D.—3a

Sess. 11.—1884. NEW ZEALAND.

THE KUMARA SLUDGE-CHANNEL (PAPERS RELATING TO THE COST OF).

Laid on the Table by the Hon. Mr. Stout with the leave of the House.

Memobandum for the Hon. the Minister of Mines. In accordance with your instructions I send you copies of the correspondence as to the cost of construction of the Waimea-Kumara Water-race and Sludge-channel, to be laid on the table of the House. This correspondence contains Mr. Gordon's report and Mr. Pyke's letter with reference thereto. I desire to point out that Mr. Pyke's letter of the 6th November contains strong expressions of opinion on his part, and I think that the statement that Mr. Gordon "must have misled the Committee deliberately " is rather a harsh one to make, as I am sure that nothing could have been further from his intention than to have misled the Committee on any question which was submitted to him. I am informed by those who know the locality that Mr. Gordon is quite correct in his statement'that the Waimea-Kumara Water-race and Sludge-channel can only be satisfactorily worked together ; and if the Committee had wanted information on that point I am sure Mr. Gordon would have supplied it. Of course, it was not known until the report of the Committee was brought up that it was proposed to divide the management of the water-race and sludge-channel. I forward herewith also petition from Alexander Millar and 61 miners on the subject of priority of rights and increased channel accommodation, with a further report by Mr. Gordon. These documents I recommend to be also presented, in continuation of other correspondence on the subject. H. J. H. Eliott. Bth November, 1884.

The Chairman, Gold Fields and Mines Committee, to the Hon. the Ministee of Mines. Sic,- — Gold Fields and Mines Committee-room, 23rd October, 1884. As Chairman of the Gold Fields and Mines Committee, I have the honour to request that you will ascertain from Mr. Gordon, Inspecting Engineer of the Mines Department, the meaning of the second paragraph in his report,* namely : " The Kumara Water-race and Sludge-channel are only a small portion of the water-races belonging to the Government in this locality, and they are all so connected together that it is impossible to separate the one from the other. Therefore, if the recommendations of the Gold Fields Committee are given effect to, it means handing over the whole of the Waimea-Kumara Water-race and Sludge-channel—works that have cost in construction £173,143 11s.. Bd." What are the works estimated at £173,143 ? These were not even referred to by Mr. Gordon when before the Committee, and the statement in Mr. (Jordan's report comes as a surprise to members of Committee. The " collateral advantages," so-called, go to the local bodies now, and any change in the management will not alter their final disposition. I have, &c, Vincent Pyke, The Hon. the Minister of Mines. Chairman, Gold Fields and Mines Committee.

The Hon. the Minister of Mines to the Chaieman, Gold Fields and Mines Committee. Sic, — Mines Department, Wellington, 27th October 1884. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your_ letter of the 23rd instant. In reply, I transmit for your information a copy of a report by Mr*- Gordon, Inspecting Engineer, showing the cost of the different works in connection with the construction of the WaimeaKumara Water-race and Sludge-channel. I have, &c, The Chairman, Gold Fields Committee, J. Ballance, House of Eepresentatives, Wellington. Minister of Mines.

* See Parliamentary Paper D.-3., Sess. 11., 1884,