THE TOUR OF THE MINISTER FOR WORKS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 9130, 1 June 1891, Page 2

THE TOUR OF THE MINISTER FOR WORKS.

(By Oub Special Repobteb.) Roxbubgh, May 30. At Alexandra last night the Minister for Works received several deputations on matters of local and public interest. niPABIAN BIGHTS. Messrs Forrest, Gray, and Burton, introduced by Mr W. Theyers (mayor of Alexandra), attended as a deputation from Bald Hill Flat, and brought under the notice of Mr Seddon the question of riparian rights Bimilar to that ventilated at St. Bathius earlier in the day, and the Minister undertook to obtain a report from the mining inspector on the subject. THE govebnment's POLICY eegabding mining. Mr Forrest also interviewed the Minister regarding some 'points of mining law on which he had been previously deputationiEed during bis trip. Interviewed by Mr Young, the Minister for Works stated that in the amended mining bill which he had prepared he proposed to reduce rents on licensed holdings in speoial claims. In the course of a further interview the Miuister aaid he would take an early opportunity of putting before the settlers the policy of the Government on one or two matters. Generally speaking Government had decided that where land was held nnder lease or license from the Crown for gold mining purposes holders must work it. The days were passed in which persons might get posseesion of ground, obtain protection, and form companies, doing nothing in the meantime. Those who took up ground must work it, or leave it to others who would work it. At the same time where companies or private individuals by embarking capital proved their bona fides, wardens wonld ba justified in giving them concessions if misfortune overtook them and ho had made it his business to see the wardens throughout the distriot aud indicate to them what the policy of the Government was. Regarding occupation licenses, he tvas, ss the originator of occupation licenses in Kew Zealand, muoh annoyed to find in. different parts of the colony that the freedom of selection was not given whioh the Legislature had intended. It was a dangerous thing that land should be sold in the vicinity of gold workings, but it was absolutely necessary that miners should have a place of residence the same as any other person without having the right of freehold, or of interference with property if wanted for mining purposes. Instead of that interpretation being given, it seemed that in some districts ""the law was a dead letter. He did not tbink it right that the maximum rent should be charged, and ifc was not what was intended. Thn only way to remedy that was to do what ho intended to propose next session—namely, that the maximum for land held under occupation license should not exceed Is per acre. The general principle of granting occupation licenses must, he thought, be insisted upon. There was a difficulty in regard to licenses which must be met. At present threo months' notice was necessary before a miner could go on an occupation license for prospecting. He intended to do away with that altogether, so that a miner would not ba prevented from getting prospects. As to refusals to grant occupation license,", he said that so Jong as he was Minister, when the law was laid down for the guidance of those who administered it, the responsibility rested with the Legislature for having passed it, and it was not for any administrator to put upon the legislature any interpretation he thought fit. THE CBOMWELL BBIDGE. Mr W. Fraser, chairman of the Vincent County Council, asked the Minister whether the Government proposed to make any alteration of the law uuder which a poll for a loan under the Local Bodies Act was taken. The Minister for Works said it was the intention of the Government to allow a majority of votes recorded to settle ths question of carrying proposals or otherwise. He thought the law was at present defective, for those who did not vote counted in proportion against those supporting the proposals. Mr Fraser next brought under the notice of the Minister the position of the county council with respect.to the Cromwell bridge. This bridge was left in a rotten state, as a legacy to the county council, when counties were formed. The necessity of doiog something was forced upon the council, and application was made to the Government for assistance. Although the bridge across the river at Beaumont, and tbat at Roxburgh were erected out of the consolidated revenue, at a cost of £15,000 aud £11,000 respectively, the county council were refused, time after time, when they applied to the Government to pat up the Cromwell bridge. The utmost they could get was a promise to pay £1 for £1, aud that meant that the county counoil had to provide £2500. The bridge, which was not completed yet, was undertaken when the county was in receipt of gold duty, and the passing of the Gold Duty Abolition Act had involved a loss to them of £7000 a year. He pointed out tbat the county council had entered iuto obligations when ia receipt of that revenue, and now that portion of that rs venue had been taken away by the legislature, they had tried to borrow money uuder the Local Bodies Act but had failed, and the result wss they had got to pay the money out of revenue. He considered they had hard measure meted out to them in being asked to pay half cost of construction of the bridge when the neighbouring county did not pay a shilling towards the construction of two of its bridges. He merely asked if the Government wonld take notice of these facts, and consider whether there was not fair reason why the Vincent County Council should not receive some little help. i The Minister for works replied that Mr Fraser's arguments applied to every local body tbat had received gold duty. He thought that public bodies that did not take advantage of the Local Bodies Aot, under which they would j obtain money at 5 per cent., acted very foolishly. STORAGE of wateb. Mr Fraser further B3ked if the Government I were in favour of taking steps to ascertain the best places in the mountains for the storage of water; and Mr Aitken asked whether it would not be a step in the right direction to offer a bonus to encourage schemes for raising water from lower to higher parts. The Minister for Works believed that in some instances it would be much cheaper to lift water than to construct reservoirs iv high altitudes. THANKS, ETC. The mayor of Alexandra and the chairman of the County Council both tendered (he thanks of the inhabitants to the Miuister for his courteous attention to deputations. Mr Seddon acknowledged tho compliment, and mentioned that the real reason of tho postponement of the session was that he might have the opportunity of visiting Otago according to promise. AIiKIVAL AT ROXBURGH. The Ministerial party reached Roxburgh at noon to-day, after a four hours' drive from Alexandra. TELEPHONE EXTENSION. The Postmaster-general bas agreed, ou representations from Mr Scobie Mackenzie, to establish telephonio communication between Bald Hill Flat and Alexandra.

Fiobiline.—Fob thb Teeth and Breath.—a few drops of the liquid "Floriline "sprinkled on a wet tooth brush produoes pleasant lather, which thoroughly oleaißes the teeth from ail parasites or impurities", hardens the gums, prevents tartar, stops decay, gives to the teeth a peculiar pearly whiteness, and a delightful fragrance to the breath. It removes all unpleataut odour arising from decayed teeth or tobacco-smoke. " The Fragrant Floriline," being composed In part of honey and sweet herbs, is deliolous to the taste, and the greatest toilet discovery of the age. Price 3s «d, of all Chemists and Perfumers. Wholesale Sopot, 83 Fsrfingdon ro&d, I*ndon,~(ADVT.]