr. Grimmond, of Ross, endeavoured to float a company Vl You are aware that the Government have given £16 000 to work the Ross «■»-*«• 42. And you believe you had as reasonable a demand as the Ross people?—A fai gieater demand. It is a far more important mining centre. 43 The Chairman.] Have you asked for a subsidy?— No. 44 That is a matter outside of the Water Regulations?— Yes. _ „,,,„„»,? «. Mr. Seddon.] This association of miners in Rimu had several meetings about the echesae? 6 46 And you are of one opinion as to the necessity of bringing water in?— Yes. 47. And you are of opinion that if you had water the mining industry T^™"*' 48. How many miners are employed there?— Between forty-eight and fifty. I have gone ° Vei 49 If this water were brought on to the Rimu terraces, three hundred miners would be employed is Sat an exaggeration ? -No, there would be quite that number. I should say the populati,. cou,d^m :S ied^ten thiit & company ,_ Yes , Wuse we must have capitals develop undertake a of BUoh a ne t ure t-No. Mi Sd you the opinion of the miners in the district ?-Yes ; I am entirely indePmd Tl the syndicate's pumping-station. be away from their J?! T% £i™«f™r < i'T 1 I? B «-.».ee.-T,, e? „. p.ep.r.d to bind to ~,1 •" i \tturr«st.« p^d?»it=,^.»t.. M tl .,v m «' *". -•» -* »- ke • maximum charge?— Yes. nti.ov niirt>oee? —I do not know. ,™ „w,, We .re inplj depend™, on .he ,-,,er lro» *« 1»«» w , le ,.,_They p.o--"""S? W,,,,, ,u«,it y of Wte i. bailable! How „„, he.d., W**!,, ™ ">ere in th. To Arohal—Three hundred he.ds; that ii the understanding about that.

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