SETTLERS GENERALLY SATISFIED.

Otago Witness, Issue 3861, 13 March 1928, Page 18

SETTLERS GENERALLY SATISFIED.

EXTENSION OF RAILWAY URGED. QUEENSTOWN, March 7. The visiting Alinisters—Mr J. G. Coates (Prime Minister), Mr K. 8. Williams (Minister of Public Works), and Mr A. D. M'Leod (Minister of LandsJ —ar e delighted with the little opposition shown to the irrigation works of the Government. They wer e led to expect much, but they have found little. Objections there may b-a to some features of the administration in connection with the schemes, but the schemes themselves have met with almost unanimous approval and support from the farmers. There was talk at Fruitlands of people changing over from fruit to mixed farming, but at all other places it has been found that the settlers are satisfied and ready and willing to carry on, notwithstanding a few disadvantages and difficulties in the way of water rates and other matters that present themselves from time to time. Altogether the Ministers are cheerful about the prospects. Mr Coates remarked to a Daily Times reporter: “It seems to me the position is that there has been a shortage of water, and owing to a few breaks in the races some discontent has been caused, as the earning power of the people has been reduced to some extent. It ha s to be remembered also that the Manuherikia scheme is dependent on th e flow of the river and is not backed up with conservations sufficient to meet any deficiency that may arise owing to th e vagaries of Nature, thus leading ,to circumstances over which we have no control. Of course, all beginners expect more than ought legitimately to be looked Tor, and an element of disappointment has been evident among a few of the settlers. Farming is the same all the world over, particularly in the initial stages. On the other hand, the man who sticks to it is the man who comes out successfully, and this has been proved over and over again. In irrigation we have not had a -great deal of experience. We admit that; and. no doubt there is room for careful consideration in legard to tile different classes of land and the amount of water necessary to provide for the development of various areas. Our h av e been based more or less definitely on standard lines, which may not, provide sufficient elasticity in the early years of development.” Axr Coates added that* no doubt some men were having a hard fight, and such cases ought to be considered on their merits.

DEPARTURE FROM ALEXANDRA. Before leaving Alexandra this morning Air and Airs Coates visited the local school, and Air Coates gave a brief address to the children.

Proceeding to Clyde, the Prime Alinister took the road via Dunstan Flat and Muttontown, crossing an area of sandy country which he wished to see in view of the possibility of unemployed being placed at work there. RIPPONVALE.

The Alinister of Lands paid a visit to Ripponvale to meet the growers to whom water is supplied by the Cromwell Development Company. The settlers claimed that the water supply was not sufficient to allow them to get the best out of their holdings. They suggested the obtaining of a supplementary supply from the Government.

In reply to a question by the Minister, a settler said that in addition to the 35s per acre which the company had a right to charge they would be prepared to pay extra money to the Government for the supplementary supply. They asked the Alinister if this could be obtained from a tributary of the Aleg, which was reserved by the Government. They asked

to be allowed to extend their race to Deep Creek. Air Butterfield (manager of the company) generally objected to the statements of the settlers. In reply, Mr M’Leod indicated that he was not favourable to the proposal to take water from the Meg. However, he would consider the whole question. TARRAS. At Tairas a shortage of water was alleged. The supply is obtained from the Lindis River, but it is insufficient to cover the area. The Prime Minister said that both in the Lindis district and further up investigations were being made. It was suggested that the supply should be taken from the Hawea, together with a dam on the Lindis River, and the deputation was unanimous in saying that the season had been a very dry one. The Prime Alinister said the department was also looking into the possibility of storage. In reply to a question, it was admitted by the deputation that the charges were not unreasonable. Mr J. R. Marks said the department had made the rivet water available, and inquiries were now being made into the possibility of dams. The season had been a bad one- In an average season there would be a fair supply af water right through. The Prime Minister said inquiry would also be made into the nature of the soils of the district.

In reply to a question, Mr Marks said that the survey now being made would occupy six weeks, and it would probably be four or five months before' the plans were ready. It was also urged by the deputation that extra water should be passed on to the settlers who were ■s/illing to pay for it. Another member of the deputation urged improved postal facilities and asked

for three services a week in place of the present unsatisfactory arrangement. The Prime Alinister said he would have this matter looked into. The Chairman (Air Jenkins) assured the Prime Alinister that the settlers were thankful to the Government for its sympathy towards them. They recognised that the Government had done its best to send the water along as far as it was possible for it to go. In reply, Mr Coates said the Alinisters had reason to be satisfied with what they had seen. It would enable them to discount a lot of the pessimism of those who did not know all that had happened. ARDGOUR. A deputation of Ardgour settlers asked for an enlargement of the race. Si-i-xj last year the race has been enlarged for half its distance, and the settlers wanted it widened al] the way. Mr F. W. Furkert, engineer-in-chief, said the work was to be carried out in the winter. Members of the deputation urged th-is the supply of water was insufficient to cover the land in the district. They wanted half a« much again as one heal per acre was not enough. lhe Prime Minister informed the settlers that inquiries were being made as to an improved water supply and storage WANAKA. The party arrived at Pembroke for lunch at 3 p.m. Immediately afterwards an adjournment was made to the Public Hall, where Wanaka’s needs were outlined by Air R. Scaife. He commenced by ex- . plaining that although Wanaka suffered several serious disabilities as a district the settlers had few real grievances, and made up a comparatively contented community. The first request made by Mr Scaife wa« for a renewal of consideration of the project to extend the Central railway from Cromwell to Luggate. Mr Coates had promised three years ago that the matter would be looked into, and a report obtained. The settlers were still awaiting news of a favourable decision. There was nothing new to mention about the advantages of such a course, so he would merely leave the matter in their hands. Mr Horn, who introduced the deputation, said that 80 per cent, of the land to be tapped was Crown land. When the railhead was brought to Cromwell land appreciated in value by from £2 to £4-• an acre. The same should happen in this case, thus providing an incentive for speedy action. Mr Williams, in reply, said it was true that a report had been submitted, but a definite policy had been laid down before he took over the Public Works Department, and he had to follow it. He could not promise anything, but he assured his hearers that the question would not be forgotten.

Air Coates said the extension would cost £300,000, and the encouragement offering in freight and traffic was very meagre. No scheme in New Zealand had been given more serious consideration. Railway construction and irrigation should go hand in hand, and irrigation in Wanata, with its increased production, would demand that the work should be done ; but as yet it was not an attractive proposition, nor was it an economical one. Future development had to be taken into account, however, so that the idea would not be lost sight of. Mr Scaife said he had been asked to mention the Hawea-Wanaka hydro-electrio scheme. He knew it was a vast * undertaking ; but it had the greatest possibilities of any scheme in New Zealand, being capable of producing 80,000 h.p. If it could be completed it would greatly help irrigation in the valley at present, and would facilitate the institution of new schemes. Facts and figures in this respect were well known to them. Would the Minister make a statement on what wax projected? The Minister of Public Works said that this matter was receiving consideration in the proper place; but they must remember that everything depended upon the demand for power. Mr Coates reminded his hearers that the Monowai and Waipori schemes, which could yet be increased, and also the Teviot scheme, had cut into the scope of HaweaWanaka making such a vast project less justifiable. However, th e matter would be looked into, and he thought it would be • developed when there was a reasonable prospect of a sufficient demand. Mr Scaife complained that Wanaka, as a tourist resort, was not being given a fair chance to compete with the northern resorts because of departmental indifference and apathy in the North Island, and he would like the Government to look into it. He also asked that th e county should be given some assistance in providing better roads to popular resorts which were now inaccessible. Mr Coates said li e thought that this complaint had been answered by the Minis- _ ter concerned very recently. However, thjfmatter would be given thorough attention. The department did not purposely attempt to decry the South Island or dissuade tourists from going there. They should remember that tlie North Island resorts were far nearer the centres and could be done by flying visits. That explained the north's greater volume of tourist traffic. In respect of a request for Government assistance to repair the old wharf for use in place of th e newer one, which now was unsuitable, the Minister 'of Public Works promised to find £4OO if the county paid £2OO. The Minister of Public Works promised to pass on to the Department of Agriculture a request that tb e eradication of " sweetbriar should be investigated.

HAWEA FLAT POST OFFICE. The request of the Hawfea Flat settlers that their post office should be added to by the construction of a shelter porch wag made to Mr Williams, who promised to confer with the Postmaster-general.

ARROWTOWN. Shortly after a quarter-past 6 the party reached Arrowtown, and a welcome was extended to the visitors in the Town Hall. Mr Reid, chairman of the County Council, presided. In opening the proceedings, the Chairman said it was not owing to anything emanating from Arrowtown that certain sensational statements respecting irrigation had appeared in the press.—(“ Hear, hear.”) Speaking of the Arrowtown irrigation scheme, he said that if anyone knew of better engineers than those of the Public Works Department let them come along. The officers wer e as trustworthy, capable, and progressive as any set of men in any other part of the world. When someone said in the paper that the Arrowtown scheme should be scrapped, and that the £90,000 spent upon it should be written off, he took strong exception to it. As a matter of fact, the Government had not expended more than £50,000 on the scheme. It would seem, therefore, that someone had been badly informed in that matter, and information coming from that source was mot reliable. As to the scheme itself, he believed that when it was completed it would be a success from every point of view, and would be the means by which many farmers would become in dependent. Further, it would lead to closer settlement. It was a well-thought out scheme. It had been said that the

channels-were in the wrong place. Well, for himself, so far as that matter was concerned, he would support the engineers and take their word in a question of that kind and not the word of people who chose to give their views m a newspaper The scheme would prove a- boon to every settler and to the district. The question of developing electricity from the scheme had been raised, and he desired to say that an arrangement had been made for sufficient water to provide power for the locality. As to the party to develop the power afterwards, it wag a matter of arrangement between the Government and the local body. Mr W Reid spoke of the repairs required to thre e bridges on the main highway, and asked for Government assistance, as there was a large amount of foreign traffic through the district. He also touched on the irrigation question, and expressed the hope that the worK Would be hurried along in time for next year.' As a matter of information, he asked, if the race broke and water damaged a farm, who would pay the dam age ?

Mr Furkert: We have had some cases of the kind, but we have not paid anyone yet.—(Laughter.) Mr Marks said that breaks had occurred in different irrigation schemes, but the damage had not been sufficient to cause anyone to make a claim. In reply to a question, Mr Furkert said the County Council could raise a loan Without a poll of th e ratepayers by the Highways Board doing a work and obtaining repayment from the council extending over a period of years. It was & vicious system of finance, however, to borrow to make repairs. in reply to a question, Mr Furkert said the scheme would not be readv for next, •lunmer, but for the summer of 1929. Mr Lee asked for a concession on the lake steamer for show stock as was allowed on the railway. He also brought up the question of the spread of St.-John’s wort. It was an impossible thing to deal with it under the Noxious Weeds Act, and ■ there was danger of the nuisance spreading to better land or to hill country, thus reducing the value of the land considerably. He asked if steps could be taken to find out something to deal with it as ragwort had been dealt with. The Prime Minister, in reply, said he would go into the question of a concession on the lake steamer for show stock. If anything wag done in that way for the show next week it must not be taken as a precedent.—(Applause.) He could not say whether the Science Department had ‘investigated the St. John’s wort difficulty • but on his return to Wellington he would request the head of that department to take the matter in hand in conjunction with the Department of Agriculture At the close of the deputation cheers were given for the Ministerial party. DEPUTATIONS AT QUEENSTOWN. After dinner in the evening, the Ministers wer e met at Eichardt’s Hotel by three deputations. The first was headed by the Mayor oi Queenstown, who explained at great length the needs of the borough, which were out of all proportion to the rating value and assets. The chief request was for a subsidy for drainage work. 'The value of Queenstown as a tourist resort was put forward as a reason for goino- to the Government for help. Dr Anderson also spoke on the need for better drainage facilities. The Prime Minister said he realised their position with their low rating value owing to a moving population, and tlTby must undoubtedly look after Queenstown as a tourist resort; he was afraid the Government could hardly think of Buch a subsidy. However, it was a matter for the Minister of Tourist ReBorts, to whom he would refer the matter. A combined deputation from the Lake

County Council and Sheepowners’ Federation introduced the subject of the de- . Btruction of keas, which they understood from the Government was being facilitated in every way. The keas were a serious menace in the high country, and although the Government was paying a subsidy for the destruction of keas, it had protected these birds in the Mount Cook National Park, where the Mount Cook Company had a lease which allowed it to protect keas. Many of these birds Were coming now from Mount Cook to Lake County, where heavy sheep losses were suffered. They would like the Government to take up the matter and make the destruction of keas wholesale Bnd unhindered.

Messrs M'Kenzie and Cockbura spoke of the ravages of keas, and stressed the anomaly of having a breeding place in existence in one part of the country r.t the same time that the destruction of keas was being carried out elsewhere. In one district the losses of sheep had exceeded 500, and one settler said he lost 60 sheep in a night. If the Government could not cancel the present lease to the company they would like an assurance that no similar leases would be granted. • Mr M‘Leod said that so far as the lease was concerned they need not worry. There was a difference of opinion as to the extent of this menace; but he understood from competent judges that the damage done was very great still. It had been the experience of the Government that parliamentary inquiries into the subject generally collapsed owing to •insufficient first-hand evidence. However. he would look into the matter of the Mount Cook Company's lease and see what could be done. PRIME MINISTER INTERVIEWED. 4 COMMITTEE OF INVESTIGATION. Mr J. G. Coates (Prime Minister) was interviewed by "bur representative with regard to his recent tour of Central Otago. “ I was pleased to note,” said Mr Coates, “ that the general progress of irrigation development in Central Otago is very marked since my last visit, and is certainly in a fair way now to coming up to my best expectations. The general consensus of opinion expressed by settlers at the several meetings held, publicly as well as privately, during the course of the visit of myself and my two colleagues —the Minister of Lands and the Minister of Public Works—is that there was no call for the pessimistic statements which have been circulated, and that if some of the smaller difficulties and grievances inseparable from all large development schemes are looked intc and adjusted there can be no reason to doubt the prosperity of Central Otago.” “ With a view to an early adjustment and removal of difficulties, I have approved of the setting up of a Committee of Investigation, which, I hope, will commence its duties in about a fortnight. The investigation will also deal with matters concerning the operating side of irrigation. The committee will undertake the systematic inspection of individual holdings throughout the irrigated areas, and its personnel will be announced with as little delay as possible shortly after my return to Wellington at the middle of the week. It will probably consist of five or six members, including representatives of the State Departments concerned and re - lentatives of the settlers in the district.” THE RURAL CREDITS SCHEME. “ I would like again to draw attention to the provision which has been made under the Rural Credits legislation of 1926 and the Intermediate Credits Act of last session, which have been designed to afford easier financial facilities for the farmer. I commend both these measures to all primary producers—those in Central Otago as well as other parts of the Dominion.” IMPRESSIONS OF THE TOUR MR M'LEOD INTERVIEWED. Interviewed by our representative on his return to Dunedin on Sunday evening, Mr A. D. M‘Lood (Minister of Lands) stated that in company with his colleague, ffic Minister of Public Works (Mr Williams), he had during the past week travelled close upon 1000 miles in the rural districts of Otago and Southland \ “ Since my previous visit to Central Otago two years ago.” said the Minister. “ considerable improvement has taken, place in the matter of irrigation, and this, combined with tho general improvement of pasture in the dry areas, due to the absence of the rabbit pest- gives promise of i greatly enhanced production from the district as time goes on . was plea c i n g to note also that in the high country runs where the rainfall is sufficient, some of the holders are adontino. with a rons’der able degree of success the top-dressing of •'iffa'ile portions of their lower country, thereby increasing the stock carrying capacity during rhe winter months. “We were greatly impressed.” continued the Minister, ‘‘with the extent and the development of the Southland district A wide area was traversed and almost without exception the pasture and crops were found to be tn good heart and in striking contrast to those in minv distr’ets in the north which have suffered so severely from the recent drought Few rabbits wore -o n r> ~„d ih“ settlers gonors'l-n are confident that they can now be kept perman"”tly in check ”

.M r ,M‘T.eod concluded by stating that with the exception of nortions of the GoreDunedin highway, which were not con ducive to comfortable travel, the whole rt the roads traversed were in excellent condition and compared more than favourably with those in manv ol'ie- he hail visited throughout New Zeeland.