HON G. J. ANDERSON.

Hokitika Guardian, 15 March 1923, Page 1

HON G. J. ANDERSON.

VISIT TO HOKITIKA. DEPUTATIONS TO .MINISTER. The Hon G. J. Antler,son (Minister of Mines) who arrived in Hokitika yesterday afternoon, mot deputations at the County Chambers last evening. There was a representative gathering present. Mr TV. Jeffries (County Chairman) presided, the Mayor of Hokitika (Mr G. A. Perry), and Mr. James O’Brien, member. for West 1 and j who introduced the various deputations also being included. The Minister’s party included. Mr Kimbell (Under Secretary of Mines'), Mr Bayne (Inspecting Engineer of Mines). Mr Downey i Inspector of Mines), and Mr J. D. Gillies (District Engineer). .Mr W. Jeffries (County Chairman) extended a cordial welcome to Mr Anderson to Westland. Since his last visit matters in Westland lmd shown great improvement, promising a bright er lime for the people of the district. Mr G. A. Perry (Mayor of Hokitika - ) endorsed the welcome to the town. Tie congratulated him on his appearance as lie was looking much better than when In- was here last.

Hon Mr Anderson thanked the speakers for their welcome. He was glad to know that Westland was progressing. Main- Westlanders did not know of the magnificent grazing land that there was in the southern portion of the province. They were getting a sealing vessel which when not used for sealing, could be used for carrying goods for the southern settlers. There was a considerable area of good land in the district, lie was one of those who believed there was much gold in the district. that could be won, in the hills and alluvial. During the past two years they bad had a trying time, but now they had passed the corner. The i'old won l:»<t year showed ix subsUmtini increase on the output of the* previouc year. The show to-dav was a nir-o Ijojii tinin.L' ol what was to conic in future. He thanked them sincerely for the welcome extended. 4’hc following matters were then brought belt ire the Minis'er: Bruce Bav Landing. -Mr Anderson stated that' the work was being gone on with, and was being pushed on as fa> l as possible. Mr Gillies staled the Despatch Foundry at (4 i evuiotii h were making the r , ,i,„, as as so.,n as the other material ivus made the whole would ho sent down, with a number of workmen and (hen the work would be completed.

Mr Ritchie tluinh-’d the Mnif tei lbr j !; i. :;!-■■ Ihe work in hand and reterrod -I, ;]:avdships ilte southern settlers v. er. experiencing.

!’ ■ ir-peetin ■ in West-bin'.:. - Mr Dull • rred i,o the proposal tor prospecting in West bind under Government inspect:,,,, and "o -My “2 ;o El- Mr W. -*! s siimi,n ted., hoping there would ! m, JoinHi trolling to work. lion Mr'Anderson said he had an ab!c

report from Mr Downey (Inspector of Mines) on the variot's localities. lie

be heller prospected by the Keystone drill, instead of shafts a- pivm'sed. 1 1" thought. May back would bo better . to uro-.peci with parties tinder a gculogica ofliccr and m !::!■- ttndcr way. a propel >.e .logical su Ivi \ wciili! lie c'is ra-il out Air .Morgan (Goverctm -at (.i-olcgmt) ;i| .ii favoured the- view. 11-c u;,;:-r Arahura district from Taipn to Yt'ilbcrlorcc was favored fui' operalii ns. He wanted to assist prnspoe; ing;. The advisability of sinking a -halt at Mannntii m as' discussed as t., preference for a -baft or Keystone drill. Io lie suece- i ll! flic pr->-mooting would have i i be continued till success was achieved. A lengthy pbi'-e a-

i „ v, !.,.| : e the iirccci'iii'e s!:<>Mld u - shal, -inking or keystone drill. I I’im.ii.l. a suggest ion was ...tde that the i‘n-. m -tiug ■' nniinittee should liml Cl f!; > towards sinking three Keystone drill b- ’-... and this was tentative!'- ap-

]., ... ed I-,., the Mini- ter, subject to cun--1,., wild Mi Wa rburt on. ilte otTicer in* ,4 urge ot the Keystone drill ::t Dobson. \ reouest !/v :he Connlv Chairman

I'm a grant lor r. upeui.ig a |." os|i ‘cl in : track In Gold Creek. Yaipn. was prompt ! v : canted. L'-TO being prnmi-ed, to lie expended under the supervision oi the County < .uineil. si liy Ml- Wells fur a grunt of CSD for road mam'ena nee ol Die Back Crock and An Imrstio. u road, used for heavy trallic by timber waggons carting timber, Iroin r.irestn lands, did not meet such a lavora-de view, the Minister ultimately promising to refer the matter on to the Minister uf Forestry.

Mr Jeffries addressed the Minister in reference to Ilte Council's request tor use ol Government rolling stock lor the carriage ut settlers goods am! sioim. Mr Jetfries reviewed the whole position at considerable length, with the request that the Minister would end givotir in lo ve the cast iron regulations ol |i . iway Depart uieut relaxed us much as possible. Hun Mr Anderson said the question in conditions for use ol the tramway would be more quickly settled by a conference with bis ofticers next day ami this was agreed upon. In releieme in l i-enrcseniations made iiv Mr Jeiiriel,e would place iln-m before Wo Mims ter of Railways lor bis invorable consideration.

The restrictions on the main smith roe. i heavy traffic affect ing the weight of loading and fees charg;-l. were brotmlit forward bv Mr Ritebii aiiii -i' Allan. Mr Ritchie urged t!iat consu,eration be given to the settlers vtewp, ini, as dealt with, by a letter lrmn the Intor-Wnngan.ui Dairy Coy. in the County Council, asking for their request to be acceded to.

Mr J. Allan i Fcrngvove Mivuull C ;■> said bis firm had run a U.rr.v for t • b,s| 12 molitiis und during that Dine had carted bumbo Is ot yards ot metal fur tiie road free oi charge. H g ,-arted about 5004 feat of limber a day. T}-,> rond now was better »har« »\!u n t! uv ■.vent til it. After (loin ■ that w-.rk

t 11- 4 * »'('P'lrtmont .~ n,n ‘r i ' i 1 i;V ,| • j,oiv load i» ■ '• et a Had whic-li U;h useless. Hi' ill ill " eve !'• odnie the railway system. the h r r<-1 • s T)e----11:irl:milt and the locft ' 'f" 1 >■' firtU had j.ni lin twelve tu 'ir is us vadv ..... ;’ c -c> elid'd. royalty C- 00. vent e-ii'i. rates £SO, to private • owners m’oll : with a further liability to the I'ei'csirv Henartmeiit o! '0 I" jxked the Minister to t:so in - intluene. With the .Minister of P-tUb- V-rk«. Th»v were a parry of returned M'linami if left alone will make tto.-d. !UO were prepared to find a n'-monaole rental and would ash that tl revise the ] roposed t: x and toe hnnt i-ion of loading- . , , . Hon Anderson pr-umseo to plane mentations made h. fore th, ilim« ter. He thought the request made »a a very fair and reasonable one.

-Mr TV. H. Sluiniion, on behalf ;7 tlr Hokitika School Mem: rial Committee, asked for favorable < onsideratimi for a reinissiuii o| duty on the memorial. M 4 Andersen stated lie was not favourable considering New Zealand granite should have been used. After it was pointed nut that Mrs Australian graiiii ■ .-gon I tlie weather better and that tie- Government/ had last session agrei d to nut duty for similar imtnbrials, th. Minister agreed to refer ;.4o matter t the Minister of Customs for favorable, attention. TLYUJER TVOHKKKS. A depiit.ii tip,n from the Timber 'norkers Union (.Messrs Turley ami Move) in connection wit.h scenic reserves oil tl.o main south road. Mr Tnriev ur.-.ed a edueDon of the area on the" sum; ■si to oi tile mad, making the area from two to four chains in width. In ;e----gard to the South Westland railway, h'-' -tresseil that be had no obi'" : ion R ti e private firm were to he a!lo-ed p ri :i, till <!e Government we: e read’ U take it over. If the private lim w- 'O to be allowed ft hold it. then it should lie stipulated that timber - boo'd a! : a he earned. If this wore not so. F n a grave injustice would be domt! ■ community and especially to tino' her hollers of timber areas. If this "•■re not dune then it would give Co present company the oppurtunilv o' s‘ arviiig out holders of other limber areas. •Mr Move (vice president) support M -Mr Turley’s remarks re scenic reserves, lie thought the State railway should run right into South W,-.,i laud. Thcv did not think anv milling firm should b" able to refuse tu carry timber ;'-)■■ any other firm, lie emphasised tieimportance of the mutter to the people io South Westland.

Mr Win Butler said Hie agreenmn entered into ttifli tlm County was be cause permission bad been granted l, lav file tramway line on the Bold Hem r ad. li was to carry the settler g 1 oils that permission was asked for > He .Mines Department. At present lli

! ■ .mpanv had no power to carry lim- ! her or goods lor any one at all. i Mr Turley said that Mr Jiutler had definitely stated that lie would not carry timber for other panic'. Mr Jeffries said he could say that ■ Mr Holler had been absolutely fair and just to the people el Westlnn i in all his dealings. Hon Mr Anderson in reference to s. '..c .‘serves said he persona.! !y would i:at agree U> < .mailing C . rese; ves to t o chains. He considered they were one of the greatest assets of t 1 ;■ p, - pie. Ho regretted more arcus inu! not bcon loi’t. *ro was- oi>:>:).se(i . o <locr: ;s----ing them. i:i regard to the tramway rights his departmental officers were to meet M.c.ssr- aart an 1 Chapman on the matter. He was re , o s»>d to in*. • fering with List* rigiiis granted pro-, viiindy. T'i.o interests of ti e <ctnnn ni: •• •••oulij he conserved. The mat ?r lie decision will i • d* ' • ' a e known. MiXlV'i ?•!.’ h Air H. A. Uavieke ad iies-ed tlm Vir.ister at some ieng! , a in ait every rare he taken to ecu mn : h« intern Is of the minin ; ir.de ory :r.st nroni's h\ l!:o Hare-try 1 'epariment. ‘•.ai:..|;:g .1 , lad.ug ..-.or of an acre on IT • s load for a i aiduvstatiun area, ti gh tl 'elad.ii ig against any opposit. n To the necessity for afforcstatio '. lion Mr Anderson slated that the interests of the miners were being p operly safeguarded i”" 1 m preeiuting tne st a I inien I s made by the sneaker. .Mr.). O'Hrien, A?, id. ■■■turned that ks oil h • -.lf Oi l':c *'■■;: 'ns for the V c v rt ’oils heari'w o’—n that evening to their reproseuieti-uis. y vote of thanks tu the Chairman for presiding concluded the meeting.