KUMARA WATER RACE

Hokitika Guardian, 4 March 1922, Page 1

KUMARA WATER RACE

DEPUTATION AT KUMAR Afl

At thfe. deputation at Kumara Town Hall yesterday afternoon to the Minister of Mines in respect to the future of the Government water-race, Mr Benyon, Mayor of Kumara, who presided, weloomied the Hon Anderson, and ex-j pressed pleasure at seeing members ofj the local bodies from Greymouth and' Hokitika present. The water supply was of the greatest importance to the' district. He would like the Minister of * Mines to give some assurance as to the I supply of water for the miners and also for fire prevention purposes in the town. If the water were cut off it would he a serious matter for the district. Mr Seddon, M.P., in introducing the deputation extended a welcome to Hon Anderson, and said the large and representative attendance present was an evidence of the interest taken in the matter. The Greymouth Borough, the Grey County, and the Westland County Councils were represented. The recent increase in the changes for the water was a burden, and now came the

threat to close clown. They were aware the action was the result of the saving and retrenchment ]>oliey, and it was very good of Mr Anderson to come down and talk over the position. The proposal of the Grey District Power Board offered a solution of the matter if tlie Board subject to flic rights of xhe miners, took over the property. The previous evening the Minister had promised to hold over the matter till the Power Board was created, conditionally on the Board paying half the ascertained loss on the race till its future was determined. According to. Mr Birk’-s report the race was capable of producing 1500 electric horse powwr, and that could be doubled by additions to the race. Wibbn Mr Coates visited the district in a few days it was the intention to ask that Minister who controlled the power distribution, to permit his experts to report on the project and give the Grevmonth people a lead ns to future action. Mr Seddon hoped the water supply for the old town of Kumara would he safeguarded. He asked that the charge to the miners should he fair. Tl»e Hon ,1. AmWsoii. alter thanking the meeting for his cordial reception said the reason for the departmental action in the waiter was financial. The position had changed of late, and the country could not idford luxuries. Hitherto the Government was not pressed for money and could be more indulgent, but it was a case now of keeping the expenditure within the revenue. The Mt Ida water race had been losing money also, and he met the miners at Christmas, when a workable scheme was devised. The Kumara race was showing a loss of £2OOO a year. Where possible the races would have to pay their way. The total loss on the water races was nearly £4,000. These races had cost £300,000, and in calculating the present loss nothing was taken into account for interest and sinking fund. Yet the races were of value, and Hie working expenses should he recouped. The adjustment at Mt Tdn was working satisfactorily under the miners, and last month showed a small profit which was funded for future upkeep. In 1021 the expenditure on the Kumara race was £2051 and the revenue £537. This was a loss of £2114. There were 17 miners engaged, so that the deficiency was equal to a subsidy of £l2-1 per head. The Government was not prepared to go on oil thode lilies. In IRS 9 the Kumara Borough Council had a grant of water for fire prevention purposes, hut nothing had been paid. Something might well he paid • hv the Council. Another property was receiving free water also, though the water was used for profitable manufacturing purposes. As to using the water for power purposes,Mr Dirks had made a favourable report. The present capacity was 1500 li.p., and the estimate to dievolope it was £3O per horse power. Mr Anderson referred to the recent increased charges for water wilicli was necessary as the works were not paying, and they could not go on giving something away for nothing. Mr B. Ward welcomed the Minister to Westland and expressed pleasure at Mr Anderson’s improved health. Dealing with the question before the Minister, Mr Ward said the matter was of first importance to the district. I lie position had been put plainly and they could not blame the Government for the action taken. In theycars past the race had been used to the profit of the whole Dominion by maintaining population in the district which produced considerable wealth. Unless the miners used the race it would become useless, and on behalf of the miners he bespoke consideration. Mr Ward said the Westland district was prepared to help their Greymoutl. friends to get the hydro-electric project

in motion. Mr J. D. Lynoh said ho was pleased to see them all in accord and anxious to do the best in the matter. They had alternative sources for hvdro-electi u. power, but if the K tun ora scheme were taken up the town of Kumara would sret any benefit to be derivled from it. The cost of the Kumarn sclicme was C 40,000 which was not prohibitive now money was becoming more plentiful. He could see that the Minister was prepared to help in every way, and he felt that as the Government was losing so much money the best thing would be to hand the rape over to the local bodies to operate. Mr Seddon apologised for the absence of Mr Hannan, Chairman of the Grey County Council, and invited Mi <T. A. Murdoch, ex-Mayor of Kumara, to speak. Mr Murdoch thanked the Minister for visiting the district. They would all agree with what had been said. Personally he was surprised that the Government was even considering the matter of parting with valuable water rights. The policy hitherto was to conserve the water supplies of the Do-

minion. ll© was aware that in the past the Kumara water race had paid for itself. Since the founding of the town in 1877 three millions of gold had been

won and theAe was still more to be

got, but the miners were not encouraged. They had rates and rents to pay, and fees had been increased. The Planers had bteen prohibited from extheir gold at a profit. The min■fs were called on to supply silly returns which were of no value. He urged the sweeping away of all these difficulties, and the miners would he attracted to the old pursuits. There was good ground to be worked, and in that connection he quoted what the Americans had done. Yet at the last session of Parliament some parts of dredging machinery had been subjected to 35 per cent of duty, thus impeding further expansion. Mr Murdoch asked

that Greymouth be given time to organise the Power Board ; that rents and

fees should be revised, and the miners encouraged to return to the goldfields. The race should not be parted with —it was a national asset. 1

Mr Anderson agreed with the latter remark and said the titles would ho preserved to the State.

Mr Doogau gave an outline of what was being done in constituting the Grey District Power Board. He asked for time to complete the preliminaries. Mr Anderson suggested the Greymouth Borough Council should admit the principle that a portion of the loss on the upkeep should he paid by the Powter Board as a quid pro quo for a deferred option. Mr Doogau thought this would be assented to.

Mr Anderson replying to Mr -Murdoch, said the fees complained of went to the local bodies and were expended for the public benefit. He noticed they had good roads. If the fees .were abolished the loss of revenue would have to be made up with more rates. As regards the customs duty mentioned, with all due deference to the Americans they had to maintain tliieir own local industries. Splendid dredges were made in New Zealand. If this country wanted to export dredges to the United States they could not get tlueni in at all. He would not be a party to making the Dominion a dumping ground. (Applause).

The Minister went on to say that this proposition was a bigger one than Mt Ida and would give more time for consideration. He suggested the miners associate and see what could be done to reduce costs, and bring the expenditure ; within the income. Tlfev could put up ; suggestions to out down the deficit. There was no intention of abandoning ,the race. If the miners did not want it, Greymouth would take it. The local revenue should he increased. He asked for a practical scheme. Mr Seddon thanked the Minister for the manner in which he had met them, and lie asked all to eo-operate on th,e lines suggested. Mr Anderson said he was doing everything he could to help them, but they must not rely entirely on thle Government. 1

Mr Murdoch moved a vote of thanks to Mr Seddon and the Mayor for presiding which was carried by acclamation.