REPORT OF GOLD FIELDS COMMITTEE.

15

H.—No. 11

2. The proprietor of every enterprise for which the benefits of the Act are sought shall make application in writing to the nearest Commissioner, and such application shall state : — (1.) The names and descriptions of the projectors, or if they be a Joint Stock Company, then the registered particulars thereof. (2.) The names of the Engineer and Manager of the enterprise. (3.) The general description of the water race or races, dams, reservoirs, or other works proposed to be constructed; the quantity of water intended to be conveyed or stored, the length of the race or races, size of reservoirs or dams, the maximum rate proposed to be charged for the water, the nature and extent of the auriferous ground proposed to be supplied with water. (4.) The estimated cost of the enterprise. (5.) Its proposed capital. (6.) The interests, if any, affected by the diversion or storage of the water to be dealt with, together with such other matters as the Minister may from time to time order. (7.) The amount of money proposed to be borrowed. 3. Along with their application the projectors shall deposit with the Commissioners the sum of £50.* 4. On receipt of any application the Commissioner shall make full and careful inquiry into the same, and shall also instruct the Inspecting Engineer to examine the site of the proposed race, dam, or reservoir; the plans or specifications, if any, of the proposed work, and make an estimate of the probable cost of construction, for the information of the Commissioner. 5. The Commissioner shall, as soon as convenient, report to the Minister for Public Works upon the application, and such report shall state his opinion as to — (1.) The bond fides of the enterprise. (2.) Its feasibility. (3.) The correctness of the estimate of the quantity of water to be rendered available thereby. (4.) The'correctness of the estimate of cost. (5.) The probable effect of the work on other interests concerned in the sources of water to be dealt with. (6.) The safety or otherwise of the works proposed as affecting life and property in the neighbourhood. (7.) The extent of auriferous ground which the proposed work will command and render payable; together with such other matters as the Minister may require him to report. 6. Each application shall, before being referred to the Minister, be published in the Gazette, and advertised twice or more in at least one newspaper circulating in or near the place to which such application refers.t 7. The Commissioner, before reporting, may require of the projectors all such specifications and information as" he may think necessary in any application. 8. If the report of the Commissioner be favourable, but not otherwise, and subject to the limitations and conditions hereinafter contained, the Minister may, if he thinks fit, order that the benefits of the Act may be extended to any such enterprise to the extent applied for: Provided that, if the report shall recommend alterations in any particular of such enterprise, the Minister may refer the application back to the projectors for amendment, and the report of the Commissioner, after such amendment, shall have the authority of an original report. 9. The proportion of the cost of any work to which the benefits of the Act shall be extended, to be advanced or loaned by the Government, shall not in any case exceedj one-third of the actual§ cost of construction. 10. Not more than fifteen thousand pounds|| shall be advanced to any one enterprise. 11. Immediately after any application shall have been finally decided, the deposit thereon shall be repaid, except so much as may be retained under authority of any order made by the Minister for covering the cost of the Commissioner's inquiry and report. 12. No loan shall issue to any enterprise unless the projectors shall have complied with all the provisions and requirements of " The Gold Fields Act, 1866," and of any other law or regulation for the time being in force within the Gold Fields with respect to the initiation of such enterprise. 13. Every enterprise which is brought under the benefits of the Act shall be carried out in conformity with the particulars contained in the application to the Commissioner; and the * This deposit will be sufficient, no doubt, to defray the cost of inquiry in each case, and will prevent idle or speculative applications, whilst it will not deter bond fide applications ; or, in lieu of a fixed deposit of £50, a small percentage upon amount proposed to be borrowed. t The effect of this is to enable persons whose interests may be jeopardized by the proposed enterprise to lodge objections, which, of course, would be inquired into and reported to the Minister. J It may possibly be found advisable to extend the proportion to one-half in certain cases. § This is a most important necessity, as it will prevent fraud or reckless official expenditure, and will guarantee to a large extent the validity of the security proposed to be taken by the Government. || It will be necessary to fix a limit, or else it might be found that the whole of the loan for water supply would be locked up iv a few large undertakings. Mr. O'Neill considers the limit should be £25,000.