CORRESPONDENCE.

Otago Witness, Issue 1778, 19 December 1885, Page 15

CORRESPONDENCE.

AID TO GOLDFIELDS IN WALLACE

COUNTY.

TO THE EDITOB.

Sib, — In your issue of the 12fch inst. a letter signed *| Miner" appears headed as above. I was rather astonished on reading it to find, in the first instance, such misleading statements contained therein ; but it needs very little foresight to' at once see that it emanates from an interested party in one of the water-races .already constructed. With regard to the kindly warning he wishes to impress on the County Council members as to their duty in reference to voting away the taxpayers' money, I would suggest, in the first place, that " Miner " should not cast insinuations without first making proper inquiries as to whether the taxpayers' money is being, or going to be, spent or voted in an improper manner. As to the sum inaid — viz., £2400 — " Miner " -would make it appear that the council finds £800 as a subsidy; but such is not the fact. They give it as a loan, to be repaid, with interest added, taking security over the whole race when completed, which means for a loan of £800 the county gets security up to the amount of £4800. At present the portion constructed gives a direct revenue to the county of £153 4s per annum — viz. .- it employs 44 men — miners' rights, £44 ; they obtain on the average half an ounce per week each— gold duty, £109 4s ;— total, £153 4s. The committee that were appointed to examine the race already constructed did so, and were perfectly satisfiedj further, a competent party was sent by the council to ascertain whether the quantity of water was there or not, and he made a report to the council stating that it was there.

Now so far as "Miner" tries to show this as being a monopoly, I fearlessly state that since this field has been opened an oppressive monopoly on the part of the water squatters has been the case, we having had 'to pay, and are still paying, 7s per head of 4in by 2in of water per week for an average supply of three hours per day for nine months out of the year. No doubt the shoe pinches when " Miner," or as he should have signed himself in his true colours " Water Squatter," finds that by the completion of Berndtson and party's race this Jong existing extortion on the miners is in a fair way of being reduced by 100 per cent. I can sympathise with him and others interested in not being able to carry on this exorbitant tax, which the construction of Berndtson and paxty's race means removing. His (" Miner's") own argument conclusively shows to any unprejudiced mind the benefit we as miners will derive by it, as he plainly states' a fact when he admits that Berndston and party's proposal to the conncil means that the rent of water will be reduced considerably, and a permanent supply provided in lieu of one for three hours a day.

This dog-in-the-manger feeling on miners or water squatters' part is not a botia fide digger's idea of enterprise. As a rule we are always in favour of that which benefits the mass and not the few, and if the other races on this field were of the same nature and magnitude as Berndtson and party's is, where an extension means cheap water and a permanent supply (which cannot be the case in those now constructed), I have not the slightest doubt that' the same assistance would have been accorded if properly represented on facts and applied for, the application showing that an increase of water would result in any such extensions. It is a well-known fact that even with Berudtson and party's race completed, and which will give occupation to 200 men, there is plenty of room for double as many more. The auriferous ground already proved payable with a good supply of water extends from the righthand branch of Purrapurrakins (eastern slope of Longwood) to Waiau on the western side — a distance of 30 miles by two miles wide. This area Berudtson and party's race commands at an altitude of 400 ft above sea level.

With all these undeniable facts (which "Miner" must be aware ar,e correct) staring him and all of us in the face, can he, as a bona fide miner, justify himself in throwing cold water on such a beneficial work as this must inevitably be to us as miners and the district as a whole?

Apologising for having taken up so much valuable space,— rl am, &c, Bona-fidb Miner on this Field for Twenty Years. Round Hill Goldfield, December 14.