MINING INDUSTRY.

Otago Witness, Issue 2161, 25 July 1895, Page 20

MINING INDUSTRY.

TO THE EDITOR,

Sir, — At present there seems to be a stroDg desire evinced to relieve the existing depression, to secure the prosperity of the people, and the progress of the colony by capital assisting labour in an effort to revive the mining industry, and it may not seem out of placs (o consider how this much desired object may be brought abffut' in a way, not unbecoming on. ;he one part, or derogatory on the other, and yet by which capital and labour may each get its fair share of the profi's arising out of their combined use. It is well-known that many goldnelds of a highly-payable character are languishing for the want of an adequate 'supply of water to develop their resources, and it is believed by the best authorities on these matters that the opening up of such fields would not only be tbe mean 3by which a great number of men might find lucrative employment, but would also give a very great impetus to the progress of the colony. Large sums of money have been reali-ed by the proprietors of water races, a water race being, in many instances, tbe key to a goldfield, and I think the owner-hip cf a water race would probably be the be->t security for the repayment of capital invested in the field. Under economical arrangements in the can- 1 6t ruction of water races, the water rents of' oharges for the u?e of water on a good field might be more than sufficient to pay interest and the co3t of construction. Therefore, it seems that if water races could be constructed to supply water to good alluvial and quartz mining ground, a vast number of men would be able to secure a very comfortable living. With the view of forwarding the movement I beg to offer the following suggestions for tbe consideration of those who may be interested in it:— 1. That an association be formed, to be called " The New Zeahnd Water Raca and Mining Association," which fchall receive sums of money for investment in the construction of water rices. 2. That the association shall obtain the best information possible as to what fields would bs most profitable as to the yield of gold and most suitable jib to the construction of water racas. 3. That, having decided upon a field for operation*, the necessary tteps be taken to secure the water rights, permission to construct a water race, &3., &c. « 4. That the wages of working member 3 of the association engaged in the construction of water races shall be fixtd nominally at 10a per day, to be appropriated as follows : — Five shillings per day shall be paid from the f unda

of the association, and each working member so engaged shall be allotted a shard in a water race of the nominal value of 5s for every day he has worked for the association. 5 That all tcols, and everything necessary for the coDstructoD of a water race, shall ba provided from the funds of the association, 6. That, when a water race is finished, the association shall sell the water at such a rate as may be decided npon by the members. 7. That working expenses and inaiutenance of the water race shall be a first charge, after which the balance of the income shall be applied to the repayment ofscapital advanced, together with suoh iutereet as may be agreed upon, until suoh capital and i ate feat have been paid. 8. That, as soon as the capital advanced and the interest thereon have been paid, the working shareholders shall participate equally with the contributing shareholders as owners of the water race. — I am, &c , Caversham, July 16. Progress.