11

I.—4a

34. They say that when Nos. 4 and 5 channels are completed there will not be sufficient water by about 50-heads power to meet the deficiency of water that the Government can supply?—l have not gone into that. It would be impossible to calculate how much more water would be demanded if the channels were all at work, but there will be a greater demand for water when all the channels are open. 35. Will that demand be greater than the Government race can supply ? —I think it will. 36. This sub-committee of experts also says that two of those dams of Holmes's can be made at a moderate outlay to conserve a large quantity of water which now runs to waste during the wet weather. Is that your opinion?—lt is my opinion that this No. 3, or second in Bell's Creek, could, undoubtedly, be raised and a very great deal more water kept in it. 37. That would add to the supply of the fall ? —lt would add to the permanent supply. 38. They also suggest, and in fact you have also, that by widening the rest of the head-race, from the point where the widening ceases to the end, for about two miles and a half, a more rapid outflow of water would be obtained?—A larger body would be obtained, and the larger the body the more rapid it will flow on any grade. 39. They say it would cost about £100?—I,made no estimate. My estimate is -6250 for the deviation to connect Holmes's race with the Government one. 40. They say that the miners now purchasing water from Holmes would receive an immediate induction of 40 per cent, m the cost of water if this additional supply was brought in, and it would enable them to work ground it would not pay to work under the present conditions? —I do not exactly understand. A reduction in price does that mean? "To those miners now purchasing water from Mr. Holmes an immediate reduction of 40 per cent., thereby enabling them to work ground which could not be worked under present conditions. A reduction to those miners would also be a direct benefit to the district, as the purchasing-power of the miners would be increased, and the increased area made available for working by the reduction would give a longer lease of life to the field, and at the same time prevent a large number of miners being thrown on the labour market." I think that what they refer to there is that in the Government race we are in the habit of giving far better measure than Holmes gives, and I think that the reduction referred to there might refer to that, and not to a reduction to the extent of 40 per cent. 41. The reduction, at any rate, that they speak of here, they say, would be a direct benefit to the district, as it would enable them to work ground which at present they are unable to work? — That would mean they would get more water for the same money from the Government. 42. Do you agree with that opinion ?—That would be correct. 43. Have you formed any opinion or gone into the thing carefully enough to be able to give an accurate estimate as to whether the quantity of water now owned and supplied by the Government to the field is sufficient to provide all the miners who want to work Nos. 4 and 5 sludge-channels with water ?—lt would be impossible to form a fair estimate of that. 44. These miners in this petition allege that unless this water of Holmes's is brought to the assistance of the miners wanting to work Nos. 4 and 5 channels a large number will be shut out and not have the use of these channels ?—Yes ; Government water will be short. 45. Will not Holmes's water supply that deficiency?—lf the deficiency is to the extent of the quantity of water which falls short, certainly it will supply that deficiency ; if the deficiency is more than that, of course, it would not. 46. Hon. Mr. Gadman.] I presume that, whoever purchases the race, those 40 acres of tailing-site would have to go with it? —I should certainly say that it should go with the race. 47. What will it cost to raise that No. 3 dam of Holmes's ?—lt is in a peculiar place, but it would not cost a great deal to raise. The No. 3 dam has not only the by-wash alongside the embankment, but also the by-wash about the centre of the dam —about a quarter of a mile away. If the dam were raised the water could get away in two or three places, but these could be easily dammed and made up so that the dam would hold more water. 48. Then, with respect of the claims now being supplied with water from the Government race, how long will it be before some of them drop out ?—The extra water that was spoken of is to work Nos. 4 and 5 channels. 49. I mean, you have a certain amount of water now that you are disposing of from the Government race. —We supply two claims just close to the Kumara Township. 50. You do not quite understand what I mean. What I want to get at is this : I understand you to say you would require more water as you open up new ground, and what I want to bring out is, as to whether, by the time you have opened up No. 5, some of the other claims will not be worked out, and so relieve you?— Claims are constantly being worked out, but recently the miners are beginning to use more water. 51. Then, as to this 40-per-cent. reduction mentioned in the petition?— The idea is that they will get the same concession as they are now getting from the Government. 52. If that were done would the race bring in the same revenue as it is bringing now to Holmes ? —lt could not possibly do so. 53. There would be no water to spare? —Not unless they got extra water out of the Government race. 54. You say that the water, if the Government acquire it, cannot, you think, employ a larger number of men than are now employed ?—The water is on the field and available now, and I cannot see that the change with this water will make such a very great difference. 55. From your knowledge of the district and the surroundings generally do you think that if the Government were to acquire this race there would be an immediate agitation to reduce the price of water?—l believe there would be. 56. So that, in the event of the race being completed, the revenue from the whole race would not be increased?—l do not think it would. I might say that my own idea at present is that the Government price is too high. I have never expressed that opinion before, not even in Kumara,