HON. J. G. ANDERSON.

Hokitika Guardian, 27 March 1925, Page 1

HON. J. G. ANDERSON.

SOUTH WESTLAND DEPU-

TATIONS

A deputation of residents waited on the Hon G. J. Anderson at the Kakapotalii bridge on Wednesday aftcinoon to ask that a post office he opened at Air .J. X. Alanera’s residence. Mr J. Aliment said he would agree that the post office he located at his house, and offered to take charge of it. There were about thirty workers at the mill, and a large number of settlers who would be served. W hen the land was cleared and settled and the large areas cut up, there would be many more people. Along with the post office they wished for telephone connection. The sawmilling industry was a dangerous one, and with thirty men working in the bush close by, it was necessary to be in touch with a medical man. The Hon Air Anderson asked if the settlers were prepared to build a private line.

Several of those present thought that the cost of a private line to Harihari would be too heavy.

Air Chapman (of Stuart and Chapman Ltd.) said his firm were prepared to assit with the construction of the line.

Hon Air Anderson said he would bring the matter before his colleague, the Postmaster General, and let them know the outcome later.

Air A 1 anera then mentioned the wish of the whole of the southern settlers that the Railway Department rolling stock to l>e run on Stuait and Chapman’s private line between Ross and the Little AVaitalia. He said that 5,000 sheep had recently passed over the road which would have, been trucked at Little AVaitaha if trucks were allowed to come through. The reason the settlers had rated themselves to build the bridge was that their stock and goods could be carried on the line. ne Minister said be would confer with Hon J. G. Coates, and lay their representations before him. He did not, however, hold out much hope of their request being granted. AT HARIHAR.I. At ilarihari a strong deputation of settlers met the Minister and laid several matters before him. Mr O’Brien introduced the deputation. He referred to the matter of the cutting up of the cattle-resting reserve, for" building sections for which the deputation would ask. This was very necessary for the future of the district. The .nequest that the money voted for Peterson’s Road be spoilt where it was voted for, was also a fail one. The deputation would bring before the A 1 blister the suggested legislation for the purpose of compelling those farmers who had formed themselves into River Boards to pay for protection work done in the district many years ago. Mr .1 J Al' Kav said that the cattle restin'' area alluded to l.y -Mr O’Brien was one. of about 200 acres. Parts ol it were liillv and about 20 acres was .rood land. They asked that the 20 acres be cut up into building sections

of a. quarter acre each. Mr Anik-iNon, in \reply. said be would make favourable represent:!lions to the Minister of Lands, who would probably lie in the district shortly. Air Thiele asked that the vote for • IVtei'N"ii‘s Road, be spent as it was • intended in the first I’hwr. The set- I tiers had raised £1.500 to put Hie road through; and no"' it was proposposed to change the direction or the road and take it through Air AliI ninth’s property. They asked that U,,., road he continued to AH' A\ ells properly, where ti would serve AH' Mclntosh as well. In answer to Air Anderson, Air Thiele said that no fewer than thirty farmers at the factory had that morning agreed that the road should go mi as intended in the first place. The AUnister said he would bring the matter before the Hon J • f! - Coates, the Minister of Public. A\ orks. Alluding to the river: .protection work done eleven years ago. Air Hanson said some, of the land had changed j,anils since that time, and it was unfair to ask the present settlers to pav for work which they though would not he charged for. They lived between rivers, and they were constantly being asked to pay rates lor bridges, mads and river protection They were menaced on both sides, and did not know the time they would he •isked to fare enormous expendituie to protect 'themselves. They asked that the whole cost of the protection work done on the Big AYanganm (£1500) he written off. or tailing that, the amount be written down to £SOO. Mr Anderson said be would examine the “file” in connection with the matter, and lay the question before his colleagues. Tf matters were as stated by tHe deputation, be bad no doubt tliev would get assistance. Mr J. J. Ali'Kay asked that a grant he made to connect Haddock’s and Robertson’s roads, and that the native hush lie preserved on both sides of the present road reserve, which "as three chains wide. Air Thiele said that there were leased education endowments of about J 700 acres falling due in a short while. They asked that the sections he cut up into smaller lots, and that ~ longer lease be given of the land. The present tenure of 21 years without the right of renewal was too short, and did not encourage people to settle and build a borne. The land shou t be leased for GO years or lessees should be given the right of rene".il. at okarito. A large number of residents met the Ministerial Party on arrival at Okarito and welcomed the Hun Air and Airs Anderson to South Westland. Several peaple were prevented from attending owing to their preparations for the AY atari) a sale and the inclemency of the weather. The Hon AH' Anderson said that as the time was limited, be wished to dispense with formal speeches, but lie would go into the matter at once, which had brought him there-the Okarito harbour. A proposed plan of the harbour improvements was placed on the table and discussed, the residents contending that an expenditure of 000.000 to make the harbour was not" necessary. They preferred that the inside training wall he completed, and the proposed moles left out. They held that the rush of the lagoon tidal waters thus trained, would lie sufficient to keep a permanent straight course, wherein ships drawing 16 feet of water could enter the.port. After considerable discussion, and also viewinc the harbour, the Minister stated that if the work suggested could he done lor less than £IO.OOO and it the Public Works engineers were satisfied that the scheme were practical; and ' providing-that the settlers agreed to a ratine area, lie would ask Cabinet to ; grant” that sum. Air Anderson said that it would be understood that 1

the wharfage fees paid the interest and sinking fund on the money expended, no rate would be struck.

The residents assured the ATinistcr that a royalty or wharfage of Gd per 10011 on timber sent away from the port would pay the cost of of the improvements ten times over.