Western Star AND WALLACE COUNTY GAZETTE PUBLISHED Tuesdays and Fridays FRIDAY NOVEMBER 12, 1909.

Western Star, 12 November 1909, Page 2

Western Star AND WALLACE COUNTY GAZETTE PUBLISHED Tuesdays and Fridays FRIDAY NOVEMBER 12, 1909.

iho proposed operations of the Survey Department in Southland for >l9oi> , -lo are s 0 t forth in the annual report. It is anticipated .that surveyors Falkjner and Macpfoerson will be occupied during the ensuing year in cutting up landless na'thea 1 ijlocus, this ,work hading proved move troublesome to the Department than it wa's expected to he. Mr Otway is to complete the road survey at Lake Hauroto, and will then in hand a block of bush laud for settlement in the vicinity of Otajiitiau. 'Mr Dintry is to Ms present work <qt laying olt mining districts land occupation and renewable lease applications near Orepuki, and will probably thereafter cut up a tlock of two thousand acres for settlement on tho west bank of the Waiaii River. These works, with pnliably some smaller surveys, it is e.vcected, will keep these surveyors enu«!i)>>)d ail Hi's year. As usual, mining surveys and surveys of sawmill areas will l.e made by private survey yrs, a nd either works, such as scenic reserves and small "spotting" surveys, where urgently required, will be placed in their hands. Previous to his departure from Southland, Mr Wilmot, npw Chief Commissioner at Dunodin, reported that he would like to see the local stan' of surveyors increased by; cpeor tw o used to bush work, so that the persistent demand for the expeditious cutting up of more bush land could he acceded to. This is a matter for the enrivst consideration of the Head of the Lands Department. There is no reason why more assistance should not be given it'it is required, and that it is re.Juired is: beyond all question.

liy a notice appewriiMj in the Gtoetle, the Minister for Public Wlplrka gives lull particulars regarding the issue <>f licenses to u« : . water for water (lower piirpos,-s u;der the I'nblic Works Amendment Act, 190 S; section 5. cry applicant in forwarding his application, has to Liivc cvid nc:' as to his I tnii fides, forward plons and specinca lions, detailed and crenernl, full description of the electrical system to ttt

adopted, a statement of the quantity of water to be taken, and another showing th'3 maximum charges proposed to be made for power or electrioal energy developed. The Minister may require till or any of the information on oath, a>ad if he thinks fit, may refer the application first to lie Wardon and then to the Commissioner of drown Lands far their consideration. and report. Licenses shall .be issued subject to a limitation of time wit'hm which the powers conferred by the licinse shall be exercised arid a limita-

tion as to the time within which the complete plant, as 'specified, shall be installed. Power of inspection is impesjd so as to -en-jure tho conditions of the license 'being- given effect to. The charge per horse-power per month is fixed at Gel, but wh re the waterpower is used solely for (generating electricity for mining' purposes, the ri.nt chur/je shall be reduced by onc-

alf. Before the issue of a license the icensoe shall deposit •with the Public rmstf.e the sum. of £2 ios for every Sovernmcnt head of water axithiorisod

to be used, but not exceeding a maximum deposit of £SOO.

The Premier delivered the Financial Statement on Wednesday, During ine year the public do"i>t had been increased by lour and a-half million. Half of this suna, however, could foto regarded as interest bearing. The purchase of the Manawatu Railway had necessitated a loan of one million pounds. Reference was made to "the opening up of the State Coal mines, which in a few years' time will practically be free of cost. •Tibs revenue of the Post and Telegraph Departmont' again show's a material increase, having reached the sum of X ( .) 10,990. The rovniiU;; from land also shows a inarked increase being £3 7,581 more than la»t year. During the year live estate were acquired for closer seHleinent, while about twenty-eight thousand settlers a nd workers have received ad vanccs from. <the Government. Amon(gsJ ttfcie new proposals to be submittedj iwdll bean amendment; in the Licensing Act the establishment of a Public Service Police and Railway Superannuation funds, new Land Proposals, Naval defence, old age pensions, Racing Leg islaltion, and defence matters. The proposed expenditure for the ensuing year is set down at nine millions. Of this sum five and a-half millions! is set down for departmental votes, or £45,275 less than last year, this, amount being saved by vha retrenchment recently eueo'tod in rhe various departments. Ti]>-> estimated revenue i*» sot dawn to produce nine millions, of which over two and a-half millions, is expected by customs revenue. The rail Way is expected to return close on a million. Land revenue three hundred thousand and smaller sums from regis tration and other sources.