WEST COAST NEWS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3510, 21 June 1921, Page 26

WEST COAST NEWS.

(Fp.oai Our Own Correspondent.) June 14. Tlie visit of Hon. G. J. Anderson, Alinister of Alines, to the district has roused widespread interest amongst -all local bodies and representatives of the various industries, and a large number of deputations waited upon him not only iri respect to matters pertaining to his own department, but on other subjects, with a view to- receiving his sympathy and influence with other Ministers. He visited all centres in the district, and as an old miner, manifested a keen and intelligent interest in the mineral industries. At Greymouth, in introducing him to the various deputations, the Mayor called attention to the serious efi'ect which the war had had upon the mining industries. During last year while £90,0J0 had been expended on the Tourist Department the mines had -received only £39,000. He regretted the necessity for the large importations of coal, and expressed the hope that a policy cf generous assistance to the mining industry in the Dominion would soon obviate that necessity. One of the speakers in referring to .the gold mining industry affirmed his conviction that much of ihe ground in the district which had been partially worked in the early days could, by the employment of modern methods, be made to yield as much as it had done before. The member for the district, speaking to the visitor in his capacity-'*ss Alinister of Labour, referred to the decline in sawmilling and the consequent increase of unemployment, and urged him to push on the completion of the new State mine, a work which could be made to provide employment for a large number of hands. The Minister in reply promised to do this, and expressed his anxiety to terminate the importation of coal as soon as possible. The industries and railways must, however, be kept going, and if home production Was not sufficient then it must be done by foreign coal. In reference to gold development he stated that he intended to ask for a considerable grant for the assistance of prospecting. Nothing, however, would be available for speculation. Referring particularly to the recent discovery at Alexander River he said that the discoverers should prove the reefs, and if possible, work them. When the reefs were proved it would not be difficult to obtain Government assistance towards their development. In replying at Reefton to a deputation in reference to a road to the new gold field the Minister stated that the road they proposed would cost £4OOO per mile, while that for the survey route would be only £I6OO. The natural route was via Snowy Creek, but everything depended upon the development of the gold. If the reefs justified anticipations then a load would he required by both routes. The perennial subject of the Reefton- Westport railway was again brought forward, but received little encouragement from the Minister. He quite appreciated its importance, but the Odra Tunnel and the East and West Coast line in the North Island were more immediately necessary. - —Oil Prospecting.—• Prospecting for oil is being seriously attempted in the district. Investigations made a year or two ago were sufficiently encouraging to induce capitalists to make a tnorough trial of the possibilities. Machinery has recently been imported, and boring operations will be undertaken in the southern part of the district. • —Greymouth Native Reserve.— The question of the purchase of the Grevrnou.th Native reserve by the Borough Council, which has been advocated from time to tune for some years, has again come before the public, and was made the subject of one of tho deputations which waited on the Minister of Alines. The greater part of the town of Greymouth is built on Native reserve, and the Maoris receive a rental oi about £4OO per annum. The position is reviewed every 21 years, and naturally tne individual lessees are loath to expend money upon an unsecure tenure, the consequence being that many of the premises in the town are in a dilapidated state, or of a poor character. The character of residential buildings is decidedly better outside the boundaries of the reserve. The proposal is that legislation should be passed empowering the Borough Council to purvalue of £140,000, and lease the sections to the present occupiers, they having the option of accepting the freehold unimproved basis. A petition in favour of some such proposal was recently presented to the Coutied signed by over 80 of the present leaseholders. It is claimed that under this scheme the Natives would receive a. 75 per cent, larger rental, while the lessees would be in a much more favourable position. In view of the approaching completion of the Midland Railway it is felt to be most urgent for the property of the distirct that the present conditions should cease. When the question was lust mooted the Natives tried unsuccessfully to secure a partition of tne sections. It is hoped, therefore tuat they may now be willing to sell en oloc, tnougu the difficulty of secur'uo- a (Hie under the tribal system of the Alaoris is nm overlooked. Over £IOO,OCO lias been spent within the reserve on public works, and the lessees feel, therefore, that they are entitled to some consideration. The A 1 mister expres-ed entire sympathy with the suggestion, so long as it was clear that no injustice would be done to the Natives. —Co-operalive Alining. Tho experiment of co-operative coal nulling continues successful. Several parties are now at work, one having opened au exceptionally fine scam of household coal on what was formerly State mine property. - Miners’ Half-holiday.— General satisfaction is felt amongst miners ■ii the success of the Reefton mining companies in securing such » favourabhUngrc etho principle of payment for the half '-holiday. The decision is regarded as the concession on the part of the employers of the principle of payment for the halfJtolday. These companies are the firs tin the Dominion to gain such recognition. Otira. Tunnel.--Ihe last shot of the top dressing of the Otira Tunnel has been fired, and "the condoling will now ho proceeded with. Tho work in the tunnel is progressing satisfactorily. Some little trouble occurred recently over the payment of rnotornien,, the question being whether an increase in wages should be retrospective. Pending decision of the point, the work was not interrupted, and as the amount involved is inconsiderable, it is not expected that any further difficulty will arise.