A DEPUTATION

Otago Witness, Issue 2762, 20 February 1907, Page 13

A DEPUTATION

Later on, in Waipori itself, the Minister received a deputation, which was headed by Messrs R. Cotton and Knight. Ac explained by Mr Cotton, the deputation desired the Minister to place £500 on the Estimates to maie a deviation at O'Brien's Hill— a bone of contention between Waipori and Lawrence. With the exception of Dart of Bulger's Flat the roads apart from the place indicated were good. No survey had been made of the proposed deviation, the cost of making which would be about £250 or £3CO. In asking for £500 they were making allowance for what ■was necessary at Bulger's Flat. Mr Knight claimed for the hydraulic dredges that they were much cheaper than the steam dredges. He thought that a larger area, say 200 acres, should be permitted where dredges were working over old ground than ■was permitted now. Unless a somewhat larger area to include the tailings of tho dredges were granted the hydraulic dredges would not be put on. He had been asked also to mention the question of the prospecting of the deep lead, of which there were indications running through Waipori Flat. The lead ran for many miles. If the Government would send boring rods with men that understood them to put down bores it would prepare the wav for the working of all the payable ground. Mr R. J. Cotton emphasised the need of boring rods. If the depth of the lead were proven it would be of use not only to those on the spot but to others outside who might be willing to embark their capital. During the last year or eigntecn months the district had declined somewhat, as was shown by the fact that the school had only 20 scholars now, as against 50 then. Mr Knight called the Minister's attention to the wanton interference of pereons with timber in tunne's and shafts that bad been left by miner* and the destruction of huts. "He thought the shafts ebould be protected. Th« channel and shaft were often at oorsidarable value, and the hut was always valuable to the men who were prospecting. Mr Cotton a^ked that a geological survey should be made of the district either by Dr Bell or his assistant — a request which was backed up by Mr Johi-son, who pointed out that there were many "minerals in the district besides gold. Mr Knight expressed a general desire on the part of the Waipori people for telephonic communication with Dunedip. either via Milton or any other convenient way. Mr M 'Go wan promised to bring- the matter of the vote of £oCO for tiie Ovation of the road at O'Brien's Hill and improvement of Bulger's Hill before tho notice of the Minister of Public Works. He did not see his way to bring about an alteration of the law in respect of rhe demand for an increased area over dredging ground. There were no more boring rod* available than were in use just now, but he ad'Uscd them to make formal application. He did not think the law could be amended in the way suggested by Mr Knight vith respect to dainave to the timber in tunnels and shafts. It would not do to throw the onus of proving themselves innocent on persons who might be accused tf doing damage. A proper geological survey was being made of the colon y, and there were over 200 applications fo r Dr Bell's services. The applications wou!d be <tealt with in order. Tho Government geologist was not sent to report upon a special property. The reports of the geologist were intended lo benefit the whole community. Telephonic communication was undoubtedly a very important matter. and he would bring their request respecting this question before the Postmastergeneral. He was pleased with what he had seen of the surrounding country, which \ia« not suffering' from the droujrht half .so much as many tilaccs ho had visited in *""-«ntral Otago and in Caotprhurr*