LAND AT WAIPORI POWER STATION.

Otago Witness, Issue 2921, 9 March 1910, Page 9

LAND AT WAIPORI POWER STATION.

DUNEDIN CITY'S APPLICATION.

LOCAL OBJECTORS HEARD. At the Warden's Court at Lawrence last week, before Mr J. R. Bartholomew, warden, the Dunedin City Corporation's application, to purchase 300 acres of land adjacent to their power house at Waipori Falls was heard.

Mr Finlayson appeared in support of the application, which was opposed by the Tuapeka Mining Association and the residents of Waipori (represented by MrFletcher) on the ground that the area applied for is bush land carrying timber suitable for mining purposes and that it is the most accessible area of mining timber to Waipori. The Warden intimated that he had personally made a close inspection of the locality, and would therefore be in a position to weigh the evidence brought before him. He read a telegram from the Mines Department suggesting that the case should be adjourned to give it an opportunity of considering whether it should be represented. To this he had replied that as all the parties were present and it would mean putting them to great expense to adjourn the application, he proposed hearing the evidence and, after communicating with the department, putting in hie report to 'the Land Board. Mr Finlayson stated the objects for which the Dunedin City Council desired the freehold of the area applied for. These were (1) to replant with trees for the purpose of conserving the water which supplies the corporation power-house; (2) by having absolute control to minimise the danger to its property from bush fires: and ■ (3) to beautify the surroundings of its powerhouse. Evidence was then heard from objectors. Robert Marshall, who had been in th<» emplov of the O.P.Q. Company, deposed that all the timber required for the mine had been obtained from the Waipori bush in the vicinity of the power-house. Richard John Cotton, miner, and Robert Cotton, runhokler, gave evidence to the effect that a. I*rsre proportion of the area of land applied for carried timber suitable for mining purposes, and that on other parte there was a growth of young manuka ooming on that would be very serviceable in from 10 to 15 years. Further, it was the most accessible oortion of the bush, and if the apoiication were granted it would mean an increased cost of timber for mining purposes.In reply to Mr Finlayson. Richard Cotton admitted having recommended the Ca.nton Ouartz Reef Comnanv to object, and he knew that it had refused to do so. He had not accompanied M" Water*, who was sent up to report on its behalf, over the ground. Tn rcyolv to the Warden the same -witness said that the roads that likely to be blocked led <o the applied for: that no mining timber hod been taken out of the bush s'nee the O.P.Q. shut ''own : that, owing to the revival of reefing there would h'kely be a lot of timber required, and that the situation of the roads precluded its being obtained from other parts of the bush area.

Tn reply to the Warden, M'- P-. Cotton said the companies thf»t wowld likely »«• quire timber were the Canton, Cox's, Victory, and the. O.P.Q. L. 0. Beal, mining _ engineer, Dunedin. deposed that the mining timber used in

Waipori in the past had been obtained from this locality of the Waipori bush, and there was still a good deal of mining timber available. The objects for which the Dunedin City Corporation required the area appeared inconsistent. To Mr Finlavson: The water supply would be better Vith the bush preserved—bush had a very considerable influence on water supply. Electric power might be helpful to the mining industry in Waipori, but as most of the mines were commanded bv good water supplies he thought they would find it more economical to work them by water-power. He estimated that between 50 and 60 acres of the area applied for carried mining timber. W. R. Smyth president of the Tuapefca Mining Association), D. M'lntosh W. Peters, and J. Williams (members of the association), who had visited the locality on the previous day, gave evidence as to the existence of a quantity of timber suitable for mining purposes on the area applied for. . Edgar E. Stark, city electrical engineer, gave evidence at considerable length. He said the primary object of the city in applying for the land was to conserve the water supply, which was utilised for working the governors and for domestic purposes. It was essential that the supply should be constant and 'that it be clear and clean Since the bush on the area applied for had been burned off they had found the supply insufficient, and it would be only by replanting the area with trees that the water supply which operated their delicate electrical machinery could be augmented and kept free from defilement. There was actually only about 20 acres of good timber on the area, all the accessible timber having been out out. In support of this he pointed out that the contractor for thentunnel was at present drawing his supply of props from the other side of Shepherd s Creek. To obviate the risk from fire, they had cut add corded all the dead timber near their houses. . - In cross-examination witness said it was not feasible to augment their supply ot water from Shepherd's Creek. In replv to the warden, witness said there was probably 100 C acres of bush whidh was readily accessible with ,a htt.e roading. . . .'.' '.!_ F. S. Williams, mining engineer, g*ne corroborative evidence. ■ John Edie, county engineer, deposed that after an inspection of the area by the county chairman the .member for the riding, and himself, it had been decided to withdraw the council's objection. was, he said, on!;/ about 30 acres of bush within the area. - M This was all the evidence, and aftei Mr Fletcher had briefly addressed the court. The Warden said he would give the matter his serious consideration and make his recommendation in due course.— i-ua-peka Times.