OPPOSITION PETITION.

West Coast Times, 25 June 1909, Page 3

OPPOSITION PETITION.

The telegram says : — The following is a copy of the petition I have received to which reference has been made in previous communications : — "We the undersigned, on behalf of a large majority of miners of Rimu and Woodlands wish to inform you that the telegram and other correspondence lately sent to you fe granting water for electric power to pump water to this field were not sent with the knowledge or ponsent of the Rimu Miners' Association the President of that body never having consulted his colleagues. In fact, one numerously signed requisition contained the signatures of only four miners,' and they are personally interested in the syndicate, we may 'inform you that the applicant, Mr Parham, has already got granted by the Warden 200 acres of Rimu Flat, and has applied for two more areas of 200 acres, each, and one of 80 acres, but taking in nearly all the country from the Rimu township to the Hokitika Borough boundary and further he has got a prospecting area of 88 acres on Seddon's Terrace. He has also secured an option to purchase the water rights held by the Rimu Water Coy., thus if he gets con-

' cession applied for he would control all the water of the district available for mining purposes, we would therefore respectfully suggest that in order to protect the interests of the individual miner a clause be inserted in the regulation fixing a maximum price to be charged per head of water. The charge at present in lOd per head per hour for sluicing purposes. (Signed.) R. McKenzie.

COPY AGREEMENT

The following is ' a copy of clause six of the agreement binding the syndicate to supply water to the miners of Rimu (prepared by Mr J. B. Lewis, solicitor) "That in the event of the contractor exercising such option of purchase as aforesaid he will supply or cause to be supplied water from the said mining privileges to all or any of the present shareholders and their assigns in the said Rimu Company who may require to use the same for mining purposes and to all claims holders or their assignees who are now bein^ sup-> plied by the Rimu Coy and their representatives » or assignees. The price for such water not to exceed lOd per head per hour, and the supply of such water to be distributed in not less qualities to each shareholder than and in the manner and quantities hitherto adopted and supplied by the Rimu Coy. but it is expressly understood that the contractor shall not be liable for the construction of any water race or pipe line leading from any of the said mining privileges 'to anyplace or places where such water may be required and it is further agreed that in the event of the contractor increasing the capacity of the said mining privileges he shall sell, supply, and distribute to the shareholders and claimholders who are now being supplied by the Rimu Coy. and their representatives or assignees, • a proportional share of the water so concerned at the same rate per head per hour as hereinbefore mentioned. The intention of this agreement being that 'in the event of the capacity of the said mining privilege being increased, the .present claimholders and shareholders are to have a proportionate share of such increased water, and the contractor shall be bound to sell the same to them for the same price as above mentioned."

"That this agreement shall operate in favour of and be binding upon the successors, nominees, executors, administrators, assignees, of the parties hereto' respectively:"