WATER FOR THE GOLDFIELDS.

Otago Witness, Volume 25, Issue 1004, 25 February 1871, Page 10

WATER FOR THE GOLDFIELDS.

TO THB EDITOR.

Sir— ln year issue ©f the nth, aMr Fuller wished to enlighten your readers by a few figures in reference to water and water races on the goldfields. Now, as it appears that gentleman wishes to depreciate the value of water raoe property, 1 will give him & few instances of the increasing value of race property. One fourth share in the Old Forts claim and water race, Welshman's Gully, was sold a few days ago for L 260 sterling ; eighteen months ago it was bought for Ll3O sterling, average wages for eighteen months L 7 per week per man, supposed work in present olaim, three years at above wages. John Davis sold one-sixth share out of Brown and Party's raoe and claim, for IMP tfetZivg; the iiffe fcUreo yean hare

averaged L - 10s- pw week- per man, four years work in sight. George Can* sold out of Fordham and Party's claim and water race, for L3OO ; average earnings these last three years, L 7 per week, being the average earnings, and an unlimited amount of work in sight at the above wages. These area few instances of what has occurred at the Welshman's Gully since the New Tear. At Dry bread Mr Magee has just left ; he sold his fourth share in Magee and Party's race, and one 32nd in the Perseverance Water Raoe, for L 50 0; four years ago neither was saleable. There is six months lease to run in the Drybread Water Race Company, which waa let for three years for LIPOO for that period to a party of four men. One of that party has gone to the old country last week with a very nice pile, but previous to his going, he sold his six months' interest for L 260. The above race was bought five years ago from Clark and party for L 2560 ; it paid good dividends for the first two and a half years ; the letting gives a good interest at present, as the above will show. The race was cut in the first instance by a party of four, but allowed any of the miners to assist by taking their wages out in water, which was readily responded to by about 40 miners taking part in the work ; which caused the race to be brought in in a comparative short time, to the mutual advantage of both, and without the outlay of any capital on the part of the shareholders, except the supplying of themselves with provisions and tools. I could give many more instances to prove that, at least in this portion ef the Dunstan distriot, with scarce an exception, raoe property has trebled in valne this last seven years ; and so far from the distriot being worked, put, it is only just beginning to be developed. And when Mr Fuller again wishes to put his statements into print, he will try to deal with facts, and not try to depreciate the property of the men who have fought successfully against difficulties, and have paid above their share of the revenue having veiy little in return from the Govern-ment.-—I am, &0.,

A Mikeb.