PROSPECTING AND THE PRICE OF WATER.

Otago Witness, Volume 01, Issue 2123, 1 November 1894, Page 20

PROSPECTING AND THE PRICE OF WATER.

The following leltor lias been handed to ub (Cromwell Argus) for publication :—: — To the Hon. Richard Seddon, Premier. Sir,— On behalf of the Confederate Minerr Association of Otago I wish to respectfully point out to you the following facts :— (1) That on the goldfteldß of Central Otago at this present time ft great depression prevails, no£ among gold miners only, but alt through trade in general, and that this 'is caused through the natural increase of the population (thus calling for an increasing expenditure) without a proportionate increase in the gold returns— this latter being of vital importance as long as the output of other produce is blocked through the want of railway communication with the seaportß. (2) That under present condition^ tho only remedy against this depression, aud whereby activity in trade may be restored, is by making fresh gold discoveries, and for such purpose prospecting must be vigorously followed up, I have therefore most earnestly to lay the request before you to sot apart a sum for prospecting either by absolute grant or as subsidy at the rate Of JE2 for £1 collected by the associations. The Lowburn Association is at present trying to raise a prospecting fund, but, owing to hard times, the people In many instances seem to have lost the proper public spirit necessary to progress, and in consequence fti'.ds are coming in but slowly. I have another matter to lay before you— namely, the necessity of cheaper water for the miners at Na^eby in the Mount Ida district. While recognising the fact that the Government race at such place has been worked at a loss, and that it is desirable that it should be made to pay the expenses of keep and repair, still I wish tQ respectfully point out that the prosperity of a country cannot be attained by high rents charged for privileges used by the people, but it can only exist under conditions when men can earn a subsistence without actuary having to make slaves of themselves ; and I may be allowed to show that there has been noirealloss bustained, as the race has been the means of keeping an industrial population in the district for many years, and children born in the district for many years have grown into young men and women now ready to become citizens and contributors to the commonwealth ; and as gold in that district can only be got under difficulties, increasing year by year, I wish to Bugge3t to you the desirability of a reduction in charges for water from the Government race in thatlocality. . Knowing the intarest your Government hasap all times taken in the welfare of the mining mi dustry, I hope for a favourable consideration ol above request.— l am, Ac, John AVerneh, Secretary Miners' Association of Otago. Lowburn Ferry, October 15.