Historical Notes - Surface Hill - Bodens Water Races - Smythesdale Mines (Updated 2023)
DIGGGING THE RACES AND DAMS
The Enfield Forest race network is a catch water system that transports water from various catchment areas via dams, around the land contours from valley to valley, terminating at gold sluicing areas. The races were hand dug by the miners who worked for the company that the race served. They were generally dug during times of mining inactivity due to lack of water. (mid to late summer) Each race was required to be registered and surveyed by the government surveyor, before it could be dug. The registration fees depended on the volume of water that the system could be expected to deliver.
The system was usually constructed over several years, with sections being completed seasonally. The forest at that time would have been thinned of trees due to the hunger for timber for steam engines, mine shoring, and domestic use, hence water run off would have been considerable.
The miners would use a theodolite to site a horizontal line from a particular point. Some distance away. another person would hold a post marked at the same height as the theodolite eyepiece. He moves the post from side to side up and down the slope until the position of the marker on the post is slightly below the line of horizontal site from the theodolite. This spot would be pegged, and the theodolite would be brought up to this new position, and the process repeated. The fall between the two points is generally 1:500. Any steeper would create erosion, and any shallower would create silting.
The earth removed from the race was always placed on the downside of the race, so as not to inhibit any water run off on the upside. Dams were dug using manual labour with the help of horse and drays, and horse drawn scrapers. Before construction, the outlet pipe and shut off valve would be located and set in position. Due to their value, the pipes and valves were generally removed from the dam wall for reuse, after the dam had served its purpose. This left a breach in the dam wall, which can be observed at many of the dams in the Enfield Forest system. The scrapes produced by excavating earth for the wall are a feature of all the dams.
One can only imagine the conditions under which the miners laboured, as most dams and races were dug over the summer period. Some miner's sole responsibility was to maintain the races by removing silt, containing leaks, monitoring for theft, and providing a steady flow as required at the mining site.
GOLD SLUICING
Gold is formed deep in the earth in quartz rock by heat and pressure. Some of the quartz reefs become exposed due to earth movement and erosion. Over time, the quartz is washed into the rivers where due to the abrasive action in the riverbed, the quartz breaks down, and the gold separates and collects in the nooks, crannies, and still sections of the river. Geological action sees the rivers covered, where the gold lays awaiting discovery.
The extraction of gold depends on one simple property; the density of the element. When gold is mixed in solution, it will always separate due to its weight. Sluicing involves reducing the gravel, or wash, in the old riverbed to a slurry by mixing it with water. To achieve this, the water can be either mixed with the gravel by running it over the wash and eroding the gold bearing material, or it can be shot from a high-pressure hose on to the cliff, exposing and eating away the old riverbed. The slurry is run through a sluice box, which is a wooden channel containing a base with a ridged surface that traps the heavier gold. The gold bearing wash is then removed from the bottom of the box and further treated to extract the gold. Sluice boxes can range from: (a) a small cradle operated by one or two individuals. (b) A medium sized box operated by 2-3 people called a Tom; or (c)a 10-20-metre-long box built into the ground, processing many tons of gravel an hour, consuming hundreds of litres of water per minute, and operated by many workers. In this fashion whole hillsides have been washed away, leaving huge, eroded gullies and cliff faces, and piles of discarded quartz stones, the remnants from the old riverbeds. Examples of these operations can be seen at Surface Hill and Watson's Hill.
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SMYTHESDALE MINING INTELLIGENCE.
Star (Ballarat, Vic.: 1855 - 1864), Monday 11 July 1859, page 4
THE ROXBURGH CASTLE.
This lead assumes a very lively appearance, from the prospecting claim as far as the Roman Catholic old school-house Great preparations are going on, and the slabs that will be required by most of the claims are ready on the ground while shanty-building and the raising of stages over the shafts is carried on on all of them, and there are a few sinking. Between the prospectors and the Nugget Hotel, the first eight or ten claims are busily preparing, building shanties or procuring slabs, &c" while meetings are held every morning on some of the other claims, As far as we have been able to ascertain, the cause of work being commenced so simultaneously on the whole length of the lead is to be attributed to an order, or rather a recommendation of the Warden's, that all the claims who would not move to work without delay should be open to be taken ur by others than the original shareholders.. The prospectors have been engaged during the week in putting up their whim, and we believe no work was done below.
THE ARGYLE. -
By present appearance this lead is likely to be of as much importance as the Roxburgh Castle. The length of the gully is about a mile, with another gully branching off to the right, in the direction of Ross's Creek. The prospecting claim is situated just above the German's dam. The depth of their shaft is about sixty feet.
BRITANNIA.
-This short lead received a check in the opening of the Roxburgh Castle and Argyle leads.
The claims from No. 3 to No. 8 are abandoned. Nos. 1 and 2 continue to work, and yesterday were in the drift with their second shaft, being down over 60 feet. The other two claims were likewise at work. The Britannia Company are reported to be well satisfied with their dividends, being from £5 to £7 per week.
RED, WHITE, AND BLUE
The first five or six claims on this lead continue to yield the precious metal in abundance. The Cuckoo mob, better known as Stevenson and party, who took part of the prospecting claim, washed up to Wednesday night about 200 ounces; it is expected they will receive about £100 per man this week. Nos. 1 and 2 had not at the time of our visit got fairly into their paddock; on Wednesday they found a nugget of seven ounces. Nos- 3 and 4 shared last week £23 per man, and yesterday evening they had over 130 ounces on account of this week. Nos. 5 and 6 are making good wages. Nos. 7 and 8 are talking of giving up, they can find nothing to pay. Nos. 9 and 10 are making good wages. Also Nos. 11 and 12 are in good hopes of being well paid: at present this is the last at work.
BROWNS, -
On Brown's a great number of men are idle in consequence of the injunction and their endless litigation. A great number of storekeepers and bank agents are reported to have visited this locality and intend erecting business premises there. The Union and the National banks, with a broker for the Bank of Australasia have already established there. It is rumoured also that the Bank of New South Wales, the Oriental, and others are about establishing either on the Township or the North Britain. We were told that the Union Bank intend establishing an agency also at Italian Gully.
ITALIAN GULLY. -
Black Ball. This week this lead is getting into favour, and reports from it are very encouraging. The Staffordshire Reef continues to improve, several new claims have been taken up the last week or so. A party of prospectors are at work on the Brown's side of Watson's hill; they have bottomed one shaft at 60 feet and are down 40 feet with the second. We are told that a prospecting claim is also about to be taken up at the back of the Eldorado Hotel, with the expectation of a lead coming from Watson's Gully and the Surface Hill.
VALUATION OF BODENS INFRASTRUCTURE
Ballarat Star (Vic.: 1865 - 1924), Tuesday 6 August 1878, page 4
Some few months since the owner, Mr Thomas. Boden, died, and, with the view of securing the rights for the public, I waited upon his widow, and had a promise from her that should she decide to put it in the market, I should have the first offer. Last week she called according to promise, and now comes the question of purchase. Will you be so good as to report on this matter and express an opinion as to the value of the water-right in connection with the water-supply scheme to Smythesdale, Browns, and Scarsdale.’ You are authorised to send in an account for your reasonable expenses in this matter. (Signed) Thomas. Couchsun, Secretary for Mines.
John Lynch, Esq., Mining Surveyor, Smythesdale.” “Mining Surveyor’s office, Smythesdale, 13th May 1878. Sir, —Referring to your letter of the 6th May 1878, No. 1009, I have the honour to report that the main dams and reservoirs in question are situated at Ross’ Creek, about three and a half miles east of the township of Smythesdale. The site is not a good one, but it is the best in the locality. The supply of water must ever remain dependent on the rainfall, there being no springs, drifts, or other sources of supply within the catchment area.' The site of the reservoirs may simply be described as a depression within an expanse of undulating ground and is not as favourable as may be wished for the storage of a deep body of water. There are two races leading the water to the surfacing claims at Watson’s Hill and Surface Hill, distant respectively from the dams six miles and three and a half miles. In the first there are 1161 feet of fluming, and in the other 1924 feet, used for the purpose of crossing rather deep valleys. Along the races there are four or five dams, rather small ones, into which the drainage of the ranges along the races is diverted, and these are used as feeders to the main races. Almost the whole of the rainwater along the line is thus utilised, yet the supply is limited, and it is during wet seasons and after heavy showers that the sluicing operations can be carried on. The distance from Watson's Hill to Scarsdale is between two and three miles, and from Surface Hill to Smythesdale about one mile. No levels have been taken between the site of the main dam and either of these places. There is a regular fall the greater part of the way, broken here and there by abrupt falls, so that I think the difference of level between, the dams and either Is not under. 200 feet. I estimate the original cost of the dams, fluming, races, etc, to be £1000, from which a reduction ought to be made for deterioration in the fluming, which has been erected for some eight years. Then, again, there is the value of the water-right and the mining claims to be added, property which in the hands of a skilful sluicer, such as the late Mr Boden was, would be, very Valuable. 1 believe, that Mr Boden in bis lifetime would not have parted with this property for £1660, but his widow, believing that it would involve risk on her part to continue operations where a less skilful hand than her late husband would have the management, has, I am informed, decided to sell, if she can, and for a price not far exceeding £8OO.
SMYTHESDALE, SCARSDALE, AND BROWNS WATER SUPPLY.
SUITABILTY ASSESSMENT
Ballarat Star (Vic. : 1865 - 1924), Friday 13 December 1878, page 4
The following is Mr Lutz’s report to the Secretary for Mines on the scheme of water supply as propounded for the above boroughs, which has been supplied to Mr Bird, M.L.A Water-Supply Office, Ballarat, 25th October,' 1878.
Sir, —In accordance. with your instructions, I visited, on the 17th ult., the boroughs of Smythesdale and Scarsdale to report-on a proposed scheme for the supply of water for sluicing operations on certain hills in this locality, and. for the supply eventually of the above-mentioned places for domestic purposes and beg to submit herewith the results of my inspection, surveys, and enquiries affecting this scheme as follows; —At Surface Hill; Watson’s Hill, and Hardie’s Hill, in the said locality, sluicing operations have been and are at present successfully carried on by private companies notwithstanding the fact of the present supply of water to these-places being a very limited one, owing to the inefficient state of the races and storage dams, and the small capacity of the latter constructed for the purpose at Ross’ Creek, which permit of sluicing. operations on some parts of the hills being earned on during a few months only in the year. A much better result would be obtained from these operations if a good and permanent supply of water could be secured; as may be done either by the enlarging: and improving of the present dams, or by the construction of one or more new reservoirs of larger capacity at suitable places, -and by-the improvement of the existing races or the construction of new ones. The present owners of the water-right, dams, races, etc. are not able to carry out the required improvements on account of the considerable cost but are willing to sell the whole at a reasonable price. The attention of the. councils of the above-mentioned boroughs has been drawn to the matter; they have been promised the preference in the event of a sale, and I believe, would be willing to purchase the same with the view of effecting the necessary improvements Of the dams and races, so that all payable ground could be worked, and thereby a considerable increase made to the revenues of the district;, and- a profitable employment , of a number of its inhabitants secured, providing such improvements could be made at a reasonable outlay. For the purpose of ascertaining the feasibility and probable cost of the necessary works, I inspected, the present, storage dams at Ross’ Creek, their drainage area, the different races. deeding the water to the sluicing ground, and also the sluicing ground itself, and took- the necessary levels, after which I came to the following conclusions: —The best available watershed which can be utilised for sluicing operations at. Surface Hill, Watson’s Hill, and Hardy’s Hill is at Ross’ Creek, where two dams, with a total storage capacity of about 30 million gallons have been constructed by private parties for that purpose. They have an elevation of 340 feet' and 350 feet respectively above the Smythesdale Post-office and are about -200 feet above the highest sluicing-ground, and command a drainage area of over four-square miles, but as their embankments have been constructed in a very primitive manner, a large quantity of water is lost by leakage, and only a small amount of the available rainfall is conserved. They are also very unfavourably situated, and in order to store; a large body of water, long and expensive embankments would have to-be constructed. A good site for a reservoir can be obtained at the head of Daddy’s' Gully, where a large and deep basin can be formed, by the construction of a short embankment. This reservoir would have a small direct watershed, but at moderate cost catch-drains from Ross’ Creek' could be cut, which would intercept the drainage of more than five square miles, and lead it to this reservoir, where over, 100 million gallons could be stored, and such a body of water, with an elevation of fully 150 feet above, the sluicing ground, and distant from there about one, two and teo and a half miles respectively, would no doubt, be a great acquisition, as it would allow the carrying on of the sluicing operations for a great part of the year if good; arrangements for the distribution of the water to the different places were made. The races leading from the dams at Ross’ Creek to Watson’s, and Surface Hill run through the site of this proposed reservoir so that portions of them could be utilised as catch drains, and only a few chains of new races would have to be cut, and by these means the existing races would be again made serviceable throughout, as also the few small dams constructed on their courses, and which conserve the rainfall along the line. Hard Hills could also be connected with this basin without great expense. For the purpose of supplying Smythesdale with water for domestic use, if would be only necessary to construct filter-beds or, a small pipe-head reservoir in the lower, part of Daddy’s Gully, and connect either of them by means of an open race with the large, reservoir on the top of the said gully, and from whence the water could be conveyed in pipes to the town, and as the storage dam would have an elevation of fully 300 feet above Smythesdale Post-office, a much lower, site could be selected for the filter-beds or a pipe-head reservoir, thereby shortening the pipe track to about one mile and a half, which would still, have a sufficient elevation to afford a good pressure in the town. I would therefore recommend the construction of this large reservoir as being, by far preferable to the making of improvements on existing works, which, as I have pointed out, are most unfavourably situated, and would cost as much to put into a thorough state of repair, as the, construction of new works in Daddy’s Gully and works in connection therewith I estimate at about, £3500.-
THE WATER-SUPPLY QUESTION AT SMYTHESDALE.
Ballarat Star (Vic. : 1865 - 1924), Tuesday 21 January 1879, page 4
On Friday evening a public meeting of ratepayers was held in the Council Chamber, Smythesdale, to consider the question of a water-supply. Mr H. Procter, the mayor, took the chair, and said that they were met to consider the report of Mr. Lutz on the water-supply question, and on the decision of the ratepayers the council would abide. Mr Lutz’s report was here read by the town clerk and has already appeared in these columns. The mayor said that he would be happy to hear any person who had anything to say on the subject, and he trusted that every person would, as was usually the case in Smythesdale, receive a fair hearing. Mr Syer would like to hear the originator or originators of the scheme say something on the subject, as at present they were all in the dark. After a long pause Mr J. Keith said that he was not the originator of the scheme, but they had received a letter from the Scarsdale Council on the subject, and he had been, deputed one of s committee to represent the Smythesdale Council in conjunction with the other council, where it originated. The scheme was a supply of water' for mining and domestic purposes and being asked to co-operate he went to Scarsdale to a meeting, when it was resolved to unite; and being anxious to secure a supply he brought the matter under the notice of the-Minister of Mines with others and he promised to visit the ground, and did so, and then promised to send an officer to report on the matter. This had been done, and they had heard the report read that night. Since then, nothing had been done, and the council agreed to have a meeting of the ratepayers and ascertain if they were in favour of the scheme as propounded, so that they could now act for themselves. He had a list showing what he conceived to be the advantages derivable from this scheme, which he would read, and he trusted that they all had the interest of the borough at heart. He might end his days amongst them and was not a bird of passage. It had been said by some parties that a certain person, would benefit to the extent of £200 by negotiating the sale of Mrs Boden’s dams, and that she wanted £1050 for such property. At all events, Mrs Boden’s property was the only available locality from whence they could secure a water supply, and if they could get it now for £3500, he thought it would be cheap. (A laugh.) He. was not in favour of taxing himself unless he thought the scheme would pay, and every person who used the water undoubtedly would have to pay for it. All that they wanted was to get the money, and he thought that it would be a blessing to them if all could use it, miners and others. He would read for them a printed statement on the matter, and he hoped that if some persona did benefit by the scheme to the extent of a couple of hundreds of pounds that such would be no objection to it. (He then proceeded to read, from an anonymous printed slip without a printer’s name which had been circulated during the day in every house in the borough, a glowing picture of Smythesdale, which would blossom like the rose, provided the scheme were carried out.) In conclusion, Mr Keith said that he might be defeated, but he hoped that they would all consider their neighbours as well as their own interests. He had examined Mrs Boden’s dams, and they were dilapidated, and would not contain water, for as soon as a shower came it immediately disappeared, and it required a second shower to make up for the first shower’s fall, as the first visibly had disappeared. By the second fall they would have water enough for all of Smythesdale, Scarsdale, and Browns. He would listen to every person who bad anything to say on the subject and be hoped that those who would speak would show that they bad the interest of the borough at heart. (Hear, hear.) The mayor said that he would be most happy to hear any other person who had anything to say on the subject. Mr Syer—We have not been told a word how it's proposed to raise the money. The mayor thought that the Government should or ought to supply what was wanted. Mr Keith said no doubt the work would, have to be done by money. They needed £3500 at present, and probably the scheme would take £6000 for all he knew, and if they looked about them, they would see that Ballarat obtained £75,000 for water. They wanted the loan of £6000 and they were entitled to it, so that they did not want it for nothing, as he thought that the water-supply would pay for itself. They would not be afraid to ask for more even, and go in debt, and if they were in debt they would be respected. (Shouts of laughter.) Mr Shepheard said that according to Mr Lutz's report it required £3500 to make the dam in Daddy’s Gully, and he calculated that they would then have a hundred million gallons of water, or as much as a 4-inch pump would pump in a year. The dam would fill, and more than fill, and it - might pay, but he was doubtful of the payment of the money, even if they took into consideration the £1800, they would have to pay as compensation, or at least what was asked. Mr Keith said that they bad only Mrs Boden to deal with, and they did not acknowledge any other claims. Mr Shepheard said that half a dwt to the tub would pay, but if there were large claims, they only would benefit. (A voice — “All hands.") If they could use water, by hydraulic pressure they would be largely benefited. Mr Syer—Then you would not employ many men. In reply to Mr Hoare, a very intelligent sluicer, Mr Shepheard said that the hydraulic pressure would do the work instead of the pick and shovel. (Cries of “Oh that’s it.”) Mr Shepheard continued to say that no doubt if they had water one thing was inevitable, the insurance would be less on the buildings. Mr Gilhooley wished to say that he was in favour of Mr Lutz’s scheme, and they only wanted to know the wish of the ratepayers on this subject, and it now rested with them to say whether they wanted the water or not. Mr Schwartz—Die gradually. (Laughter.) Mr Gilhooley continued to say that Mr Lutz was delighted with Daddy's Gully. Mr Bang— Where is it? Mr Gilhooley—Within a mile of Boden’s dam. Now they could say whether they wanted it or the other thing. (Laughter.) Mr Hoare said that there was a difficulty in ascertaining the area of drainage mentioned in Mr Lutz's report, and. he would like it to be read again by the town clerk. Mr Keith said the area was 9 square miles. A ratepayer alleged that Mr Lutz in his report mentioned the area as 5 square miles. The town clerk here read the report, which showed only 5 square miles inclusive of the Ross' Creek dams and the Daddy’s Gully dam. Mr Keith here apologised for the mistake, as he was under a wrong impression. Mr Hoare said that it would be morally impossible to have a million gallons of water from this area of dry ranges, as mentioned in Mr Lutz's report. Mr Keith said that Mrs Boden’s dams were constructed on the surface, and only held thirty million gallons. Mr Hoare said that the late Mr Boden had informed him that he had puddled the dams. If he could see his way, he would support the scheme or anything approaching thereto, but he could not see its utility or practicability as laid before them, especially for sluicing purposes. Mr Baker, a non-ratepayer, thought that Mr Hoare did not hear the printed statement read by Mr Keith. Mr Hoare thought nothing of that statement, as it was anonymous, and not authenticated by any person. He knew, as a sluicer, that they would not have anything like the quantity of water calculated on in that paper. Mr Keith said that it was by industry that the scheme would pay. Mr Bang said that it was easy to perceive that the sluicers were more than doubtful of the scheme, and as a tradesman in the town he saw that the scheme was too large, and the success of it, exceedingly doubtful. The revenue in the borough was getting less every day, and the houses were being carted away. No doubt they all wanted water, and the first thing the council ought to do was to get a cheap supply for domestic purposes. Let them look around them, every place had water but Smythesdale. The statements set forth in the printed document read were fallacious so far as the supply of water and the revenue to be derived therefrom were concerned, for the sluicers for some time during the year had water of their own, when their dams were filled, and would not require to buy from them. If the water could be supplied all of the year round, they would make a small revenue, but it could not; The neighbouring shires and boroughs were supplied with water without anything like a special rate, and they should have it also on the same conditions. (Cheers.) Half of the cost of the dams and works were not mentioned in the printed circular, neither was there anything said about the cost of pipes and fluming, nor other necessary works. Mr Keith said that Mr Bang was a long time in the council and did "nothing for a water-supply, and as Mr Bang was about to leave the district, he did not require the water. He wanted the water for the men who were going to remain with them, and if the water could be collected, it could be easily taken to where required without pipes. Mr Bang said that he was sorry to see the personalities in which Mr Keith had. indulged. He was in no hurry to leave the town, and when he was, they would hear of it. When he was in the council, he had attempted to get a water-supply which was practicable, and had an estimate of the expense made, which was on a scale that could he accomplished, and which would benefit the whole town. But Me Keith would do nothing but go in for the purchase of Tait's dam the water in which was not suitable for any purpose whatever. He had a right as a ratepayer to his opinions, which were not influenced by any consideration, as well as Mr Keith. - - (Hear, hear.} Mr Keith said that Mr Bang always threw cold water on anything that was for the good of the town-, Mr Baker thought that Mr Hoare's objections could be got over. Mr Hoare said that he thought otherwise. It was sheer nonsense to talk about pipes and thousands of pounds and about Boden’s dams not holding water. A deep drain could be cut around them and puddled up, and then they might be able to pay interest on the money; "'To talk of thousands of pounds was nonsense and looking at all the charges—£3500 for the dam at Daddy’s Gully and £1050 to Mrs Boden - it was not likely that the miners would carry pipes and flaming across gullies and hills without expense, and if a water-supply was required, let them buy up the old dams, and let them out to the miners, and then they might make something. Mr Keith’s report would not hold water and was highly coloured, as it was nonsense to talk of having sixty-two sluice-heads all the year - round in dry ranges. (Applause.) Mr Watson, another prominent sluicer, said that he could endorse every word said by Mr Hoare. Mr Syer thought that the anonymous document without a printer’s name, read by Mr Keith, was also fallacious. It did hot show them or state where the money was to come from, or who was to pay, and he understood that these documents had been circulated through the town that afternoon. There was no signature, no heading, nor no printer, and an advertisement of a coaching firm was tacked to the end. -He would like to know who was to pay the expense, or if the ratepayers would have to do so. Mr. Keith said that the document would be paid for. Mr Jones said that years ago he had moved in the matter of purchasing Boden’s dams, when they could be had for £200, he went to Mrs Boden, and found that she how wanted' £1050, and whether they endorsed the matter or not the councils would go without, them. Let them leave out Mr Lutz’s report and secure the water-rights from Mrs Boden and have them vested in the public. Mr Baker said that it was wrong to have one person monopolise the ground. (A Voice—“lt is all worked out now.") " Mr Hoare would have no objection to secure the water-right for the public. The mayor was never sanguine on the subject, land was not now, as they would have a special water rate to make, and if they could not pay, then hand over the works to. the Government. In his opinion, the works in their entirety would cost £10,000 and they were not in a position to meet this expenditure and be did not believe in getting the money from Government and then say that they could not pay, as it, would be like repudiation. The Ross'. Creek dams, he thought, might pay. As it was getting late (11 p.m.), he would ask them if they bad any motion to propose? After a considerable pause Mr Clarke would like to say that as a ratepayer, he was sorry that no scheme had been proposed to show how the, money could be raised. Only one party had been mentioned that night as claiming compensation for water-rights; but he was present in the Scarsdale Council when Mrs Boden’s letter was read claiming £1050; Moore and party; and the. Hard Hills party, and their claims were £400 and £350 respectively, as set forth in their letters to the council, after being asked and waited upon to know how much they would take. Every one of these three parties had legal claims which could not be ignored, as they had dams and water-rights, and were engaged in sluicing when they had water, which all came from or. near the same source. With Mr Lutz’s estimate for the dam at Daddy’s Gully, and the three claims alluded to, the total expenditure would reach £5300 that they were aware of; but the Minister of Mines under the Public Works Statute had power to take land, or say the Government, for “railways, reservoirs, and other public works,” and the question of compensation for any. rights taken for any of these purposes was determined by valuators appointed, one by the Government, and the other by the parties seeking compensation, and generally an umpire was appointed to settle any differences if the arbitrators could not agree. In this manner Major Smith had taken possession of Mr F. Baker’s water-rights to secure water, for the miners at the White Horse Ranges. He also leased Mr Fisken’s dam to secure water for mining and domestic purposes at Elaine and be was now engaged in getting a supply for Egerton and Gordon, and other places. Some years ago, a grant, was given by the then Government for a water-supply down at Newtown, and the inhabitants were not specially taxed in either place for these supplies, inasmuch as the moneys came from an annual vote for the supply of the goldfields with water, which could be seen on reference to the Estimates. Under these circumstances he thought that the council should obtain a grant in like manner, as it was well known that the ratepayers of this district were not in a position to bear more than the ordinary borough taxation. He would move a motion to this effect, as he had seen nothing practicable come out of the meeting. Mr Hoare would second the motion. Mr Jones then moved— “That the’ matter of securing the water-rights be left in the bands of the two councils." Mr Keith seconded. The mover and seconder of the original motion withdrew the same, and the motion of Mr Jones was agreed to, it being understood that the councils would press the purchase on the Government. A vote of thanks to the mayor concluded the business.
Researched and compiled by Andrew Parker 2020. Updated 2023
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