Aid to Goldfields in Wallace County.

Otago Witness, Issue 1777, 12 December 1885, Page 11

Aid to Goldfields in Wallace County.

TO THE EDITOR

Sib, — The above subject calls for some investigation by the authorities in the interest of the public, and as the .Otago Witness is the leading mining journal in this island, I feel sure you will facilitate a discussion on any mining matter, especially when the whole community of taxpayers in this district are interested in the matter referred to — namely, Berndtson's waterrace to Round Hill.

For some time past Mr Berndston has been trying to obtain aid from tho General Government and the Wallace County Council to complete a water-race from the north-east side of Longwood to Round Hill diggings, and a deal of correspondence has passed between the County Council and the Government thereanent. A report sent by Berndston to the County Council stated that he had constructed nine miles at a cost of £2400, that the race was carrying three Government heads, ami that it wa capable of

carrying twenty Government heads. The writer pointed out the advantages aud incentives to profitable mining conferred by the race by providing a large water supply to the field, which must result in a direct increase of revenue to the county funds, and to accomplish this to him very desirable end he desired to obtain a money aid of £2400 to construct seven and a-half miles more in order to complete the race. The application was so favourably looked upon by the County Council that they recommended the Government to favourably consider the matter, which resulted in the Government agreeing to advance £1600 if the Wallace County Council subsidised the work by a grant of an additional £800 ; and as it seems that the county and the Government are likely to grant the money obtained from public revenue, the proposal is open to public criticism.

T submit that Ministers and councillors are not doing their duty to the ratepayers in voting this money unless the following matters have had strict attention paid to them. The authorities have before them there port of Mr Berridtson stating the length of race already constructed, cost of construction, and quantity of Avater obtained, with proposed distance of extension, and f>o forth. Have the authorities strictly investigated the statements contained in that report, and, if so, by whom have the investigations been conducted? Did a committee of the County Council actually view the work done and the site of the proposed extension, and particularly acquaint themselves as to there being a supply of water at the terminal point of the race, which alone can ensure the successful expenditure of this money ? If this inspection has not been actually made, it should be undertaken prior to the money being granted by the Council. I would further direct the councillors' attention to the remarks of your able and much admired correspondent, Mr J. C. Meadway, in that portion of his letter in your issue of the 28th November last, wherein he mentions that a member of the House proposed a bill to the effect that no license shoiild be issued for a foot of ground or a company registered until it was proved, on the certificate of a mining engineer of ability and probity! that such ground contemplated to be worked justified the investment of public money to a stated amount, and no more. All persons taking any interest in mining must know and regret the loss of public money spent on unproductive water-races, &c. Vast sums might have been saved if disinterested persons had been called upon to investigate the cases, and report and advise on their merits or demerits. For moneys to be spent on projects which do not show a fair prospect of success is only to give members of the House reason to point to the consequent failures as grounds for opposing any vote to aid the development of our goldfields, and on that ground I maintain it is the duty of every buna fide miner to see that all public moneys expended are so laid out as to result in success to the mines.

Furthermore, in regard to this particular project, I think you, Sir, will agree with me that a great injustice is likely to be done to persons who at their own cost, unassisted by public subsidy, have completed other waterraces to thisjfieid. As it is proposed in Mr Berndtson's report to, in the event of the Council advancing this money, reduce the price now charged for rent of water at the Round Hill, this really means that the public are to supply one man with money to construct a race, and cause those who have had no assistance from the public to be handicapped — or, in other words, that competition of an unfair nature is to be brought about. For instance, say the Government advances £2400 at say 7 per cent., private persons have to pay on mining ventures say 12 per cent. (I know of some at 15 per cent.), either the Government ought to receive more interest, or the governing bodies ought to be ready, when called upon, to assist all other water-race ventures on the same terms. Where Government aid is given, as in this instance, it gives one man the means to acquire a monopoly in water, if they leave it so that he may make his own charge for water rent. As I feel sure the members of the Wallace County Council wish, as far as in them lies, to deal justly and judiciously with the county funds, and keep themselves free from being accused of neglecting the interests of the ratepayer.' to the advancement of any interested person, I trust they will act on the advice of Mr Meadway and your humble servant in having a report from " a mining engineer of ability and experience" before committing themselves in sanctioning this expenditure. — I am, &c, Miner.

Riverton, December 5.