"DELAY IS DANGEROUS."

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 14473, 13 September 1910, Page 6

"DELAY IS DANGEROUS."

THE SILTING DIFFICULTY.

LEGISLATION THIS SESSION.

[BY telegraph.— correspondent.]

' Wellington, Monday. A plea that the recommendations of the recent Silting Commission should be given effect to this session was made by a deputation from the Ohinemuri County Council, which waited upon the Minister for Public Works (Hon. R. McKenzie) today." Mr. H. Poland introduced the deputation. Mr. P. Grace, chairman of the County Council, said they were willing to assist in dissolving the existing river board, and were anxious that the Government should at once bring clown legislation dealing with the Commission's recommendations. Delay, he urged, was dangerous to the settlers, who were always in fear of floods. Mr. F. W. Strange said that every time the rain came from the cast it terrified the settlers. A flood now would destroy the whole of the season's operations. Mr. C. E. Lloyd maintained that the agricultural and mining interests were satisfied, so far as the report was concerned. He urged that there should be a redistribution of the gold duty, so that Waikino would receive some portion of the revenue so derived. In reply, the Minister said this could best bo done by the local bodies taking the initiative under the provisions of the Gold Duty Act of 1903. He had advised the borough of Waihi to extend its boundaries, and take in Waikino. In regard to the proposal to dredge, there was the difficulty of meeting the claims of the Gold Extraction Company. By putting up stop banks they would be able to obviate further damage for some years. Mr. Grace said he understood the Gold Extraction Company, to get over the question of vested rights, was prepared to mortgage the whole of its plant and claims to the Government for the consideration of a loan of £35,000, repayable at the rate of £7000 per year out of the profits in addition to the percentage on the loan. Mr. McKenzie said the Government would not allow any company to dictate terms to it. A Bill dealing with the whole matter had been in preparation for some time, and it would be presented to Parliament very shortly. He saw no reason why it should not pass this session. The same deputation later waited on the Prime Minister (Sir Joseph Ward) and made similar representations. It was intended this session to legislate upon the whole question, said Sir Joseph Ward, and he expected the legislation would go through. The matter was an important one, and the Government was very anxious to ensure the working of the mines, while protecting the settlers.