DEPUTATION TO THE HON. W. ERASER.

Otago Witness, Issue 3195, 9 June 1915, Page 21

DEPUTATION TO THE HON. W. ERASER.

MANUHERIKIA IRRIGATION

GALLOWAY RUN. A deputation consisting of about a dozen gentlompn waited upon the Hon. W. Fraser (Minister of Public Works) on the 2nd inst. regarding the prosecution of the irrigation work at Manuherikia. Mr R. Scott, M.P., in introducing the deputation, said that it was some time since the scheme was started, and the people- in tlje district did not think that the work had been carried on as expeditiously as it might have been, and now wished to approach tho Minister with the object of having the work accelerated. Mr A. Bathgate, representing- the Otago Expansion League, said that the work not only concerned the people of Alexandra but the citizens of Dunedin as well. The points on which information was desired wore as to why tho contracts let had not been pushed on. He would like to know whether the Government intended to enforce the penalties against contractors if default was made.

Mr A. Ashworth (Mayor of Alexandra) said that they felt that the work was not being pushed on as it should be. Mr Fraser, as an old resident, knew what the land was capable of producing when the water was turned on to it, and how it would settle a large population. He pointed out that a reason for the work being pushed on was that in view of what was passing there would be an outcry for foodstuffs which could bo grown in the district if the land was irrigated. Only! one section of the work was progressing, and in other directions no work had been don© at all. They knew that the time for one contract would expire on the 22nd of this month, and desired to know if a penalty Was to be imposed in the event of the work not being completed. The excuse made was that hardwood could not be procured, but it was considered that what could be done ought to be done ready for the timber.

Mr C. E. Murphy pointed out that a promise had been made that the work would bo pushed on as snoodily as possible, and expressed the opinion that there was not a more productive work in the dominion.

Mr William Black said that the people of Alexandra realised that the Hon. Mr Fraser was very sincere in his desire to see the scheme completed. Still someone was to blame for tho work not going forward.

The Minister said that, personally, ho was

not satisfied -with the manner in which his instructions witli regard, to the work had been carried out. Early in January he had given instructions that 40 or 50 men were to be selected to start on the intake. Some men were taken from Clyde and Cromwell. The engineer had in hand at that time the darn at Manorburu; and thought tliat that was the more important work, while ho (the Minister) had thought the irrigation work was going on. -It was not tor some time afterwards that he had ascertained that the work was not going on. But in justice to those concerned in . carrying out his, instructions he desired to point out that for several months the best men in the country had been joining -the forces for the front. Whenever they had wanted first-class men to work there had been a difficulty in getting them. Then there was a difficulty as to overseers, for the engineer for the district could not possibly remain upon that particular work to supervise. There must be an overseer there, and he had been assured that thero was a first-class man available for that position, but he had been put on to the Slhotovor bridge. That work was also delayed through the difficulty of getting timber and steel. Since the war broke out it had been almost impossible to get these with any degree of certainty. Many of their resident engineers had left for the front, so that it was no light task at present for public works to bo carried out in the way one would like them to be. Still he was prepared to admit that the contractor had not done his work as expeditiously as he might have done, and unless the contractor could show that the delay had boon beyond his control he would have to suffer for it. because he (the speaker) was not going to have a contractor taking six. eight, or 12 months beyond his contract time. If the man had been careless he must pay the penalty. lie (Mr Fraser) had boon anxious to see the work done, and he was not going to rest in future. lie was going to have regular reports as to how matters wore proceeding. He had been fairly annoyed when ho found how things were going, because he had thought the work was going on. He did not want to be unfair to anybody. There were certain portions of the work that it was no use proceeding with until it was,seen that other work was fairly under way. If that work was done it would have to be done over again. It was his intention to« see that the work was carried out properly. THE GALLOWAY RUN. Mr Scott mentioned that some of those present wanted to bring under the horu gentleman’s notice the granting of a piece of land by the Land- Board, subject to the Minister’s approval, at Galloway. The man to whom it was granted already held a license over other land, and the deputation considered that an injustice was being done. Mr W. Black said that the Land Board had decided to grant 5500 acres on Galloway run as described, and some considered that what had been previously granted was sufficient to make a good living on. Mr Whelan, the licensee; contended that the land he held was not sufficient to make a living out of it. He ran 1200 sheep on it, and had sent away 30 bales of wool, and the speaker thought it was an injustice to allow him to have this other land without competition. What they asked for was that the land be put up and balloted for in the usual way. Mr Ashworth pointed* out that if a man was making a living 23 years ago on 4500 acres (the original holding) he ought to bo able to make something more than that now.

The Minister N said he would be pleased to place the facts before the Minister of Lands. Ho would find out what was at the bottom of it. The board must have some reason for acting as it had dono.