MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE

Evening Star, Issue 17710, 11 July 1921, Page 7

MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE

VISITS CENTRAL OTAGO.

[Spkcial to tub ' Star.'] CROMWELL, July 11. On Saturday last Cromwell had its fh’Su visit from the Hon. W. Nosworlhy, Minister of Agriculture. He was accompanied bv Mr James Horn, M.P. Ihe Minister was met on Saturday evening by several deputations, included therein being representative citizens. . , One deputation urged the necessity m boring for artesian water on Cromwell Elat in the vicinity of the hospital. Requests had previously been made lor this, but the replies were not encouraging. The Minister promised to do what he could to have the test done when the boring plant was being taken from the minim/ tie!da in Maniototo to Wakatipu. Discussion on the rabbit question occupied some time, the settlers strongly representing that the excessive fines imposed In this district were causing great anxiety amongst the settlers. The Minister was assured that the settlers were just as keen as the department or the inspectors to exterminate the rabbits, but panned to tho great difficulties on high pastoral country. Tho Minister, in his reply, was most sympathetic and straightforward, and indicated an amendment to the Act next session to remove any undue hardships. A request' for the official opening of the railway to Cromwell was then formally received by the Hon. Mr Nosworthy, and it was announced that it will take place in about a month’s time. The service, under the Railway Department, was opened this morning without ceremony beyond hearty cheers by an assemblage of citizens as the train steamed out. The Minister visited Tairas yesterday, returning to Clyde.

CLYDE, July 11,

Tiro Minister of Agriculture was waited oh at Blacks on Saturday by a deputation ot landowners, who asked that the objectionable clause 2 of the Rabbit Act be eliminated. In reply the Minister promLred to amend the clause, so that a defendant can call evidence, and the magistrate decide to inflict a penalty or not, in order to give an incentive to the landownei to clear lire pest. Tho Minister expressed the opinion that better land tenures should be granted.