D.—Ho. 4a.

4

EUETHEE PAEEES EELATING TO

of the lake at present is two square miles, and I estimate that a dam twelve feet high would double it, giving a storage capacity of 6,272,437,500 gallons, or rather more than eight-ninths of the total available rainfall of that watershed. To carry out a system of works which would produce the greatest advantage from the use of the lake water, I should recommend the erection of a dam, say twelve feet high, and of a race capable of conveying 200 heads of water for a distance of about six miles from the lake. At this point the race should divide into two branches, each capable of conveying 100 heads of water or such quantity as might be required, one to run to Callaghan's and the workings to the northward, and the other continuing to Paddy's Look-out. The approximate cost of these works would be about £50,000, and the revenue derivable from 200 heads, at £1 per head per week, sold once, £10,000.

No. 3. Mr. A. Geeenfield to Mr. C. E. Haughton. Sib, — Superintendent's Office, Nelson, 15th April, 1872. Beferring to my letter of the 11th ultimo, renewing the application made by the Provincial Government of Nelson, on the 29th July, 1871, for a water supply on the Nelson South-West Gold Fields, known as the " Nelson Creek Water Supply," under the provisions of the Immigration and Public Works Act of 1870, I have now the honor to forward herewith the following documents relating to the scheme in question, namely :■ —• 1. Memorial from a Committee appointed at a large public meeting held at Nelson Creek. 2. Letter from Mr. Frank Guinness, forwarding memorial. 3. Provincial Secretary's reply. I have, &c, Alfeed Geeenfield, The Under Secretary, Gold Fields. Provincial Secretary.

Enclosure 1 in No. 3. Mr. F. Guinness to Mr. A. Greenfield. Deae Sic, — Ahaura, 24th March, 1872. I do myself the honor of forwarding a memorial from the inhabitants of Nelson Creek, which resulted from the meeting held there yesterday. The meeting was very numerously attended, and most enthusiastic in adopting the views I ventured to suggest to them, which were, that it was preferable to get this important work done by the General Government funds than by a company, and to give expression to that opinion by a memorial addressed to you. 1 feel sure that this work will produce a very lasting benefit to the district, as all the miners say that there exist well known, and in many instances very rich, auriferous terraces, which are now impossible to touch with the present means at the disposal of the miners. I trust, therefore, your valuable assistance will be given to obtaining this very desirable object. I have, <&c, The Provincial Secretary, Nelson. F. Guinness.

Sub-Enclosure to Enclosure 1 in No. 3. Memobial of Minces at Nelson Creek. Sib,— Nelson Creek, 23rd March, 1872. We, the undersigned miners, residing in the Nelson Creek District, having heard that there is a probability of the General Government advancing the money necessary to construct the Nelson Creek water-race, according to the plans of Mr. Woollay's survey, from Lake Hochstetter, desire to express their opinion of the great benefit such a work, if completed, would confer on this district, which, although known to contain very extensive auriferous terraces, is at present to a great extent lying idle in consequence of the impossibility of obtaining a sufficient supply of water for sluicing purposes. We therefore respectfully request you, Sir, to use all the influence you can with the General Government to induce them to put this great and important work into immediate operation. We are convinced that it will be the means of causing a large increase to the population, and be a means of greatly improving the revenue and benefiting the inhabitants of the district. Signed on behalf of the meeting by the Committee appointed thereat, Balph Dawson. James Sinclaib. Feancis Beillt. James Hicks. The Provincial Secretary, Nelson. &c.

Enclosure 2 in No. 3. Mr. A. Geeenfield to Mr. F. Guinness. Sib,— Ahaura, 30th March, 1872. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 24th instant, enclosing a memorial from the Committee appointed at the public meeting held at Nelson Creek, for the purpose of considering the scheme recommended by the Nelson Government to be constructed under the