MR. MASSEY ON WEST COAST.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 807, 3 May 1910, Page 5

MR. MASSEY ON WEST COAST.

,-' A VERY PLEASANT WEEK.,,'. COAL. MEASURES AND NATIVE ■'■ : . •'-■. LEASES ■ .. (By TeleßriDh.-EDeclal CorresnoridenJ.' . ,/...;''.' Christchurch, May 2. ■ After, a'/wcok's visit to. the.-West ■ Coast Mr. W.:F. Massey, Leader of the Opposition, returned to Christchurch to-night. Inter viewed by a .'Trees",. representative, he stated that it had .been a most delightful trip, and nothing could have . exceeded the • kindness and hospitality, extended to. him by the residents of : the West Coast;. On arriving a-t Greyinouth he had been met by the Mayor (Mr. Coates), the chairman of the Harbour Board (Mr. Campbell),: and the member for the district (Hon. A.-R: Guinness), and heartily: ■welcomed:' He stopped . that.'night at l-troymouth, and; next day, on the invitation of a number ■ of well-known , residents, proceeded to Hokitika, where he was met by the Mayor (Mr. Michel) and several, prominent citizens. On the same afternoon he.attended the funeral of an ?' d T :', r . iend —'he late Hon. Mr. Holmes, M.LX...,.1n the evening, he .was-present at a large' Masonic function/and, on the following day (Thursday); at the invitation of the: Riniu' Miners' Association;: and iu company.,with, the Mayor .of.-Hoki-ttia and a. party,of residents, under the guidance; of -tho president and secretary pf the Minors' Association, he paid a visit to what is known locally as the Rimu Hat-a very large area ■of auriferous country, which, up to, the present, Mr. Massey stated, has only been worked in * K' im, i IVB fashion by parties of miners. In rthe. evening," continued Mr. MnsB*y, 1 addressed a public meeting. The reception which I met , with was all l.hat could be wished for, and never have I addressed a more enthusiastic gathering." ■ Next ;day ■.■Mγ. Massey viaiteil' the hospital in company with Dr.: Teichelmann, lesKient medical superintendent, and in the afternoon he' was tae guest of the Mayor oMtes (Mr. Bruce), and visited tie .township, wWre he was shown ove," the fauKms-Ross Gold Mining Company's mines. The,party also visited tho large shncing claini inlhat neighbourhood. That evening Mr.-Massey attended another social gathering, which was presided over by the Mayor-of Hokitika, the vice-chairmen being the -Mayor of Kuroara (Mr. Murdoch), and the Mayor of Ross air. Bruce). -Sneaking of this funo-, bon, Mr. Massey -stated that he had been l very much impressed with the thorough knowledge of Parliamentary affairs displayed by the various speakers. On Saturday morning Mr. Massey's party returned to Greymouth, where, unfortunately, the weather broke, and prevented the piograiamc which had been arranged .from being properly carried out. Mr. Massey, however, was able to, visit -the local iron foundry, with which he expressed great admiration. "I believe it to be one of the best in the Dominion," W5 remarked. It employs 200 hands and tarns out -work equal to anything that is Imported. Unfortunately the foundry is apenencmg a difficulty . connected with the occupancy of Xalivc-owned land. It appears that the foundry was'built upon Sart of what is known as the Greymouth . anves leases, and although new premises are sadly required to replace .the present seraewh at old and 'h-lnpidated building, yet, owing to the fact that the foundry stands upon Native laud with a very unsatisfactory tenure, the directors do yot feel justified in going on with a new building in the meantime! This means that tho industry is being carried on at a .very considerable disadvantage. . ."During hiy stay there,! was waited an. by \ a deputation consisting of the \Mayor and a nuraber-of residents in connection with this matter. The deputation pointed out that progress was "being ro' tarded, and prosperity interfered with on account of the i. • nber of these Native leases, and was very anxious that legisation to improve matters should-be put through . Parliament during tho coming session. ■• I think I am right in saying that Greymouth is the only place in tho South Island where the Native land difficult} is eximriei.cMl Unfortunately it is only too common in the North. 1 was only too pleased to . promise ' tho deputation what assistance 1 could, but pointed out that the' initiative in such matters Tested with the Government, and, unfortunately, nothing could be done." Accompanied by tho Mayor, the chairman of the Harbour Board, and the Hon. A. IC. Guinness, Mr. Massey also paid a visit to the State collieries. Jlfr stated that they seemed to be turning out very largo quantities of coal at present, but the Grc.ymouVh people had a grievance, viz., that the coal passed over their wharves without the ordinary royaltics being paid. "The chairman of the board remarked at the function in ftie •venins that it was a great misfortune that the coal measures had fallen into tho hands of the Government, as . h thought that private individuals would have done better for ■ the town. Mr. Mnspoy gathered • Hint the present mine vonlri be worked out in.lf* months or two years, but that thfrc was a very large supply about three miles further back. On Thursday evening the residents of Greyinouth njrnin entertained Mr. Massey, the elip.ii , beini! occupied by thn Mayor, and the vicp-cliair by tho chairman of the Hiirbour Board. Yesterday morning the visitors left Greymouth on their retnrn tc town, nftei what Mr. Massey termed "one of tho plen?aiit"-t weeks in his life." ,