MINISTERS' MOVEMENTS

Otago Witness, Issue 3594, 30 January 1923, Page 5

MINISTERS' MOVEMENTS

TOUR OF CENTRAL OTAGO. DEPUTATIONS AT CROMWELL. v (Fiiom Our Own Correspondent.) CROMWELL, January 22. The Hon. J. G. Coates and the Hon. W. D. Stewart, and party, who are at present visiting Central Otago, arrived at Cromwell on Saturday evening. They were met by a large apd representative gathering ''of settlers and citizens who had various matters to ventilate. A few matters directly concerning the Ministers present were brought forward, land questions figuring prominently with the deputations. In connection with the Roaring Meg irrigation scheme, Mr Coates said that another survey was to be made with a view to bringing under the scope of the scheme land at a higher level than was originally intended. The scheme first outlined would provide also 1500 horse power electricity. The revised scheme would reduce this to about 800 horse power. The second survey would probably be completed in May. The Minister promised to ascertain the reason why seats on the Otago Central train could be reserved from Dunedin to Cromwell, but not from Cromwell to Dunedin. The big Kawarau River mining scheme was mentioned, and Mr Coates briefly said that it was an ambitious undertaking, and would afford ground for an interesting discussion. A great deal of time was spent hearing local views on the subdivision of Mount Pisa. These were chiefly to the effect that smaller areas than were proposed should be laid out, as by this means the small men weuld have a chance. It was further contended that the rabbit pest would be more effectively dealt with. The small holdings should combine hill country and an area cf flat land below. A protest against the extension of leases was raised in a case presented by the small settlers of Bannockburn, who sought small holdings of 400 to 500 acres of the Kawarau block of hill country. They presented a strong case and sought to show that they would extensively increase the carrying capacity of such areas, while no hardship would be suffered by the lessee, who, they claimed, would still have a big area of ploughable land and about 12,000 acres of hill country. The Minister could only say that he would present the case to the Minister of Lands. Representations were made in regard to the hardship to country subscribers in connection with the increased rates for telephones, the point made being that in small country towns few free calls were made. Mr Coates, in reply, pointed out the heavy increase in the amount expended on telephone extensions which could not be done at a loss. His latest proposals were in the direction of making the charges more equitable, increasing the charges on those in the cities who derived the greatest benefit. If necessary an official might visit the town and ascertain the effect locally. Both the Ministers, who were well received, spoke briefly, and were accorded a hearty vote of thanks for their interest in and attention to the wants of the district, From Cromwell the party went to Queenstown, Tarras, and Ardgour, and they will proceed this afternoon to Roxburgh. QUEENSTOWN, January 22. The Hon. J. G. Coates and the Hon. W. D. Stewart arrived at Queenstown yesterday per motor from Cromwell, where they have been engaged looking into the irrigation proposals. They left for Tarras in the afternoon. MINISTERIAL IMPRESSIONS. The ,U inister of Public Works (the Hon. J. G. Coates), accompanied by the Hon W D. Stewart, arrived in Dunedin on the after sixs days spent in Central Otago, where he paid particular attention to the irrigation schemes at present i n progress. Interviewed by a Daily Times reP or .^ r > Air Coates said that he was quite satisfied with the progress which was being made with the various schemes. He had now made his third trip through the Central, and after seeing the benefits of irrigation, he could only say that he had no reason to retract from any of the hopes riiat ne had expressed on previous occasions. He had absolute confidence in the future of Central Otago. Mr Coates went over the Roxburgh-Beau-mont railway, and he promises shortly to make an announcement of the date by which it is expected that fruit will be carried from Miller’s Flat by rail. HON. W. D. STEWART’S IMPRESSIONS. Questioned regarding his impressions of the Central trip, the Hon. W. D. Stewart remarked that that, had been the first occasion _on which he had been through, the district with the Minister and experts of the Public Works Department. He had become conversant with the schemes in prospect in the Maniototo, and had seen the results achieved already in Ida Valley * in d Galloway Flat. All the schemes were still in the course of development, but the results seemed sufficient to justify the optimism of the department as to the future of the dairying and fruit industries of Central Otago. One had only to look at the areas not yet irrigated and at those that had been irrigated already to realise the great prospects of the district. 1 ROXBURGH DEPUTATIONS. ROXBURGH, January 23. The Hon. J. G. Coates (Minister of Public Works) and party arrived here late yester day afternoon. After tea, the Minister, accompanied by Mr FuUcert and Mr Marks, visited the site of the syphon across the Teviot River, where a start has already been made to construct the race connecting it with the Teviot-Molyneux race. This is the commencement of the irrigation scheme for Roxburgh East. A visit was also made to the power house site of the Teviot Power Board. Later the Minister was met by several deputations introduced by the Mayor (Mr Rooney), who briefly welcomed Mr Coates and also the Hon. W. D. Stewart to the district. Mr J. H. Waigth, jun. (chairman of the Teviot Power Board), referred to the amalgamation of his hoard’s hydraulic works with those of the Public Works irrigation scheme, and asked the Minister to do all in his, power to up the construction of the syphon. He pointed out that the erection of the poles would be commenced in about a week, and the generating plant would be landing about August next, and the board was anxious that no delay should

occur in the work that was being carried out by the department. The Minister’s reply was most assuring, and he told the board that it could rely on the work being carried out expeditiously. Mr J. H. Waigth (representing the Teviot Fruitgrowers’ Association) and Dr Gilmour (transport carriers) asked the Minister for an extension of hours and the usual service (two hours) on Sundays and holidays for the telephone exchange. It was pointed out that the exchange was much used by the fruitgrowers in conjunction with the lorry owners for arranging the loading of fruit and a service on Sunday was absolutely essential. At present the exchange has 136 paying subscribers. Three more will be connected up in a week, and nine others have signed up, bringing the exchange within two of the number required for extended hours. The deputation asked for a 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. service on week days and two hours on Sundays and holidays. The Minister promised to go into the matter and comxnuni cate with Mr Horn. Messrs Kinaston and George (Roxburgh East Rabbit Board) brought under the notice of Mr Stewart the board’s disabilities in connection with certain Crown lands leased by the Teviot-Molyneux Company. It was infested with rabbits, and the board sought the assistance of the Minister in getting the responsibility of clearing it placed upon the right shoulders. The Minister assured the deputation that he would look into the matter and reply on his return to Wellington. Railway matters were brought before Mr Coates by Messrs Bennetts and Glendinning, who asked for additional facilities for the transport of fruit. They also asked for the speedy completion “of the railway to Miller’s Flat and a flying survey to Roxburgh, the Minister was quite sympathetic in his reply, lie assured the deputation that every effort was being made to push on the completion of the present works to Miller’s Flat. A survey to Roxburgh would also be made in due course, but at present all efforts would be concentrated on the works now under construction. At the conclusion of the deputations Mr J. Horn, M.P., and the Mayor thanked the Ministers, the former remarking that at all times he had received muiih assistance from them, particularly Mr Coates, whose department was much interested in Otago works.