Cromwell Argus. AND NORTHERN GOLDFIELD GAZETTE. Cromwell, Monday, Oct. 27, 1919

Cromwell Argus, Volume L, Issue 2646, 27 October 1919, Page 4

Cromwell Argus. AND NORTHERN GOLDFIELD GAZETTE. Cromwell, Monday, Oct. 27, 1919

Following the announcement (.hat Sir William Fraser had decided to retire from politics, it was no secret that strong representation was being made to Mr James Horn to contest Wakatipu. The requests did not come only from those who had hitherto been supporters of the banner which Mr Horn will carry, but also from many who by reason of a close personal friendship had unfailingly east their votes for Sir William Fraser in the many contests in which he succeeded. That Mr Horn has acceded to the request has now been announced. Sir William Fraser has served the electorate well. The evident desire of a large body of electors now is to secure as a successor one who is intimately acquainted with the whole electorate, and . who has during a period of years proved his worth on all local bodies, and they justly look to Mr Horn to supply that need. His services in public life arc too well and honorably known throughout Wakatipu to require enumeration at this juncture. For thirteen years he was a member of the County Council, and several years chairman, and it is safe to say that no man is more closely acquainted with that huge part ttf thp electorate than be is. Further than that, there is not a corner of the electorate with which ho is not familiar and wherein he is not favorably known. JLhat his worth as

a public man is appreciated can be conveyed in his appointment to the Otago Education Board, and to the leading patriotic associations in Dunedin during the period of the war. Twice previously Mr Horn has acceded to the public wish to enter politics, and on each occasion just failed to succeed. In the 1905 by-election for Tuapeka he was beaten by Dr Chappie by 30 votes. In 1911 be contested Wakatipu against Sir William Fraser, and after a keen contest, and an exceptionally heavy poll was beaten by 271 votes (2753-2182). From expressions already heard it is safe to predict that Mr Horn will poll even heavier in the original Wakatipu district on this occasion. He will retain the confidence of those who supported him in the 1911 contest, and will gain those who have expressed their intention of supporting him as they did Sir William Fraser, disregarding for the moment the extremes of party politics, and realising in him one who will worthily champion the interests of the electorate and the Dominion, In due course, Mr Horn will meet the electors in the different centres, and it only remains for those who have so keenly sought his candidature to systematically organise their forces.

lx spite of the unanimous public agitation from time to time, and the recent visit of delegates to Wellington, there is as yet no indication that the Government will deal with the Mount Pisa run in accordance with the general wish. The visit of the deputation has, however, sufficed to reveal the position in regard to the flats. Information given to the deputation was practically to Hie effect that water to irrigate this area would be provided by a private company, a provision which bears a much greater meaning than is at once apparent. Presuming that a right to irrigate the flats has been made, it has been done in terms of the Water Supply Amendment Act, 1913, and a perusal of that Act, which has special reference to Vincent County, distinctly shows that where a company has covenanted’ to irrigate lands, it actually assumes control of the land, although no Crown grant or certificate in respect to same is issued. If such a contract has been entered into under the Act, and it evidently has, we can come to no other conclusion than we have always held, that the flats have been alienated from the run. It is useless to again go into the history of this matter—the resolution of the land board, the grants made by the court, aud the indefinite statements of Ministers, all of which point in only one direction. It is remarkable, nevertheless, how in face of all this the responsible authorities have evaded giving a direct reply to the many inquiries made. The action of the authorities in connection with this matter has been received with keen disapproval by residents throughout the district. The general opinion is that the Government’s refusal to treat with the lessee of Mount Pisa for the freehold and water rights, by arbitration, is not for the reason that the price is too high, or that the Government would get the worst of the deal, but because of the negotiations regarding the flats. The promised statement by the Minister, following consideration of the question by a committee, is awaited with keen interest, and it is safe to say that if this is unsatisfactory the question will stand above party politics in the forthcoming election.