AN OLD FAMILIAR

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22256, 8 May 1934, Page 8

AN OLD FAMILIAR

DAMMING HAWEA AND WANAKA IMMEDIATE ACTION URGED EXTRAORDINARY OPTIMISM OF MINERS (From Ocb Special Reporter.) ROXBURGH, May 7. Cabinet Ministers visiting Central Otago may be excused for thinking that there is nothing new under the sun. There seems to be no limit to the patience and persistence of the settlers in this region when it comes to the “boosting" of their special enthusiasms. The Minister of Employment (Mr Adam Hamilton) aud Messrs Jessep and Bromley, of the Unemployment Board, must have been convinced of this to-day when they heard yet another recitation of the El Dorado which must follow the closing of the outlets to Wanaka and Hawea. Few schemes in Central Otago have been the subject of more strenuous importunity than the Wanaka-Hawea project, the prosecution of which is being relentlessly urged regardless of cost. One well-known settler with a special "knowledge of Government expenditure in this part, of the province remarked at the conclusion of the afternoon’s proceedings that, notwithstanding his attachment to the district, he would, if he were Prime Minister, put a wall round Central Otago and keep away from the place. There was nothing new in to-day’s representations except the suggestion that, seeing that everyone else appeared to have turned up their noses at the proposal the Unmployment Board should build the dams and recoup itself for its expenditure by reserving the title to the river banks and collecting a royalty on all gold won. Mr W. A. Bodkin and Mr John Bennetts made out a strong case, and emphasised the permanent character of such a work, and at the same time urged that no time was more propitious than the present in view of the new dam on the Manuherikia River and the proposed structure on the Kawarau. It was even suggested that when the new Kawarau dam was -put in hand the old Kawarau gates could be removed to Hawea and used again. Mr T. M. Ball (district Public Works engineer) said measurements had shown this proposal to be practicable. Mr Hamilton questioned whether the board would get its due share of the gold, and said that in any case the board could not afford to gamble on such, a laige scale. He bad been of the opinion that one of the chief drawbacks of the scheme was the lack of unanimity locally; but on this point he was assured by Mr Bodkin that there was a widespread and incessant demand for the work to be put in hand. The Minister said the matter would be carefully considered, but it was a question of risks. They could not gan.ble with the bread and butter of the unemployed. Mr Jessep was a man who would take a risk with anyone, but even he would think twice about this. Mr Bodkin asked if the board would finance the necessary boring operations by the Public Works Department. Mr Jessep said the question had been brought up many times beforehand would no doubt be heard of. many times again. There had been numerous reports on the subject, and none of them had been very helpful. The lowering of the level of the water in the Molyneux had been urged by the miners for 50 years, and he was afraid that all they could promise was to go into the whole question again. CONTINUATION OF TOUR. Mr Hamilton, Mr Jessep, and Mr Bromley will not now visit Cromwell. To-morrow they will meet deputations and the Vincent and Maniototo County mining . executives at Alexandra and Clyde, spending the night at' Clyde and leaving for Queenstown on Wednesday morning.