SUPPLY OF WA.TER ON THE GOLD FIELDS.

D.—No. 8,

13

WESTLAND. No. 10. Hon. Mr. Gisborne to Chairman County Council. (Telegram) Wellington, 21st October, 1870. Dr. Knight, Auditor-General, proceeds in Alhambra to Hokitika. His mission is to report on what expenditure can be authorised under Public AVorks Act, on roads in Westland, and whether, on your recommendation, the construction of any water works for the gold fields there can be authorised. Please give him every assistance. The Chairman of County Council, Hokitika. W. Gisborne.

No. 11. Dr. Knight to Hon. Mr. Gisborne. WATER SUPPLY. SIE, — County of Westland, 17th January, 1871. In reference to the remaining subject on which I was directed to procure information while inspecting the Gold Field Accounts of the County of Westland—that of head water-races—it is not necessary to dilate on the importance of a good water supply for developing the workings of the West Coast gold fields. Sluicing is the principal mode of separating gold in the County districts, and the value of an ample supply for that purpose can scarcely be over-estimated. Surveyor Mueller, in his progress report, states that there are thousands of acres of terrace ground in the Waimea and Kanieri districts which would pay well, if a steady supply of water could be obtained. The scarcity of water for working ground not rich in the precious metal, is becoming a serious difficulty. At times, whole districts suffer severely. During the dry weather of 1869-70, many whims and smaller water-wheels ceased work altogether in the Waimea and Kanieri districts, and others were quiet for weeks for want of water, so that almost a stop was put to digging operations. For working rich grounds, little water may suffice. Miners can afford to lose some of the gold so long as what is saved repays their labor. But to make poor ground pay, large quantities of "stuff" must be sent through the boxes, and to do this effectually, an abundant supply of water is required. Surveyor Mueller, in his report, also states that in the Waimea and Kanieri Districts each petty rill of water is utilized. In some parts the hill side is so thoroughly cut up by diminutive races, that it is impossible to get a supply of half a sluice head by going a less distance than three or four miles. The drainage of every knoll has been registered. Everyone in the districts holds a little water right ; but very few can boast of a regular supply of water. Considering the comparatively small area which the workings in both districts occupy, it is apparent, now the best ground has been worked, that the largest population which those districts once supported can no longer be maintained, unless means are taken to bring in a plentiful supply of water. Head water-races are the great need of the West Coast diggings. Companies will not venture on these speculations in the increasing depression of the gold fields without large guarantees from the Government. They will be still less able to do so as time creeps on, and the better grounds are exhausted. The pressing necessity is to prevent the dispersion of the mining population. It is the duty of the Government to step in, at any rate, before the population of the gold fields is seriously diminished, and, by bringing water from commanding heights, to enable miners to work the poorer but much more extensive grounds. It is on the more elevated workings of the Waimea and Kanieri Districts that water is so much required. The returns from grounds that now pay the miner £2 or £,3 per week with the totally insufficient supply, would be doubled, and gold fields would be worked which at present are almost untouched from the absolute impossibility of obtaining water for washing, and which miners in the locality unite in asserting contain the richest gold deposits in the districts. It is stated in the reports of Wardens and others that the large district extending from the Mikonui River to Totara on the southern and northern slopes of the Greenland Range, is nearly deserted through a want of water. The vast importance of a continuous water supply to the different mining centres has engaged the attention ot a Select Committee of the County Council, and it came to the conclusion that, until some comprehensive plan is adopted and carried out with energy, the prosperity of the County would be seriously retarded. The Council, on the recommendation of the Committee, adopted the following regulations:— "1. That, in such cases as those alluded to in the following regulations, one-half the necessary capital may be guaranteed by the Council for the construction of head water-races. "2. The other half of the necessary capital shall be subscribed for, and at least one-fourth of the subscribed capital paid up by bona fide shareholders. Such money to be paid into a separate account in the name of the company and some person to be appointed by the County Chairman, and not to be drawn except by cheques signed by the Manager of the Company and the person appointed by the County Chairman, as above. 3