THE WAIMUMU SLUDGE QUESTION.

Southland Times, Issue 15171, 15 February 1902, Page 2

THE WAIMUMU SLUDGE QUESTION.

The Gore correspondent of the Otago Daily Timea reports that the Waimumu water question has reached a stage which may be viewed in the light of a settlement. The Hon. T. Y. Duncan, Minister of Lands, and Mr A. H. Gordon, whom the Gover ■ ment deputed to arrange a settlement, met the farmers interested at Mataora, and the proposals were accepted with much favour by the farmers. Mr Gordon submitted a proposal from the Government, which offered to the four parties interested — the Government, the Mataura Borough, the landowners, and the mining companies — the following terms: -The Mataura Borough Council, under s'ection 106 of " The Mining Act, 1898," to apply to the warden for a license to construct a tail race, the cost (not exceeding £150) to be borne by the Government, in the first place, and the latter to collect from the mining companies one half of the total expenses ; the companies to each pay £10 per month to the Government until the payment is complete. The companies bear the oost of maintaining after construction." Provision is made that in the event of the Government constituting the r>reek a sludge channel the landowners will not claim any compensation for damage, and that any claims hitherto made be withdrawu. A long discussion- took place on matters of detail, but eventually the majority of the farmers signed the agreement. The Charlton question, so far, has hot neared a settlement, the farmers, not; consenting to the Government's proposals. It is understood that they consider the Government's offer regarding clean water insufficient. Since the meeting, it is stated that the farmers have reduced their demands, so that a settlement seems probable.