WESTLAND AFFAIRS

Hokitika Guardian, 18 April 1929, Page 6

WESTLAND AFFAIRS

The Hon AY. Y'eitch has replied to Air J. O’Brien ALP. on a ntimlier of matters dealt with during his visit to oestland including: Boss iown Sections —On the subject of adding leases issued under Section 43 of the Alining Act, 11)08, to the classes of land oil which money may he advanced hy the State Advances Office, I desire to say that J have been in communication with the State Advances Superintendent m regard to the matter. The Superintendent has advised me that the leases in question are similar to business site licenses under the Alining Act, 1968. This lastmentioned class of license is, howewer, not an eligible security under tlie State Advances Act. It is, therefore, not considered advisable to include leases issued under Section 43 as securities for loans under the Advances Act.

Education Reserve, Harihari —/The request of the Farmers’ Union for this reserve to be suo-dividod for closer settlement lias been under consideration for some time, but a final decision as to the expediency or otherwise of subdividing the reserves will not Ik? arrived at until they have been inspected hy the Under-Secretary for Lands, who will visit the district as soon as possible The main question to be considered is whether the land could be offered lor selection at a reasonable rental after loading on to the capital value of the block all expenses of subdivision, including reading, survey, and possibly river protection. Evans Creek Telephone—AA’itli reference to the deputation of settlers, regarding telephone communication between Evans Creek and Hokitika: 1 beg to inform you that a careful record lias been kept, over a certain period, of tlie amount of traffic passing over the circuit between Hokitika and Ross. ■The return shows that the longest time tlie line was occupied during any particua.r hour was 3o minutes, and that the average delay on the total number of calls was only about ten minutes. Tlie calls from Evans Creek were shown to he few in number, and the average delay was very slight. In the circumstances, 1 regret that the expense involved in aceding to'the request lor an additional line between Ross and Hokitika is not warranted. Alatainui Post Office—l beg to inform you that inquiry goes to show that, the Storekeeper-Postmaster at Alatainui is not favourably disposed towards conducting a money order and savings bank branch. The Postmaster is, however, about to resign his position, and an endeavour will, be made to nave, bis successor agree to conduct money order and savings bank facilities. I shall be in communication with you in the matter at a later date. OTvURU HARBOUR.

On the subject of equipment for Okuru Harbour. I beg to advise you that, on consideration of your representations. I have authorised the expenditure of the necessary money to provide: (1) a higher flagstaff; (2) two smaller and handier beacon lights; (3) new beacon rods; (4) two new mooring piles, in a position pointed out to the Engineer by Captain Bald, where there is deeper water in which the vessel can moor, ft is not considerd necessary to send (lie full set of international code signal flags to this port. The signalman has already been supplied with the flags necessary to assist ships entering the port. As regards the supplying of paint, kerosene, etc., for maintenance works, the signalman should requisition for what he wants for this purpose and the question of supply will then he considered. As regards the questions of reinstating the beacon light at Hokitika, this port is i under the control of the Hokitika Harbour Board, to which the necessary representations should Ik? made.