BUSH TRAMWAYS

Greymouth Evening Star, 31 January 1924, Page 3

BUSH TRAMWAYS

FORESTRY DEPT.’S PROPOSAL. Part of the policy of the Forestry Department, according to a statement in rhe annual report, is the nationalising of forest- tramways. Taking the view that this is an unjust imposition on private sawmillers, the Grey County Council at yesterday's meeting passed unanimously a strong resolution of protest. The discussion arose when the advice of the goldfields revenue was received. The Clerk (Air. Al. Keating) said that the receipts every quarter had been wery satisfactory, a result largely due to the efforts of the Receiver (Air. J. Alclndoe), who had insisted on prompt payment. The Chairman (Air. J. W. Hannan) said that this matter reminded him of a question already discussed at a meeting of the Westland County Council, in reference to the continued encroachments made by the Forestry Department upon the jurisdiction of the wardens’ courts. It appeared to be the aim of the Department, said Air. Hannan, to secure to itself all the revenue with serious results to the county councils in mining districts, which largely depended upon goldfields revenue. “We require to keep a close watch on the moves of the Department,” declared Air. Hannan. “In addition to the hint made in the Department’s annual report, it is evident from the propaganda work in which the Department is so adept, that further encroachment is desired. The county councils in other parts of New Zeaalnd are being used by the Department as propagandists, and it behoves the counties in mining districts to counteract this move.” He then moved as follows :—-“That the Council protests against any interference with rights already granted under the Mining Act in respect of timber, and particularly at the proposal evidenced by the correspondence between the State Forest Department and the Taumaranui County Council, of State control af sawmill tramways already constructed under grants legally made by AVarlen’s Courts, as this would constitute a derogation from rights already grantad by the Crown for a definite term of fears. ’ ’ . “It simply means that the miller will be squeezed out,” said the Engineer (Air. J. Higgins). The Chairman read a report of a meeting of the Taumaranui County Jouncilj at which a resolution in favour of the scheme was carried. “That is very strange,” said the bounty Clerk (Air. AL Keating). ‘They wrote to us at our last meeting isking our support against any step jf this nature.” 'The Chairman said that the proposed >tep of the. Forestry Department seri>usly threatened the mills of the West Mast, and as they were of vital imjortance to the prosperity of the produce, prompt action should be taken. The motion was seconded and caried.