I.—4a.

1895. NEW ZEALAND.

GOLDFIELDS AND MINES COMMITTEE. REPORTS ON THE PETITION OF KUMARA MINERS' ASSOCIATION; TOGETHER WITH COPY OF THE PETITION, DEPARTMENTAL REPORT THEREON, AND EVIDENCE.

Brought up on the 9th and 25th October in the House of Representatives, and ordered to be printed.

Eepoet No. 1. No. 10. —Petition of the Executive of the Kumaea Minces' Association. Petitioneks pray that the dams, water rights, and head-races of Okuku Water-race, Kumara, owned by Mr. James Holmes, may be purchased by the Government, in order to assist in the development of the mining interests of the district. The Goldfields and Mines Committee, having carefully considered the questions involved in the petition of the Executive of the Kumara Miners' Association, have the honour to report that in their judgment it is desirable further inquiries be made by the Mining Department so as to verify the statements which have been submitted as to the income at present derived from, and also in regard to the prospects of the future profitable employment of, Holmes's water-race, and if such statements are substantiated the Committee recommend that the water-race, and the freehold section held in connection therewith, be purchased by the Government. 9th October, 1895. Eepoet No. 2. The Goldfields and Mines Committee have the honour to report that they recommend that the petition of the Executive of the Kumara Miners' Association, together with the report of the Mining Department thereon, be printed. 25th October, 1895.

The Petition of the Executive of the Kumara Miners' Association relative to the suggested Purchase by the Government of the Okuku (Holmes's) Water-race, together with the Eeport of the Mines Department thereon; to which is attached the Evidence taken upon the Subject by the Goldfields and Mines Committee, and the Eeport of the said Committee. To the Hon. the Members op the House op Bepeesentatives in Paeliament assembled. Gentlemen, —In pursuance of a petition from thirty-five miners of this field, and of a request from the public as conveyed to us through a resolution carried at a public meeting, held in the Town Hall, Kumara, on the 24th July of this year, we, the undersigned members of the Kumara Miners' Association, respectfully ask your favourable consideration to the following proposal, viz.:— That Government be authorised to purchase the water-rights, dams, and head-races known as the Okuku Water-race, and owned by Mr. James Holmes. That the property consists of four dams, with head-races, syphons, &c, and all plant connected therewith, and the sum asked by Mr. Holmes is £6,000. The whole property, so far as can be ascertained, is in first-class order and condition. The carrying-capacity of the head distributing-race is twenty-four heads per day of twelve hours. With an outflow of twenty-four heads per day these dams, when full, hold six months' water. Eeckoning the year at 280 working-days, and allowing the price obtained for water from this race would be £2 per head, the net receipts—after allowing £200 for maintenance and £300 for staff expenses—would be £2,556 per annum. But as, if the race were purchased by Government, all parties using water therefrom would be charged at the same rate as those now connected with the Government race, and as the price paid last year for Government water amounted to only £1 10s. per head, the actual yearly receipts, clear of all expenses, may be set down at £1,298. Final Bemarks. Upon receipt by the Kumara Miners' Association of a petition signed by thirty-five miners now using Mr. Holmes's water, urging the purchase of his race by Government, a sub-committee was appointed to inquire into and report on the question of water-supply on this field, with a view of ascertaining whether an increase of water would be necessary when the two channels now in course of construction are completed, and also to obtain information as to whether, in the event of the Government purchasing Mr. Holmes's property, a ready market would be available for the water. I—l. 4a.