HON. G. J. ANDERSON

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18540, 28 April 1922, Page 2

HON. G. J. ANDERSON

CENTRAL OTAGO TOUR. MINISTER SPENDS A BUST DAY. (From Our Own Reporter.) ALEXANDRA, April 27. The Hon. G. J. Anderson, Minister of Alines, spent a busy clay in Central Otago to-day. The Ministerial party left Roxburgh at 8 o’clock and proceeded to Clyde and Cromwell, interviewing several settlers as to their local requirements en route. From Cromwell the party motored out towards Bannockburn, , and the Minister spent some time in inspecting Halliday and party’s sluicing claim, over which there is a possibility as to some litigation on the question of water rights. DEPUTATIONS AT CROAIWELL. On returning to Cromwell a deputation wailed on the Minister to bring under his notice several local requirements, principally in respect to the supply of artesian water for the flat. Air C. Sanders, Deputy-Mayor, who presided, in the absence of the Mayor, Mr D. C. Jolly’, extended a welcome to the Minister and Mr J. Horn, AI.P., and then went on to emphasise the great need, of providing 'the whole district with water. First of all they would like the Government to help the Development Company to complete the groat project which it had undertaken. They had received several encouraging reports as to the presence of water on the flat, and a promise had been made to bring a boring plant -from Dunedin, so it was felt that an endeavour should be made to have it brought to Cromwell. Artesian 'water would be of great service during the winter, when there was no pumping, and would also bo of great value to the ■ local hospital, which was at present dependent on a gravitation supply. In conclusion, Mr Sanders asked the Minister if ho could assist them in the maintenance of the main roads, and also if ho could do something for the development of mining in the district. Mr C. Ray asked the Minister if anything could be done to compensate the miners for the loss sustained owing to the embargo placed on the export of gold during the war period. There was justice on the side of the miner, and it was right that something should be done. The Alinister in reply, to Air Ray, stated (hat the embargo had been placed on the export of gold during tho, war under instructions from the Imperial Government, and it had been necessary in the interest of the Empire generally, and the Allies as a whole. ■ There had been no rise in the price of gold actually, until after the lifting of the embargo, and if the responsibility rested on anyone to recompense the miner it rested on the shoulders of the Imperial 'Government. No matter how •willing the New Zealand Government might be to help the miner, it could not do it, and he could not hold out a hope of any relief. As regards the question of artesian water boring plant, two out of the three local bodies concerned had not signed the agreement as to its hire. Personally, he was in favour of sending it( up to Cromwell along with a staff to work it, provided the Cromwell Borough Council and the Vincent County Council would then pay for' its working. In connection with the problem of main roads, it had not been the policy of the Government to give subsidies, the only roads that were assisted being those over which a large amount of coal’ was carted. The Minister added that in the matter of mining the department was continuing to grant subsidies for prospecting. DEPUTATIONS AT ALEXANDRA. When Alexandra was reached a series of deputations waited on Mr Anderson and Sir William Fraser to represent to them a number of requirements of the district. The first matter introduced by the chairman, Cr Ritchie, was the question of reconstructing Galloway Flat roads. As a result of the construction of the bridge the main road was now in a different place altogether, and in parts it, as well as other roads, , would be swamped altogether by irrigation. That had been their experience in connection with roads in the past, and as regards Galloway Flat, they wanted the position safeguarded. Cr Spain endorsed what the chairman had said, pointing out in addition that there had been no allocation for the reading of the settlement. In the winter time the road from the sections near the homestead block was practically impassable, and while the riding rates were able to maintain these roads they were insufficient for making new roads. Replying to Sir Wm. Fraser Or Spain stated that these sections were still Crown land, which was leased to soldiers under the Settlement Act. , Sir Wm. Fraser promised to eiilist Mr Anderson’s support, in making representations to the Hon. D. H. Guthrie, but a report would have to be obtained from the District Engineer. In these days of retrenchment it would probably not be an easy matter to obtain the necessary money. Air Ritchie next placed before the Ministers the necessity of doing something to improve the Little Valley road . in the interests of the soldier-settlers who had recently taken up land there. It had been suggested that a new road should be made up Graveyard Gully, but the County Council could do nothing without a grant. Mr G. Rivers supported the request strongly, urging that the two Ministers would support the road up Graveyard Gully. This road would cost £3OOO, ’ of which the settlers and the Alexandra Development Company would provide a third,, and it would shorten the distance by five miles. Mr Anderson said he would undertake, in company with Sir William Fraser, to make representations to the Hon. J. G. Coates, on returning to Wellington. Air W. A. Bodkin added that if a loan could be provided through the local body, the runholders would provide half of it—namely, £ISOO. Mr G. Watts drew the attention pi the Minister to the increasing number of unemployed in the district, and asked the Alinister to urge upon the Hon. J. G. Coates the authorisation of the Little Valley road, in order to provide work. S.hortly there would be about 50 married men out of work in the district, and this work would prevent the men from Alexandra leaving the district. Air Anderson added that as Minister of Labour he recognised this factor as an additional reason why the road should be constructed. As Minister of Labour he did not want men who were out of work to go back to the towns, and if he opuld do anything to keep them in the country he would do so. The next topic introduced was that of an experimental farm, this subject being introduced by the Mayor of the borough (Mr W. Black). On the 10,(XXI acres served by the Manuherikia scheme, and just on the other side of the river opposite Galloway railway station, an experimental farm of some 140 acres had been established a few years ago. This area, together with the adjoining areas held by soldiers, was served from the Manorbum dam, and they asked that the Lands Department, together with the Public Works Department, should do more for this area. The Lands Department should make this an experimental farm in the true sense of the word, so that settlers should be shown how to, irrigate to the best, advantage. He was' sure that if the farm were run on proper lines it would itself become a paying proposition. The Ministers undertook to make favourable representations in the matter. Air W. A. Bodkin next’asked that where all mining claims are applied for in future the interests of the settlers holding occupation leases should bo safeguarded by giving the Commissioner of Crown Lands the right of veto, except under certain conditions, which would protect the land from destruction. That had been done in case of dredging, and they wanted it extended to sluicing claims and all classes of mining in Central Otago. They made this request because the groat bulk of the land in Central Otago was of much greater and more permanent value for agricultural purposes than for mining. Air Anderson said the request was rather a large order, and he did not know whether the Commissioner of Crown Lands was the proper person to hold' the right of veto. If he had his way ho would make every dredge replace the soil, but many of these rights had been obtained some years ago, and all that could b© done now was to safeguard future dredging applications. In the case of the Rimu Flat, respecting which he had been criticised, the lease had been granted before he took office. As to the request now made, he was not prepared f-o grant it offhand, but ho would have the matter very carefully inquired into and reported upon. Naturally he had to protect the miners. Mr Ritchie emphasised the point that they were in no way ‘‘up against.” the miners, but both he and Sir William Fraser made a point that land to be served by costly irrigation schemes could not be allowed to bo destroyed by mining. They merely wished to safeguard the whole position. Speaking of the Last Chance water race. Mr C. Weaver stated that 7000 acres of good land on the Earnsoleugh Flat had recently been opened up, but owing to lack of water it was not being settled. The water from this race had now been taken over by the Government, and they wanted the race to be extended so as to irrigate this

land, instead of going to waste, as at present. . . Mr Anderson said that, as Minister of l abour, he would support the request as a means of unemployment relief. He did not know whether the money would be available, and it was also a question whether this work or the Little Valley road was more urgent; but he would see what could be done. Mr Ham said that Mr Coates was obtaining a report ori the work, and he waa hopeful that it would soon bo gone on with. Air J. R. Marks (Public Works Engineer) added that a report had already gone forward to Mr Coates. 1 DINNER AND SOCIAL. In the evening the two Ministers were entertained at a dinner at the Criterion Hotel, Mr Ritchie presiding over a representative attendance, including a number of ladies. The only two toasts proposed were those of "Sir William Fraser” and ‘‘The Chairman,” both of which were drunk with enthusiasm. The dinner was followed by a social and dance, at which the two Ministers were the guests of the Galloway settlers. Air W. Black occupied the chair, and addressee were pleasantly interspersed with musical items, a thoroughly enjoyable evening resulting. To-day Mr Anderson will proceed to Naseby to investigate several matters connected with mining rights, and on Saturday he will motor across to Palmerston to catch the train en route for Wellington.