THE MINISTER FOR MINES.

Auckland Star, Volume XL, Issue 51, 1 March 1909, Page 6

THE MINISTER FOR MINES.

VISIT TO COROMAXDEL AND THAM.ES (By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent) THAMES, Saturday. This morning, at Coromandel, the Hon. R. McKenzie, Minister for Mines, was deputatiouised by the County Council. Captain Swindley, chairman of the County Council, congratulated the Minister upon his appointment to the portfolios o{ Public Works and Mines, and then laid some of the most pressing needs of the Coromandel district betore him. lie urged a grant towards the completion of the Coromaudel-Mercury Bay road. There was a gap, he said, which required completing in order that tne two centres might be connected by means of a good road. The distance required ■was about two miles, and would cost about £2500. In reply to the Minister it was stated that £2800 had already been spent. The Minister replied that the amount asked was a pretty large order for one year, unless other gTants were to stand in. abeyance. He would look into the matter, and if everything was favourable, something would be done to have the road completed, seeing that only two miles required doing. The chairman next asked for the Ministers permission to allow £400 already granted towards the Kaimarama-Waikawau road to be diverted towards maintaining a section of road from Southland Bridge to K.aimarama.

The Minister asked tie chairman if he thought the Government was going to make roads for local bodies, and also maintain them. If there was not sufficient revenue available from rates they should be raised.

The chairman explained that immediate attention should be given to the section of road in question, that was why the diversion of the gTant was asked for.

The Minister said he would look into the question.

The next demand was for £60 towards Wha.rf road extension at Coromandel. The Minister said he would try and accede to the request. The insanitary state of the sv-amp between the school and the hospital at Mercury Bay was next discussed, and it was pointed out that the lagoon was very dangerous to the health of the children attending the school, and also the inmates of the .hospital. The Minister pointed out that land drainage operations did not come within the functions of the Mines Department. Mc would lay the request oefore the Ministers for Public Health and Education.

A gTant of £150 was asked for metalling the Kuaotunu-Mercury Bay road. The Minister gave a favourable reply and also for a demand for £ 100 in order that the Coromandel-Kuaotunu road might be completed, via Matarangi. A tender lor £360 had been received, but the Council only had £260 available, consequently an additional £100 was required . Tbe Minister expressed an inclination to give the £100 as asked, provided everything was satisfactory. The Minister also agreed to inquire into the necessity of a traffic bridge over the Manaia Creek, between Coromandel and Thames.

Mr. McKenzie was subsequently entertained at luncheon. Captain Swindley presiding. In acknowledging the toast of "Our Guest/ , the Minister expressed the pleasure it gave him to visit Coromandel. As they were all aware the district came under his control as Minister for Mines, and the mining industry was one of the most important in the Dominion. Coromandel was a place which had produced a very large output of gold, and had also supported a large population. At present it appeared that mining matters there were at a rather low ebb, but he was not one of those pessimists who believed that all the gold had been extracted. There was no reason why Coromandel should not be very prosperous again in the near future. Speaking of the mining industry, he was satisfied that it possessed immHlF <e possibilities. An industry that provided three or four millions of pounds annually, and employed so many people, was worthy of fostering. He maintained that the present Government had done its best for mining, and as head of the Department controlling the industry, he assured them all that he was going to do all in his power to encourage it.

Affairs in connection with Old K.apanga mine were privately placed before the Minister, and subsequently the Ministerial party left for Thame3, which place was reached after a very pleasant drive about 6.30 p.m. One of the first offices of the [Minister upon arrival was to visit the Hon. J: McGowan, ex-Minis-ter, who is at present laid up with sciatica> '

Mr. C. E. Matthews, private secretary to the Minister, who received' a valuable gold albert .chain at Coromandel, was also the recipient there of a handsome gold pendant made from Old Kapa-nga specimen stone. At the Thames he was presented with a valuable gold watch, Mr. A. Burns (Mayor) making the presentation. While passing fnrough Waiomio it was noticed that the Ferguson Syndicate had completed the erection of its smelting plant, and that the hoppers were full of quartz ready for treatment onerations to commence.