Access to Scheelite Mines at Glenorchy.

Lake Wakatip Mail, Issue 3967, 23 September 1930, Page 4

Access to Scheelite Mines at Glenorchy.

SUBSTANTIAL IMPROVEMENTS' TO BE CARRIED OUT. PUBLIC WORKS GRANTS. Mr W. A. Bodkin, M.P., lhas received the following letter from the Minister ot Public Works , which explains itself:— “Referring to my letter of the -3rd ultimo and to your personal representations concerning a request \\ Inch was made to you by Mr Paulin, of Glenorchy, for a grant to improve the access to the scheelite mines in the vicinity of Glenorchy, I have to advise that the Lake County Council recently submitted satisfactory proposals for the expenditure of the amount of £3CO, which has been included on the current year’s Estimates, on widening and improving the already partially constructed tracks which give access to the mines. This grant, however, will not permit of any new work being undertaken, and in view of the representations which were made the whole position has been very thoroughly gone into by my Department’s District Engineer at Dunedin and also by the Mines Department, and it is found that the construction of a track up Temple Creek would considerably benefit the miners who are working in that area. The construction of this track is estimated to cost £75 ,and I have decided to approve authorisation of than sum to the Lake County Council, who should submit proposals for the work to the District Engineer at Dunedin.

In addition to this, the miners are particularly anxious to have the existing road extended to the end of the cableway, it being stated that this extension would greatly assist the miners, in that it would enable them to transport their materials and the ore right up to the foot of the cableway, instead of having to use pack horses for a portion of the distance. This work would pros ide employment for 15 to 20 men for a period of several months, and in that way it would also be of assistance during the slack period at the mines. However, the main point is that the construction of the road would directly benefit this local industry, and I think, for that reason, that the expenditure of the amount necessary to cover the cost of extending the road is warranted.

I have pleasure, therefore, in informing you that I have decided to approve "authorisation of sufficient funds to the District Engineer at Dunedin, to permit of the work being commenced. The necessary labour will be obtained from the local ’miners.”