THE MINISTER OF LANDS AT OXFORD.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5567, 16 May 1896, Page 7

THE MINISTER OF LANDS AT OXFORD.

On Thursday afternoon the Hon J. M'Keuzie, in. company with the members of the Waimakarivi-Ashley Water Supply Board, Messrs D. Buddo and R. Meredith, M.H.R.'s, and Mr J. Dobsqn, made an inspection of the Cooper's Creek water supply works from the intake, about five mile 3 above West Oxford, to the township. A full descriplion of the head works and races having already appeared in these columns, it is sufficient to say that the head works, consisting of a substantial concrete dam, tunnel and gates have been constructed in an excellent manner by Mr J. T. Thomas, of Amberley. Another meritorious piece of work by the same con-r tractor is the timber flume seven and a half chains long across Gammon's Creek v Theraces, particularly the boulder- pitched portions, are also well finished throughout. On returning to Oxford the party went the Board's office, vrhjere various matters Meeting' fee Board were placed before the '.. : nister. Sir J. O'Halloran (chairman) asked to L.-.ye Water Supply Boards scheduled in : '--o Local Bodies Loan Act, sd as to give 'hfjm the privilege of raising, if necessary, 10 per cent above the amount of loan sanctioned by the ratepayers. Mr H'Xenzie pointed out that Water "7^pply Boards were not in existence when 'tivi Act was passed, hence the omission. Re f did not see anything in the way of Living the matter remedied. Mr O'Halloran asked that the Board might be provided with the power to make their own roll instead of being compelled to go to the Road Boards • for it as at present. At present the roll used by the Water-Supply Board was nearly a year old before they could procure it. Mr M'Kenzie thought the difficulty could be mt>t by compelling the Road Boards to supply copies of the roll immediately^ it was prepared, the Water Supply Board, of course, paying the cost. Among other matters brought.under the notice of the Minister was the necessity for a consolidating Act relating to Water Supply Boards. At present they had to 1 work under some eight or nine Acts. Mr M'Kenzie agreed with this view, and said th?.t on receipt of a copy of the amendments, &c, asked for by the Board, he would set the law draughtsman to work in preparing, a consolidated Bill to place before Parliament in the coming session. Mr O'Halloran drew attention to the fact that in the Selwyn County had been spent in water supply works, and out of the amount only .£34,000 had to be provided by the ratepayers, the remaining *833,Q00 having come from the public funds. He thought it was only reasonable in the face of \this that some monetary assistance should be granted to the Waimakariri-Ashley Water Supply Board, and that the ratepayers should not be" expected to bear the burden of the whole expenditure. Mr M'Kenzie was afraid there was no money now at disposal, as there was in the days when the grants were made to the Sehvyn County. The money they received came from the land fund, but as the people of the Ashley County did not see fit to take advantage of the Act they> lost their share. There were so many local bodies in the same position as the Water Supply Board, that if a grant were made demands would come in from all directions, to satisfy which a loan would be required. The House would not, he felt sure, pass an endowment, Ijat they -might give a subsidy. He could not make any promises further than to say that he would place the Board's position before the Cabinet, and do all he could in its interest. Mr Buddo asked that the Board should be granted the services of a Government engineer as consulting engineer. This was not to say that the Board's engineer required any assistance, or that his ability or work was doubted, but to give the ratepayers an independent assurance that the work was being well carried out. Mr M'Kenzie did 'not think there would be any difficulty in having this arranged. Mr Meredith pointed out that about 30,000 acres of Midland Railway land were likely to revert to the Crown, and when disposed of the local bodies might hopefully look forward to receiving a share of the proceeds. i Mr M'Kenzie said if the lands were dealt with by the Crown no doubt the thirds would bo available. At present it would be wise for the Water Supply Board to ask for a subsidy. . • Mr J. D. Dickenson, a member of the Board, stated that through defective legislation JS3OOO of preliminary expenses were wasted. Mr M'Kenzie said this was a good deal the fault of the Board. They went to work before they were ready. When he know their position, he did all he could to get the Acts into working order. They could not blame the Government. The Counties Act was not in force, and the Board endeavoured to assume its powers. Mr O'Halloran said the Board was very thankful to the Minister for his visit, and also for the presence and assistance of the membera for Ashley and Kaiapoi. Any help the Minister could give them would be thankfully received. Mr M'Kenzie said he fully understood all their difficulties, and he would place them bofoxe the Cabinet. The interview then ended.