OX TOUR

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 18634, 8 March 1926, Page 8

OX TOUR

minister of lands. I ' HANMER AND KAIKOURA. ! I (SFKCIAR TO "THE PJUE9S.") HANMER SPRINGS, March 6. The Minister for Lands (Hon. A. D. McLeod), Mr G. W. Forbes, M.P., and the Commissioner for Crown Lands visited Hanmer on Friday. They were met by 3>r. Chisholm, superintendent of the Queen Mary Hospital, and inspected the Women's Hospital, nearly completed, and other institutions under the control of the Health Department. After lunch Mr Forbes introduced a deputation of residents including Messrs J. Ashton, Dodds, J. Manson, T. J. Hughes, and.Savage, who made representations in regard to the provision of township areas for building was sympathetic and undertook to look into the matter. He expressed himself in favour of granting the freehold to the present lessees. The party, accompanied by Mr W. Montgomery, officer in charge, afterwards inspected the State plantations and also inspected suitable building areas. KAIKOURA REQUESTS. (special to "the press.") KAIKOURA, March 6. The Hon. A. D. McLeod, accompanied by Mr G. W. Forbes, M.P., and Mr W. J. Girling, M.P., arrived from Hanmer last evening, and were met by the Commissioner for Drown Lands and County Councilors and given a hearty reception. Mr E. K. Latter waited on the Minister regarding a road to his homestead, and a satisfactory assurance was given that the request would be complied with as recommended by the Marlborough Land Board. Messrs D. Boyd and J. Mackle brought before the Minister the danger of properties being destroyed at Hapuku by the diversion of water by the Highways Board operations m constructing groynes. , The Minister assured the deputation that the Prime Minister was the last person to permit individuals to suffer as a result of public work. Mr Coates would probably visit the locality, when the matter could again be brought to his notice. Messrs Mcßay, Trudgeon, and An-' dresen interviewed the Minister respecting the Bea erosion which was destroying the wall and the old wharf, and asked that assistance ba given towards the cost of constructing a concrete wall. The Minister replied that the Minister for Marine (Hon. G. J. Anderson) woud be likely to (visit Kaikoura at an early date and the matter could be brought before him. Wharves were inconvenient' to the Department, and as there was little 'revenue available local bodies would not undertake their administration.. The master would receive carefiil consideration. , Dr. Withers brought under the notice of the Minister the proposed improvements to the Takahanga Domain, explaining that a grant would be sought to' assist tlie committee in its work. 1 The Minister explained that where the Government' had provided laud for domains it wag further- assistance ceased except for removing logs and stumps and for drainage. He did not see his way to depart from. tli«j existing policy. However, the member for the district could bring the matter Hp when the | Estimates "'were being and jif it were possible to assist in connexion with -drainage work the matter Iwould be considered with other similar | requests. Regarding the Hapuku approach, ha regretted being unable to V/sit the locality, but the Prime Minister was' desirous of ivisiting Kai- , koura again and the matter could be raised when he was in the district. | The Minister was accorded a vote of thanks for his courtesy. 1 .. Long Trek. 1 This morning the party left for the Clarence Valley. At the reserve station horses will be" requisitioned and the trek commenced over the snowy ranges! It is expected that the party will traverse ; the reserve and the Clarence Valley and emerge at Kekerangu on Monday. The party consists of thq Minister and his secretary, Mr W. J. Girling, M.P., and the Commissioner for Crown Lands. The Clarence Reserve comprises 111,000 acres of Crown land and 15,000- acres freehold, and the Clarence- Valley of 98,000 acres Crown land. There is some.exceptionally fine land suitable for cereals and fruit, the balance being good pastoral lands. Roadinn; will be difficult, but 'the property is capable of being loaded to cover such an undertaking. It mated that thirty blocks would become available for closer settlement.