THE HON. J. G. COATES.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19102, 22 February 1924, Page 8

THE HON. J. G. COATES.

TOUR THROUGH THE CENTRAL. WATER, YET MORE WATER. IDA VALLEY IRRIGATION. (From Our Special Reporter.) NASEBY, February 21. Tlip Hon. J. G. Coates, accompanied by his departmental officers and Messrs James Horn, M.P., and John Bitchener, M.P.. left Alexandra at 8.30 to-day, and journeyed via Chatto Creek (where the break in the race near the intake was inspected), Omakau, Ophir, Moa Creek, Oturehua. Wedderburn, and Ranfurly, arriving in Naseby about 6.30 p.m. During the course of the journey some of the results of irrigation were seen, notably on the property of Mr Reddcll at Springvale, where one of the largest areas of lucerne so far seen on the tour was witnessed. This area has only been sown for two years, and the results are little short of marvellous. Another area which astonished the Minister was that m Ida Valley to the east of Moa Creek. There the settlors hold large areas, probably averaging 500 acres, and the results are shown in the heavy stock-carrying capacity of the different paddocks. CALL AT OMAKATJ. The Minister was met at Omakau by Mr John Clare, who mentioned the progress the district was making. He stated that they had 140 telephones in the district, and these were being linked up. They wanted a rural mail service in connection with it. The Minister said that the surrounding district was progressing. The large scheme which would serve the district was capable of watering 72,000 acres, and was going to cost in the vicinity of £1,000,000. Mr Clare said that his own private scheme was quite a success. He estimated that the £IOOO which he had spent was the best investment he had ever made.

OPIJIR’S WANTS. At Ophir Mr Jas. Horn introduced a deputation. Mr M‘Knight was the first speaker. He asked for a road over Black’s Hill, which was estimated to cost £2OOO. This, he said, was not a new request. The grade, or a large portion of it, was one in nine, and it would be necessary to have a deviation. This would necessitate them abandoning about two miles of the present road. He con-*dered it was a national work. The request was supported by Mr Flannery and Mr Horn. The Minister pointed out that it would be necessary for the Vincent County Council to put it on their list of works when submitting their requirements to him. Mr MTCnight said this was much too big a work to come under ordinary allocation. It was a new work, and should- be provided for in some other w-ay. Tile Minister: It must be done. Mr Horn; Probably a grant from the Lands Department could be obtained. The Minister said that tho annual grant to tho Vincent County was something like £7OOO. He wanted the County Council to realise that he was out to help them. The Government found the money and left it to the County Councils to say where it should be spent. The Vincent County would have to fall into line with other county councils and fight it out across the table. There would, he said, be an unholy row, “but better you bad the row than we.” OPHIR POST OFFICE. The Rev. A. Don brought up the question of the rumoured closing of the Ophir Post Office. He mentioned that the district was going ahead, and instanced the fact that a stock agency firm had recently established a branch at Ophir; also that the Government Stock Department had opened an office there. Mr Edmund Webber supported the claim for retaining the post office. Mr Coates said lie would be glad to look into the matter, and he would let them know the result. If the business were falling away they could not expect the office to remain. PEACE MEMORIAL HALL. Mr Flannery asked for a grant for a Peace Memorial Hall at Ophir. The Minister said this was not a matter which came under his jurisdiction. It came under the jurisdiction of the Minister of Internal Affairs, and he would have pleasure in placing the matter before the Hon R. F. Bollard. VISIT TO MOA CREEK. Some 25 settlers had assembled at the Moa Creek Schoolhouse when the Minister reached there. Mr Nevill was introduced to the Minister by Mr Horn. Mr Nevill stated that they were not satisfied with the present working of the irrigation scheme. When they signed up they were to get water for 182 days, with flushing, and now that had been altered to 150 continuous days. Mr Marks said that it was never intended that it should, be other than I£o days. The Minister pointed out that they came under the most favoured nation clause, and were getting their water at 10s per acre, which was a specially cheap rate. The work was undertaken at a time when material and labour were much cheaper than was the case to-day. “We shall stick to the strict letter of the agreement,” said the Minister, “if you insist on it, but don’t ask for any favours. You can last 150 clays continuously or 182 days without flushing. My point -s to give water to the settlers as cheaply as possible. There is Only a certain amount of water, and there may not be enough to go round.” Continuing, ho said he wished them to consider the matter carefully and let the department know their decision before September next. A SMALL MATTER. The Minister undertook to look into a request for a small post office building at Moa Creek and also the establishment of boxes provided they obtained certain information with regard to the number of bdkes required. OTUREHUA REQUESTS. At Oturehua some 20 settlers and townspeople waited on the Minister in the local hall, the speakers being introduced by Mr J. Bilchonor, M.P. Mr J. Nicholson wanted an assurance from tho Minister that tho water from the Mining Company’s race would not be diverted to Naseby when tlio company abandoned all its rights. He suggested that the Government take over the upper part of the Ida race. Mr Marks (in reply to the Minister) said that the upper half of the race had been abandoned by the Mines Department. The Minister stated that he would get into touch at once with the Minister of Mines, and he would also see the manager of the Mining Company at Naseby, and see what could be done.

Mr T. Gilchrist said the people of Oturehua wanted a prior right to the water. Ho said that Naacby was only entitled to what water was not required by Oturehua. The Minister said they might be able to arrange to let the Oturehua people have some water right away, provided the race was all right. Mr Bitchener, in thanking the Minister for his replies to the requests of the deputation. said he was pleased to see the confidence the peoole of the district had in Mr Marks. The, Minister said that in Messrs Furkert and Marks the Public Works Department had two excellent men.—(Loud applause.) WEDDEREURN MATTERS.

At Weddcrburn Mr R. Inder made' a request that women be allowed to travel in floods trains between Weddcrburn and Ronfurly. They would travel one way bv the ordinary train, and they wished permission to return by the goods train. Mr M‘Vi!ly said the regulations did not permit of females travelling in goods trains. He would look into the matter. The department had an objection to females travelling in goods trains, but -would endeavour to got a portion of the van set apart for women if it were at all possible. He would do his best for them. —(Applause.) BIG MEETING AT RANFURLY. On arrival at Ranfurly a large number of settlers from the (own and surrounding country were present in the hall to welcome the Minister, who was given an excellent reception. He was welcomed - by Mr Kitchener on behalf of the residents, and by Mr I. J. Fraser on behalf of the Ranfiirly branch of the Dunback-Kokonga Railway League. I>U N BACKKOK ON IA RAILWAY. Mr V vaser said he noticed by the Otago Daily Times of that day that the residents of Alexandra, the previous night lad brought, before the Minister the question of a railway between Kokonga and Duniack. They had no communication with Christchurch except through Dm.ecin. The line was looked upon as dangerous. There was always the possibility of slips which would probably result in a stoppage of many months’ duration, and they felt that the time had arrived when we should have another route. The line through the Taiflri Gorge mast be in a very unsatisfactory

state, and it was “ generally understood that this line had become so dangerous that the depart nent was seriously considering the question of the construction of a line from Kokonga to Dunback, which was only some 25 miles. He realised that it would cost a large sum; but be felt sure that the circumstances warranted the expenditure. Mr Shand said it was not so much a business proposition as an insurance against loss should they be unable to get their stock and produce away via the usual Central route. Mr M’Villy kmvv the railway to be dangerous, otherwise there would be no need for an indemnity to be signed by passengers travelling by goods trains at night. The Minjster; Mr M’Villy is here. Why not ask him? Mr Shand, continuing, paid he understood the staff had a very trying time when running trains in the vicinity of Hindon. The men on the locomotives never knew the moment a stone would come ’ down. The Minister: Does not that apply to many lines in the dominion? Mr Shand said that although the premium might be heavy he considered it would be a expenditure. Mr S. Greer said he felt that he could not too strongly stress the danger of the line. They had been led to believe that the whole hill was moving, and they did not know when a serious accident would take place. The railway was the only means the settlers had of getting their stock and produce out. Their roads were not good enough to permit of motor transport. The Minister, in returning thanks for the welcome received, said that Mr M’Villy, Mr Jones, and Mr Marks, three, responsible officers of the departments; which he (the speaker) controlled were present, ne said that it was only right and proper that these officers should be given an opportunity of seeing for themselves the possibilities of the district. It was, in his opinion, necessary that these officers should travel and see file advances which the district was making, for this had a direct bearing on the amount of traffic forthcoming. This should result in an improvement of the services. He was quite satisfied from what he had seen in his journey through Central Otago that the expenditure of £400,000 was fully justified. He felt sure that a judicious expenditure of money on irrigation must result in greatly increasing the output of the produce of that district, and it was doing so now. The people were keen to take up irrigation. He had been endeavouring to stress the question of dairying, which so far had been greatly overlooked in Central Otago. The Government proposed to proceed progressively with irrigation. With regard to the allegations of danger in the Taieri Gorge, he could assure them that it was not_ more dangerous than many lines in New Zealand which he enumerated. With regard to lue suggested Kokonga-urmback line he did not wish to express an opinion until he had seen the country and had had an opportunity of fully considering the position. The line was 41 miles, not 25 as mentioned by one of the speakers, and its estimated cost was £1,162,000. The question was: Were they justified in spending that Mr W. Dowling: Certainly.—(Laughter.) Continuing, Mr Coates said that the proposed railway from Cromwell to Hawea was estimated to cost £20,000, and that was easy formation compared with the suggested line from Kokonga to Dunback, and the Hawea line was proposed to -be constructed in a place where, no railway existed. The question for them to consider was: Was it necessary that the Government should construct the line? And another question was; Would it pay ? Mr W. Dowling: It would not pay axle grease. In fact, it would not pay for the shadow of the engine passing.—(Loud laughter.) ... Mr Coates said they knew that in the construction of railways they did not always look for immediate return, but a return was looked for within a reasonable period. Do the settlors expect the department to get a return from this railway? Mr.W- Dowling: Never on your life.— (Laughter.) Mr Coates; If this railway were constructed a deal of the traffic would be diverted from the Central line. Mr Dowling; You would be robbing Peter to pay Paul. . , The Minister: You are quite right. Ine question was: Could they make it pay in 10 years? Many points had been raised, and his private secretary had clearly noted them all. They would be investigated and particulars supplied so that those making the representations would know as much as lie (the speaker). • _ Mr M’Villy said tnat so far as the Central Otago fine was concerned it was just as safe as any line in the dominion. The restrictions on the nassenger service were instituted when the line was first constructed. No one would condemn the North Island Main Trunk line because a serious accident happened there, nor were they prepared to condemn the ChnstchurchDunedin line because slips had occurred at Warrington or Ominxi. M?h© cost- of operating the Central Otago line was no greater than operating the middle portion of the Main Trunk line. The heavy annual loss on the Central Otago line was due to the settlers’ failure to supply the necessary o-cods for conveyance. He could assure them that the Central Otago lino was patrolled in exactly the same way as other lines of a. similar nature, and no additional permanent way staff was required, Oil the basis of one train each way per day the DK line would require to earn £IU,OW a year to make it pay.—(Loud applause.) Mr Jones, on being asked by the Minister to speak, said he was quite familiar with the Central Otago line. There were weak spots iii it, but nothing to be afraid of. Most of the slips which had taken place on the New Zealand Railways had occurred at places where they were least expected. Round about Hindoo there was danger, and it had to be watched. The same applied to many other places which he could name. The danger was not from slips but from falling stones. It was not a difficult line to maintain, and the lengths there were -very much longer than on the Trunk line. For example, the loss which had taken place on the Central Otago line was due to lack of revenue.—(Laughter and applause.) AN OVERHEAD BRIDGE. Mr Alex. Smith urged the erection of an overhead bridge at the Ranfurly railway station. This was supported by Mr MitMinister said he would have a look K f the site before coming to a decision. LOADING OS' CREAM AND WOOL. Messrs W. H. Davis, P. Bleach, and John O’Neill complained of having to sign an indemnity when loading their own wool and cream on trucks, anu the failure of the Railway Department to carry cream every week day. ~ , ... After Mr M’Villy had replied satisfactorily to the statements with regard to the indemnity and had promised to investigate the other question, the matter was allowed to drop. SPARKS FROM RAILWAY ENGINES. Mr M. Kinney (Hyde) referred to the burning ot grass alongside railw-y lines by sparks from passing locomotives. Ho thought the losers should be comuonsated. Mi T. Dowling said that the danger could be minimised if only hard coal were burned sa jj ho had been a heavy loser by these fires. In addition to having has grass burned he had had fencing posts destroyed, and the department would not .nvo him old sleepers to repair the damage. ° The Minister and Mr M’Villy denied that the department used soft coal on thd engine, but' Mr Dowling insisted that he knew for a fact that soft coal was used. Mr M’Villy stated further that ho would not admit that all these fires wore caused by sparks from locomotives. The question of supplying sleepers > replace the posts burned on Mr Christie’s fence would be looked into. NASEBY MATTERS. Mr Edward Morgan (chairman of the Maniototo County Council) brought up the matter of a heavy traffic bi-id--’ at the Allan crossing of the Manuhcrikia River on the St. Bathans-Hill’s Creek road. It was pointed out that the existing motor bridge was done, having been patched from time to lime, and assistance was required. . . i Mr Butley (county engineer) .said a new bridge would cost £2500. Mr Coates said lie would have a report made by bis engineers and see what could lx; done. , , The Mayor (Mr W. Strong) and Cr C. Horp asked the Minister - see what could be done to protect the borough from threatened damage by mining tailings in tbr- llosrburn sludge channel. The Minister pointed out that this was a matter for (he Mines Department, and he would be pleased to place the position before the Hon. G. J. Anderson.