a—3

24

same period; but in connection with the working of the latter race there was a considerable loss on maintaining the sludge-channel, which is now maintained by the miners on consideration of the Government granting money for the reconstruction of a portion of the channel at a higher level, so as to enable them to have sufficient dump for tailings.

Number of Days Water was lost, for Year ending 31st March, 1896, through Holidays and Scarcity of Water, Kumara Water-race.

Mount Ida Watek-eace. Last winter being the most severe that has been ever experienced since the goldfields were first opened was the cause of a great deal of material coming in from the sides of the race—no water being in the race for twelve weeks in midwinter. As soon as the thaw commenced the race was cleaned out from beginning to end. On the Ist September water was admitted into the race, and since that date up to Christmas there was a plentiful supply, but since Christmas up to the present time the supply has gradually dwindled down, there being very little rain in the district during that period. At the time of my visit there was only a little over two-thirds of the ordinary supply in the race. Taking into consideration the shallow ground on this goldfield, which is far from being rich, the irregular supply of water interferes considerably with the earnings of the miners. During my visit several of the miners waited upon me with a view of representing the necessity of constructing a dam at Eweburn. No doubt this dam would hold a considerable supply of water, and could easily be filled when the snow was melting, and during times of flood, but it would cost a considerable sum to construct. The survey of this site was made many years ago by Mr. Brown, the county engineer, and plans were sent in for embankments 50ft. and 70ft. high respectively. Upon examining the site for this dam it will be found that a considerable expenditure of money will be necessary to get good foundations, especially on the eastern side of the Eweburn Creek, and. in order to make a 70ft. embankment it will have to be carried a considerable length on that side to get to ground having a sufficient elevation. On the western side there is almost vertical rock, and it is on this side where a by-wash would have to be constructed. The cost of this reservoir was estimated by Mr. Brown as about £12,000, but it seems very questionable—taking into consideration the difficulty of obtaining a good foundation, and material for forming the embankment —whether the amount mentioned is not too low. The whole of the material required would have to be carted on with drays; but from an examination of the ground it seems doubtful whether sufficient clay with which to construct the puddle wall in the centre of the embankment could be obtained in the immediate vicinity. No doubt if this dam was constructed it would largely increase the supply; but there is very little possibility of any of the capital expended in its construction ever being returned. With regard to the supply in the main race, the work done at the various creeks when the race was taken over by Government has materially increased the supply in comparison to what it originally was ; and it has been found that the manner in which the weirs were constructed across the creek-beds has answered admirably ; and the gates which were placed at all these creek-cross-ings have prevented a great deal of shingle that was in these creek-beds from being earrie'd along the race. There are four maintenance-men employed on the race, which is seventy miles in length, and two additional men, who turn water on and off for the miners, and also do a certain amount of maintenance on the lower part of the race. The following statement will show the revenue derived from sales of water, the expenditure on

Month. Holidays. No Water for Channels. No Water for Private Races. 1895. April May June July August ... September October ... November December 2 8 4 6 9 "i "7 January ,., February March ... 1896. "8 6 "2 6 Totals 18 •10