MINISTER OF LANDS

Southland Times, Issue 22096, 17 August 1933, Page 4

MINISTER OF LANDS

VISIT TO GORE. DEPUTATIONS RECEIVED. The Minister of Lands (the Hon. E. A. Ransom) visited Gore yesterday morning and was welcomed by his Worship the Mayor (Mr A. T. Newman) and a gathering of councillors at the Borough Chambers. Several requests were put before the Minister, who later inspected the proposed site for a women’s rest room. Mr Ransom left in the afternoon for the north. In extending a welcome, the Mayor said he believed this was Mr Ransom's first visit to Gore since his elevation to Cabinet rank. Gore had not felt the hard times so much as other centres and was in a sound position, as fortunately the borough was not heavily in debt. Credit for this position was due to the former administrators of borpugh affairs who had conducted matters with so much foresight that the borough had few financial troubles. In reply, the Minister said that Gore possessed a very fine district and it was not surprising that the people had such a fine town. He had been greatly impressed with Southland on his first visit about four years ago when he was Minister of Public Works. He always had an eye on the country and he knew that if the country was good a fine town would spring up. 'lt was very gratifying to know that the borough was in such a favourable position. ■ Access to Croydon Domain. The Mayor then placed before the Minister a request in connection with the access to the Waimumu end of . the Croydon Domain. He said that the domain occupied some 2000 acres of native bush and contained some very beautiful scenery. The council had put a track through the domain, but at the Waimumu end it was necessary to traverse private property. There was a piece of freehold property adjoining the road and then there was a section of Crown land held on lease in perpetuity by Mr J. B. Kerr. The owners of these properties had readily given their permission for the track to go over their properties, but it would naturally be preferable if permanent access were provided. Councillor G. C. Hamilton said that the desired access was to the best section of the bush, the other end having been cut out of timber trees. At the Waimumu end was what was probably one of the finest pieces of native bush in New Zealand, as it contained many rare specimens of ferns and flora and also fossils. It was of great scientific interest and scientists invariably visited this bush when travelling in New Zealand. The cut out section of the bush to which the only access was obtainable was not so interesting. • Mr Kerr said he had no objection to the track passing through his property so long as it adhered to the boundary line and did not split up the most valuable portion of the property. Mr Ransom said that as Minister in charge of scenic reserves he was naturally much interested in such reserves. He realized that reasonable access should be available to the property, and he thought that the best course would be for the council to make a private arrangement with Mr Kerr. A road was neither necessary nor desirable, but a small area could be made available for the track along the section boundary as suggested by Mr Kerr. The alternative would be fcr the land to be taken under the Public Works Act, but he did not think that would be necessary as a full road was not required. An easement could be arranged with Mr Kerr, and it was desirable that this should be a permanent arrangement. The council could then deal with the owner of the freehold, property. Mr David McDougall said he wished the Minister to have a look at the site near the Mersey street railway crossing where it was proposed _ to erect a women’s rest room and give his opinion whether it. would be dangerous or The Minister promised to inspect the site, but he did not know what special qualifications he possessed to judge whether it was dangerous or not.