D,—No 4 b

10

WATER SUPPLY ON GOLD '-FIELDS*

man, I think that were the present channel lengthened and built up with sods so as to confine the discharge at the tail ends of the race, and thence worked upwards, repairing where necessary the existing banks, the scour would itself free the channel from all silt. Branch tail races should then be brought in at oblique angles so as to avoid the formation of " bars" at their mouths. 16. The cost of these works is estimated at from £1,000 to £1,200 in addition to the £500 required by No. 1 Company. Both sluicers and townsfolk express a willingness to contribute to the expense in the proportion of £1 to £2. If this be carried out the cost to the Government will be slight indeed as compared with the great benefits anticipated to the District from the proposed channel. 17. I was specially desired by the Miners' Committee to report that the same evil as now exists in Roach's Gully is now in course of creation in Enterprise and Wet gullies, where sod wing dams are placed across the gully to check the free flow of tailings and strain off the tail water. I have no doubt but that these and other gullies will be soon choked up if this course is permitted. But this is a matter so entirely within the Warden's jurisdiction, that I refrain from further comment thereon. I have, &c, Vincent Pyke, R.M., The Secretary of Land and Works, Dunedin. Commissioner.