AN OLD GRIEVANCE

Greymouth Evening Star, 8 November 1923, Page 3

AN OLD GRIEVANCE

FARM RUINED BY DREDGING If patience is rewarded, Mr. T. Moriarty, of Stillwater, will be a rich man some day. For nearly 20 years he has been a man with a grievance, alleging that through the action of the Government then in office, his farm was “jumped” by a mining company, which installed a dredge and washed most of the farm away in the quest for gold. Mr. Moriarty has since been fighting for what he considers

to be his rights, and has lost no op-

portunity of presenting his case. Yesterday lie travelled from Stillwater to Otira to interview the Minister of Public Works (Hon. J. G. Coates), and during the course of the day volubly explained his claim to most of the West Coast representatives present, including the pressmen. When the Ministerial train reached Otira, Mr. Moriarty became busier than ever, and quickly buttonholed the Minister’s private secretary, his departmental officials, his two stenographers, and even Mrs. Coates herself. He was finally granted an in- ( terview by the Minsiter, and given a patient and courteous hearing. On arrival at Stillwater, the Minister inspected land formerly owned by Mr. Moriarty who stated that many ( years ago, in the time of the late Mr. R. J. Seddon the land was transferred from the Lands Department , and placed under dual control of the War- , den and the Greymouth Harbour Board. Subsequently a dredging com- i pany was given a lease, and the following operations ruined the Moriarty farm. The late Mr. Seddon had pro- ' mised redress after his return from Australia, but his death took place. Mr. Moriarty stated that he had re- ( ceived no compensation, although ( the reports of Parliamentary Commit- , tees had been favourable to his case. The responsibility had been shifted : by one Department to another, and he . requested the Minister to give his assistance in the matter. Mr. Coates took charge of the papers concerning the claim made, and promised to ihake enquiries.