WAIRARAPA OILFIELDS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1758, 24 May 1913, Page 6

WAIRARAPA OILFIELDS.

DEVELOPMENT WORK. (By Telegraph.—Special Reporter.) Masterton, May 23. Ons of the deputations which waited on the lion. W. Eraser to-night made representations upon tho subject of the develojmic&t of the Wairarapa oilfields. Mr. A, 11. Vile urged that the Government should assist in the development of these fields by ordering a detailed geological survey of the district. The Minister said that Mt. Morgan (Government Geologist) had been engaged during the past year iu making a survey in tho West Coast of the South Island, and when the time came to send Mr. Morgan out again* lie would consider the advisability of sending him to make a survey of the district which had been referred to. He did not think that the Government should enter into such an industry as the development of oilfields. Somo applications for a report by Sir. Morgan had been sent in by people v.'lio were already seeking for oil. Such requests could not bo granted becausa tho Government could not allow the reports of its officers to be tacked into company prospsctuses, and used for flotation purposes. Ho could not definitely promise to send Mr. Morgan to the East Coast in the spring, but when his services wero available, the advisability of making a geological survey of that district would tsfc seriously considered.

traffic, believing as ho did that most of the urgent matters could bo dealt with under the present Act. Ho would bring before his colleagues all tho representations tho deputation had mado to him, with a recommendation that thoso requiring urgent attention should receive it this session.

What Is the Safety Speed? Mr, M'Lean went on to discuss further tho speed limit quostion. There were, ho said, boroughs in which the speed limit was reduced, so low that it was evident tho frainers of tho by-laws wero quite unaware of what was a proper speed limit. In somo cases tho speed hail been cut down to four miles an hour. It was impossible to drive a motor at four miles an hour without running very considerable risks, lieports of the London Police Commissioner recently were to tho effect that tho number of accidents in London had decreased during tho last ten years, notwithstanding tho increase in population and traffic, and the fact that powerdriven vehicles wcro replacing those drawn by horses. Ho had gone further, and said that>although he had held the opinion when motors were first introduced that a speed limit should bo fixed, he had entirely altered that opinion. Ho had said further that most of tho motor accidents wero caused by vehicles going at under 10 miles an hour. . An Average motor going at 15 miles an hour, was, Mr. M'Lean thought, moro completely under control than any horso vehicle, and could bo stopped moro quickly in case of danger. Thoy were, cr . e : fore, desirous that tho Government should not put it into the power of local bodies to fix absurdly low rates of speed. Mr. Bell: It is ono thing not to put it into their hands, but another think to take away from them a power they already have. Mr. M'Lean:' It is questionable whether thoy have tho power now. Mr. Bell said motorists could test tho validity of by-laws if they liked, but he did not yrish to declaro war on tho local bodios. Ho added, in conclusion, that he thought the association would havo an opportunity of considering this question in another form very shortly, when they saw tho legislation tho Government proposed.

THE CONFERENCE. Tho meeting of delegates from local associations aboTo referred to was hold ill tho Civil Sorvice Club rooms. Dr. Louisson and Mr. Morten represented tl).o Canterbury Association; Messrs. Orbell and Francis, South Canterbury; Messrs. Mitcholl, Richardson, and Vincent, Marlborough; Mr. R. S. Abraham, Manawatu; Messrs. M. Elgar and J. C. Bidwill, Wairarapa; Messrs. T. Young, C. M. Banks, and C. H. Izard, Wellington; Messrs. J. S. Handyside and P. S. M'Lean, Hawko's Bay, tho last-named also representing Invercargill. Tho union cordially supported tho proposals of tho defenco authorities to form a motor defence corps.

The following were elected office-bearers for the ensuing year President, Mr. P. S. M'Lean; vice-presidents, Mr. T. M. Wilford, M.P., Dr. Louisson; executive committee, the Prcsidont, together with Messrs. Wilford, Abraham, Bidwill, Morten, Francis, Handyside, and Izard; secretary and treasurer, Mr. W. BeauchampPlatts.

The date of tho annual meeting was fixed for Ji;ly 15, subject to alteration if found necessary.