H.—No. 3

WELLINGTON WATERWORKS BILL.

5

Friday, Ist September, 1871. The Committee met pursuant to adjournment. Present: Mr. Bradshaw, Hon. Mr. Fitzherbert. Mr. Bunny, Mr. O'Neill. Mr. Pearce, Chairman. The Chairman informed the Committee that the House had been pleased to grant further time to report. Mr. Allen, on behalf of Mr. Schultze, addressed the Committee in support of introducing a clause in the Bill requiring the Corporation to purchase Mr. Schultze's land and mill on the Kai Warra Stream. Mr. Travers replied. On the motion of Mr. Bunny, the Committee adjourned till half-past 3 on Monday next; notices to members to state that it will probably be a final meeting. Monday, 4th September, 1871. The Committee met pursuant to adjournment. Present : Mr. Bradshaw, Mr. O'Neill. Mr. Bunny, Mr. Pearce, Chairman. Mr. Fitchett appeared on behalf of certain gold-mining companies, and produced sample of gold taken from Baker's Hill claim, stating that 19 dwt. of gold had been obtained from 24 cwt. of stone. Other trials made have not yielded so much. By Mr. Bunny.] Are you aware that a compensation clause is provided in the Bill if injury is done to those interested?—Tes, but we don't want compensation. "We want to continue the works. If the Company draw water from the proposed site, will that injure your claim? —Tes, it will put it twenty feet under water. How do you know this ? —Mr. Marchant told me so. Mr. Fitchett here stated that the proposed dam of Waterworks should be placed on the Porirua branch of the Kai Warra Stream ; and that Mr. O'Neill had surveyed the ground for Mr. Schultze. By Mr. Pearce.] Do you consider this site as good as one proposed by the City Engineer?—lt is so long ago since I surveyed the site in question that I can't say. By Mr. O'Neill.] Mr. Pitchett stated that the Baker's Hill drive is in 430 feet, and the proposed dam would put it twenty feet under water, and that in this drive they have passed through a band 18 feet thick of gold-bearing stuff, yielding, when tested, 7 dwt. to the ton. By Mr. Pearce.] If your prospects are no better in six months' time than they are now, would you still continue working ?—Tes. Mr. Gill here stated that the Morning Star Company are now putting up a turbine wheel, and that the Company will require all the water in stream to work it. Mr. Pitchett stated that the Baker's Hill Company have been at work for two years. A clause proposed to be inserted in the Bill to protect gold-mining interests was handed to tho Chairman. The deputation then withdrew. On the motion of Mr. Bunny, the Committee adjourned till 12 o'clock to-morrow. Tuesday, sth September, 1871. The Committee met pursuant to adjournment. Present: Mr. Bunny. Mr. Hunter. Mr. Collins. Mr. O'Neill. Hon. Mr. Pitzherbert. Mr. Pearce, Chairman. It was resolved that the Chairman be requested to ask Mr. O'Neill and Mr. Bradshaw personally to inspect the gold mines at Baker's Hill, and report to the Committee as to whether there is any prospect of payable gold being found at said claims. The Chairman was further directed to ascertain from Mr. Marchant whether there were any other sources 'from which water could be conveniently obtained other than that provided by the Bill, and if so at what extra cost, if any, and generally to state how a supply of water can be obtained for town without interfering with the miners' operations. The Committee then adjourned, the Chairman to convene a meeting when the above reports were ready. Friday, 15th September, 1871. Present : Mr. Bradshaw. Hon. Mr. Fitzherbert. Mr. Bunny. Mr. O'Neill. Mr. Pearce, Chairman. Mr. O'Neill stated that he had visited and inspected the different claims at Baker's Hill with Mr. J. C. Brown, and read a report thereon, which was afterwards to be handed in, signed by the Chairman, and attached to the proceedings. Mr. J. C. Brown corroborated Mr. O'Neill's report in every particular. Specimens and gold obtained by these gentlemen from Baker's Hill were handed to the Committee 2