LAND DESTROYED BY DREDGING

Press, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23088, 2 August 1940, Page 8

LAND DESTROYED BY DREDGING

** " ■ MINISTER’S REPLY TO REPRESENTATIONS ADVISORY COMMITTEE’S REPORT AWAITED [From Our Own Reporter.s GREYMOtmi, August L, Replying to representations by Greymouth Borough Council on tM destruction oD farm lands by goM dredging, the Minister for Mines , (F* Eton. P. C. Webb) said that he noted the council’s resolution consideration be given to reselling land affected by dredging operations. “According to the reports submitted to me by the Mines. Lands,, and Forcstry Departments, practically aU « land let under licence for dredg»B for gold is of negligible value fof ricultural and pastoral purposes, stated the Minister’s letter. .. “The productive value for these purposes would be very w indeed—in many cases hbt teacnms £2 an acre-a year. On the other hand, the productive value of of the land, based onilsgold reached as high as £IOOO m awe., ■ seems evident that in these cases m national interests are dredging the land for its gold co _ “In regard to resoiling, where stacker type is used, and m kTUBTO tSf farm lands, however, special coiw eralion was being given by the Goe . ernmcnt to the best line of a ,^ lol hA,' take to prevent wastage of the A committee had been set up s time ago to advise on the WJBW question of the reselling of dreog lands, and-it was expected that »» report would be available to Government at an early date. Cr. H. Herring, at a meeting of tne council, said that he understoo® from the recent annual report of w Minister for Mines that the Govern* ment had made it compulsory ma* land for dredging should be left » the condition that it was in formfru* He was rather sorry to see the Ml® ister putting erroneous statement! like that in his report. It was certainly in the national interest! • produce all the gold possible, nffiv they had to look to the future, j* dredging companies were made w replace the soil on dredged lands there would then be something to nai» down to posterity instead of wasw lands. t n “The powers that be do not seem W be taking much interest in the matter and it does not appear umch worrying any more about it, he con . eluded. , , The Mayor fMr F. A. Kilchmg' ham): Should we not ask that tn« report be expedited? i There was no more discussion the letter was received.