WESTLAND DSTRICT MATTERS.

Hokitika Guardian, 23 April 1919, Page 1

WESTLAND DSTRICT MATTERS.

REPLIES TO THE MEMBER FOR WESTLAND.

Mr T. E. Y. Seddon M.P. is in receipt of the following replies from Hon Ministers in respect to various matters on which he has made I’epresentations: - LAND FOR SOLDIERS. Hon D. H. Guthrie, Minister of Lands, writes : —“Adverting to your wire re land for Soldiers Settlement, l have now before me a report by the Commissioner ot Crown Lands on the several blocks offered In all instances the .price asked is much above what is considered fair and reasonable, therefore I regret no action can be taken. The leasehold land cannot be purchased as the Board has no power to do so. Further enquiries are being made.” ROSS RAILWAY CHANGES. Hon \V. 11. Herries, Minister of Railways, writes “ With reference to your letter of 12th March, in regood to the terminal charge levied on goods consigned to Ross station, I have the honor to inform you that the cartage ariangement hitherto in force at Ross is being discontinued ou 31st inst, and after that date the charge will not apply.” HOKITIKA POLICE QUARTERS. < Hon -T. M. Wilford, Minister of Justice, writes :—“ With reference to your representations to me as to tl)e possibility of expending the Votes on the Estimates for a Sergeant’s residence and a Police Station at Hokitika, 1 beg to inform you that I have looked into this matter and have given instructions for the preparation of suitable plans and specifications for the proposed new buildings with the intention of calling for tenders to have the work carried out when the cost of building material becomes normal.” PUBLIC WORKS IN WESTLAND. Hon Sir William Fraser, Minister of Public Works, writes :—“ I am in receipt of your letter of the 12th inst, bringing under my notice for consideration certain public works in the Westland district, and have to state that I am obtaining a l’eport on the matters mentioned therein.” TERE2IAKAU RIVER EROSION. Hon D. H. Guthrie, Minister of Lands, writes:—“ln further reply to your letter of the 27th February, regarding the encroachment of the Teremakan River, I have to inform you that the matter lias beenthoroughly examined and reported upon, and it appears that erosion has already taken place, and further erosion is threatened. Some small protective works to prevent overflow are being undermined by the stream, and it appears evident that an}' protection to be effective -would be fairly expensive and the ultimate result would even then he uncertain. Practically all the threatened land is freehold, the one exception being a lease in perpetuity of 100 acres, which is not just now in any great danger. This being the case the interests of the Department are not affected to any extent, and I do not see my way to take any action in the matter. “As, however, the Public Works Department is cognisant of the circumstances of the case, and has obtained a report on the matter from its own Engineer, no doubt ypur representations will receive consideration by the Hoti Miuister of Public Works.”