I.—4a

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81. For how long in wet weather would Cashman-'s dams run twenty-four heads ? —About as long as the Government race. 82. If these two miles and a quarter were widened sufficiently to carry twenty-four heads he would have twenty-four heads for a considerably longer time ?—No ; it would empty the dam sooner. If you use more water than a dam of limited capacity can hold it will get the sooner empty, and that is supposed to be provided against by raising the dam and making it hold a larger quantity. 83. Do you think a supply of twenty-four heads could be got there by raising the embankments of the reservoir?—lt really does that now, because the dam is filling during the night; but we might, instead of taking two parties at a time, take three. 84. You know the ground between the Hokitika Eoad and the beach ? —Yes. 85. Do you think any portion of that ground will be sluiced in time ? —I do. 86. What area do you think that ground to be? —About five or six miles. 87. About five miles by six would it not ? —No ; five miles by about four. 88. Are you of opinion that there is a great probability that it will be sluiced ?—I think a good deal of it will be in course of time. 89. Is that the general impression in the district ?—Yes; that is the general impression of those who have thought of it. 90. Is that your own opinion ?—I think a large portion of it will be worked. 91. Whereabouts is this 40 acres? Above the Teremakau Bridge ?—Below it, about oneeighth or a quarter of a mile. 92. Will any of these sludge-channels discharge into that ground? —No, none of these. 93. If you want to put in any sludge-channels lower down ?— Then that is the only part of the Teremakau into which you can discharge. 94. You could not discharge into the river without going on to it?— No. 95. If you want to bring in any tail-race below the Hokitika Eoad? —If there is a No. 6 channel going in at Kumara it must go down there. 96. Two pounds a head is what you charge for water at Kumara —the nominal charge ?—That is correct. 97. As a matter of fact, all that you receive is £110s. ?—Yes; that would be about it. 98. I see that last year you gave away about two thousand pounds' worth of your water ?—I forget exactly. 99. It is £1,901. How do you come to give this water away ? Is it your opinion that Holmes's water-race, if the Government bought it, would be a payable investment at the reduced rates you are getting for water?—l am not up in the financial position at all. I have only taken notice of it since I got the Chairman's telegram. I have never taken notice of what his revenues are. 100. You told us about £5 a day ?—About £4 recently, as far as I could see. 101. Is there any other means you are aware of by which an increased supply of water could be brought on to Kumara ?—No ; there are other means, but they are altogether out of reach. There are plenty of waters, but the cost would be too great. 102. Mr. o'Began.] Is there any disparity between the price paid for water to the Government and that paid to Holmes ?—Yes, in this way, we give very large measure, but only to that extent. And if claims are very poor we make reductions to them when it is absolutely necessary. 103. Do not you think the reason the miners are so anxious that the Government should acquire Holmes's race is that they believe they would receive more liberal treatment than from Mr. Holmes? —That is the position. 104. Do you think it absolutely necessary to acquire these 40 acres of freehold ?—I certainly consider they ought to go along with it. 105. As a tailing-site ? —Yes. 106. If it would be a fair question, how much do you think the whole of Holmes's property is worth?—lf I was a speculator in races, with no compunction about dragging all I could out of the miner, I would take all these things into consideration, but the Government, of course, does not do so. 107. Do not you think that Holmes, knowing of the monopoly, it in a position to dictate his terms?—l do not think so. The Government, so far as the water-supply is concerned, are totally independent. 108. If Holmes's race is acquired you think the mining interest in Kumara would get a fresh impetus? —Yes. 109. You have already expressed the opinion that the Government water is too dear ? —I think, instead of the Government giving away so much in free water, I would sooner see the price reduced. 110. Hon. Mr. Gadman.] What is the difference to the men at the end of the week?— They call it " begging," and they would rather, if they were able to do it, pay the money. For instance, if they come to me for free water I make them sign a declaration to the effect that they are only earning a certain amount of money, and they look on it as charitable aid. The men who can afford it pay the full price. 111. Would you do away with free water and reduce the price all round? —No ; but 1 would reduce the price considerably and limit the free water. There is one piece of information I should have given the Committee. There is the following piping belonging to the race : 1,250 ft. 30in., 1,700 ft. 19in., and 950 ft. 13in. in connection with the syphons. Not loose pipes, but in the race. 112. Mr. B. McKenzie.] Can you give us any idea of the cost of the race when constructed?— No, I could not; but it must have been a very large sum of money. 113. Gould you give an idea approximately?— I believe £20,000 was spent on the race. 114. Mr. G. H. Mills.] Since you received the telegram from the Chairman you have been right along the race ?—Yes, from end to end.