HON. MINISTER OF MINES.

West Coast Times, 11 April 1912, Page 3

HON. MINISTER OF MINES.

DEPUTATION FROM COUNTY COUNCIL. FAVOURABLE RECEPTION OF REQUESTS. At the Westland County Council chambers last evening the members of the Council met the Hon. James Colvin (Minister of Mines) for the purpose of bringing before him tho urgency of a number of local requirements. Quito a formidable list was prepared for tho Minister’s consideration, and, in bringing them under his notice. Mr. T. Y. Seddon, M.P., expressed the opinion that the various matters would receive every attention at the Minister’s hands. He then welcomed tho Hon J. Colvin to the district. Tho following councillors were present:—Crs T. AV. Bruce (chairman), U. Ward, J. Murdoch, T. J. McGuigan, Ferguson, Grimmond and Clifton. The Hon. James Colvin was accompanied by Mr J. H. Blow (Undor-Soc-retary for Public Works). _Tho chairman also extended a welejJmo to tho Minister. In the course of his remarks he said they wore very pleased that they again had a West Coaster in tho position as Minister of Minos. As a West Coaster, tho Hon. Colvin would know tho wants of his

district and ho would not be long in making himself acquainted with what was necessary in the Westland district. Ho wished the Minister a long and useful career in the Cabinet. After concluding a general welcome to the Minister, the chairman referred to tho urgency of having tho Keystone borer brought into the district, and said that the machine had been availed of by seven different parties while it was in tho neighbourhood of Kanieri and Woodstock, and it was the wish of , the community that the borer should he returned here as soon as possible. There was much available alluvial . ground, which, it was felt, should be ] thoroughly tested. Referring to aid for deep alluvial prospecting, the chair- , man said they wanted scientific meth- ; ods to prospect tho deep levels. A ( number of miners were present who would furnish full information to the ; Minister in regard to tho practical side j of the question. Ho referred briefly , to the other matters for consideration. f In regard to the return of the Keystone drill to the district, Cr Clifton j sSid the cost of running the drill was too heavy for local contributory bodies, ] and it was desirable that the* Govern- t ment should give some financiol assist- c anco. He hoped the Minister would j grant further aid to prospecting generally. ,

_Cr McGnigan said that the people of Kanieri and Rimu would like the Minister to favourably consider the question of giving a subsidy. There were largo tracts of auriferous country which could be worked to tho general good of the district, and the whole dominion.

Cr Murdoch said that his district had profited hy the fact that tho drill had been at work there. He endorsed the remarks of the previous speakers. The chairman said there was a large tract of land between Rimu and Ross, and in this connection he desired to introduce a deputation from the Rimu district. Ho pointed out that according to present arrangements, the cost of removing the machine from one point to another had to be borne hy the party receiving it. He asked that this charge should be abolished. Mr Upjohn said some 16 miles of Wfmntry between Rimu and Ross had not heon\'pros()ected. This included an area of 7 miles hy 3, within which only a few shafts had been bottomed. A prosjK'cting Association had 1 eon formed for the purpose of thoroughly testing the area. Tho Association would like the Minister to have the ground reserved. Tho Warden had recommended this course, but ho had not the power to grant the request. Cr Clifton pointed out that tho Association wished that tho area should be reserved while the prospecting operations were proceeding in order to give everybody an equal chance of pegging off auriferous ground, if it should he proved to be so.

Cr Murdoch said since ISB2 no deep prospecting had been undertaken in the district mentioned. He strongly recommended the Minister to favourably consider the application. There was ample room for deep lead prospecting. If a straightout grant was given to the Blackball district as he was led to believe that there was, the Rimu people should lie treated similarly. He had seen in the press that a vote of £250 had been granted towards the lost of prospecting in the Blackball Mr. Blow stated that no grant had been given for prospecting the Paparoa as stated by Mr. Murdoch.

Mr. Seddon spoke in support of the request. He had hoped that the Minister would have found time to visit the Rimu district. If the application were acceded to he hoped the Minister would also grant tho request to set aside a reservation. Ho felt that the district would benefit considerably if a thorough test were made as to the deposits If it were possible lie would like a straightout grant to be made. Mr. Pollock said that between Rimu and Greymouth there was no break in the country as was the case with the Ross-Rimu district. It meant that seven miles of country wore available. He felt that if the request were complied with systematic prospecting would result in an extensive goldfield being worked. Hon. Mr. Colvin thanked the deputation for their kind welcome. He "as agreeably surprised at tho small list of requirements. (Laughter). In regard to the Keystone drill he said the machine ought to bo in the district. He promised to recommend to the Cabinet to obtain another drill and send it to the Westland district. Ho went up to the Rimu rush 46 years ago. He agreed that it was a good tiling, and in tho interests of tho Government it should be favourably considered. He referred to tho hard task ho had undertaken in following tho Hon. R. McKenzie, as Minister of Mines. Perhaps the former Minister was sometimes a little too short, but ho aspired the deputation that his iMr. Mclvonzie’st heart was with the people of the Coast. (Hoar, hear). If tho drill row at; the State mine, was not sent to the Coast in the near future ho would recommend the Cabinet to procure another one from Home for the West Coast. The Minister promised to look into the_ matter of a request for a refund cf £of 12s 2d paid by the Council by way of freight on the Key-tone drill.' lii regard to the matter of setting aside an area between Rimu and Rpsl as a reserve he promised to lock iniu the matter with tho Under-Secretary, Blow, and, if necessary, procure the opinion of the Crown Law officers. If it were possible to meet their request- every consideration would ingiven tho matter. Cr. Duff spoke in regard to an additional water supply for Stafford. He said there were two miners of the district present and they would furnish any information desired. It was a fair proposition as the miners were prepared to pay for the use of the water which could be utilised in developing ground which was known to be auriferous.

Or. Ward said that from per dual experience he could state that there was n.» mure worthy pioneer of the Dominion than the gold miner. Ho hoped the hon. gentleman would long remain in charge of the Mines Department,

i providing lie was .sympathetic towards , ar. industry which had played so important a part in the progress and prosperity of tiic Dominion. He heartily supported the request. -Mr. H. Linklater said ho was chairman of a miners’ committee formed for tiio purpose of urging the Mines Department to increase tho supply of j water for tho Stafford district. -Ho I pointed out that for the past 3 V years | his party had paid tho Department | some hundreds of pounds, for the use of water. If those times tho volume was furnished the miners would buv it.

He suggested that a report should be obtained as to the feasibility of procuring a supply from, say, tiio Waihinibini or some other stream adjacent. Mr. Morgan endorsed tho remarks of Mr. Linklater. Mr. Seddon supported the request of the deputation. Tiio matter was cue that vitally concerned the district. The supply was urgently wanted, and lie hoped tho matter would be given every consideration. The Minister said he would request his officers to obtain a report on tho conditions of the race and lie would forward a reply which ho hoped would ho a favourable one.

Mr. Linklater pointed out that the Hon. R. McKenzie had not promised a further supply of water but the matter of repairing and widening the piosent race was to have boon undertaken.

In regard to a subsidy for Lincoln and Party tho Chairman pointed cut that this had been promised and although the necessary mortgages had been forwarded tho money had riot come to hand. The Minister promised to look into tho matter without delay.

Tho question of reviving periodical lectures in connection with the School of .Mines was brought under the notice of the Minister.

Hie Minister said ho would make inquiries for the purpose of ascertaining whether lectures could bo arranged for at regular intervals. He would favourably consider tho matter and ho would lot them know as soon as possible. The chairman mentioned that the matter of the collection of timber royalties could ho discussed with advantage at a conference.

Cr. Ferguson referred to tho necessity of extending postal facilities to Hari Hari. He said there was a large popnltion in the district and the request was a favourable one.

Cr. Grimmond supported the remarks of the previous speaker. The Hon. Minister said he would bring the matter under the notice of the Postmaster-General and would recommend it for favourable consideration.

The chairman referred to road and tracks grants for 1912-13. He mentioned that every penny of the total amount was necessary and the lion. Minister would have an opportunity later on of {ionising the list. In regard to the Ross Railways Works tire chairman said that the railway, if extended, would result in opening up the Government’s property. Tiie sum of £SOOO had been voted hut not even five pence had been expended. He was glad to learn that plans and specifications were being prepared for the proposed Miknnui river bridge. Ho mentioned incidentally, that for ere year alone one firm of sawmillors had railed 6,000,000 feet of timber from Ruatapu. Or. Grimmond emphasised the urgency of constructing the railway further south and stated that there was no possible doubt as to whether the line would pay. He referred to the advantages that would accrue in connection with the timber milling industry. Ci:. Ferguson supported the remarks o: the previous speaker and said that it was gratifying to know that plans nd .specifications were being prepared for the construction of the Mikonui bridge. Further south the Government had vast resources in regard to milling timber of which he was sure there was almost enough to pay the cost of the work. Cr. Ferguson spoke at some length on the possibility of the southern district.

The Minister promised to bring the various matters under the notice of the Minister of Public Works. The csti mutes for various works in regard tc grants for 1912 the Minister mentioned, only amounted to u small figure, some 925,000. (Laughter). The list would ho kept steadily in view. In regard to the collection of timber i ovalties tho Minister promi cd to bring the matter under tho notice- of the Minister of Lands. Cr. Clifton referred to the matter of a grant for the erection of a new hospital. He pointed out that for the first and second wing the Government had paid the subsidy on the total but when the third wing was asked for, which was in accordance with the plans and specifications drawn up by tho Public Works Department’s officers, they were blocked by a refusal of further money. Mr. Geo. Fowlds who was then Minister of Hospitals' had promised a deputation many years ago, before the plans were drawn, that the Government would provide their quota of the cost of tho complete building. Ho asked that when tho next estimates wore framed a sufficient sum of money should he placed thereon.- Mr. Fowlds did not give them fair play, and, although he know that the matter was not one far the Hon. Colvin’s department, ho asked him to give his assistance in the way of placing a grant upon tho estimates. ■ The Minister promised to bring the matter under tho notice of tho Minister of Hospitals Department. Cr. Duff brought under tho notice of tho Minister that a number of claimant; for compensation in regard to tho Waimoa sludge channel had rot yet received tho amounts involved.

Ihe Minister promised to look into tho matter.

Mr. Seddon thanked tho lion, gentleman for tho reception he had given the requests of tho deputation. He was glad to know that ho (Mr. Colvin) had promised to give the various matters his consideration and attention.

In the course of his reply to the c-x----pres-ions of welcome to tho district the Minister said he was of opinion that the Ministry was an able and thoroughly honest, straightforward one. He predicted that All’. Payne and other Labour members would vote with the present Government foV the next three years and that it there was an appeal to the country before then lie believed the present Government would go hack with a fair majority. He also expressed tho opinion that Sir Joseph Ward would yet be asked to again lead the Liberal Partv.

Mr. Colvin leaves to-morrow morning for Greymouth where he is to bo entertained in the evening.