MINISTERIAL VISIT

Hokitika Guardian, 29 March 1927, Page 1

MINISTERIAL VISIT

HON. 0. J. ANDERSON IN HOKTJT KA. The Hon. J. G. Anderson, Minister of Mines, visited Hokitika yesterday afternoon and received deputations at the County Chambers at 3 p.m. The County Chairman (Mr AY. de (fries) presided, and there were also present his Worship the Mayor (Mr G. A. Perry) and Messrs AN . J. Butler (Chairman). E. A. AYells. T. R. Ches-tei-iiian, B. AYard, T. AY. Bruce and J. A. Murdoch (members) of the AYestland Rower Board. Apologies were made for Messrs AA'hii'oy and Morel and Mr Scddon M. P. (detained at Kumara). Mr AY. Ivimbell (Under-Secretary of Mines) and -Air F. M- Sherwood (private secretary) accompanied the .Minister.

Mr Jeffries extended a hearty welcome to the Minister to'Hokitika, and stated in addition to the Power Board matters to which other members would ruler, he wished to ask the good offices of the Minister in connection with Hood damage. He knew it was not. in the hands of the Minister, being a matter for the Minister of Public Works, hut he would ask him to refer the question of serious erosion of the liitcr-AYanganui river, also of the Wnitangi, in connection with the loan block, where very considerable damage had been done by the recent floods. In connection with the sale ol the Tore ilia knu water race he felt that tho Alinister and Department had made a very hard bargain with the Rower Board.

Air G. A. Perry (Mayor) joined in extending a welcome to the Alinister to Hokitika, hoping his stay would he a. pleasant one m spite of the weather conditions.

AH- AV. J. Butler, on behalf of the Power Board, expressed dee]) appreciation of the assistance given by the Hon. Alinister in eonne'etion with the negotiations, resulting in the purchase of the Kumara writer race.

AJr J. A. Murdoch joined with tho first speaker in his statement that the Government had made a very hard bargain with regard to tlie price charged for the Kumara water race. They were keeping to the letter to the. bargain made with the Alinister. Fivehundred horse power would be set aside for Greymouth Board ii available. The Power Board had done its utmost to safeguard the interests ol the ratepayers and the purchase was being effected without making the ratepayers of the district responsible. This was a factor for which they had to specially thank the Hon. Air Anderson whose good offices were responsible for it being made possible. He was glad to he able to state that £IOOO had been paid on account and the Power Board had no overdraft. He looked forward to the supply in the early future of the electric current being available to all parts of the AYestland Rower district. He assured the Alinister that in anv negotiations that may occur in regard to the water race the public interests would he fully safeguarded. There had been nothing but favourable comment on the action ot the Board. Air T. AY. Bruce said he considered the Mines Department have made a good bargain at £7.590. He instanced •i number of other water races in the district tlie value of which was practically nil.

ii- .Murdoch asked the Minister if lie would have supplied to the Power Board, if they were not ol a confidential nature, the reports ot Alex. Aitken Esq., (former manager) and James Rochford, Esq. (present manager) of Kumara water races on the proposals for eleetrilying the Kumara water race. Those would he oT very much interest and value to the Power Board.

Hon. .T. G. Anderson, in reply, thanked them for their very kind welcome to Hokitika. He was very fond of Hokitika and liked to come down in,s way. In reference to the Kuinara water race lie said they had all told him that he had driven a very hard bargain, but he thought lie drove a very generous bargain. Me had kept the races going at lvumara lor several years solely out ol sentiment. Ihe water was an excellent asset. When lie had gone to the lvumara .Jubilee he had promised to give .consideration to the request for disposal of the water races to a "focal body and now lie had sold the right to the Power Board of the district. As long as the powers are dedicated to a public body the public interests will be looked after. It was for the Board to look after the interests of the district. The use of electric power was ol great advantage to any district and lie l instanced the value it had proved to Southland, taking to the country districts some of the amenities of the town. In reference to the reports asked for by Mr Murdoch he would confer with Mr Kiinbelf. lie saw no reason at present why these reports asked for should not he handed over. In reference to the references by Mr Jeffries in regard to the river encroachments he would refer that question to the lion. Mr Williams, asking him to give the matter urgent attention asked for. Mr W. J. Putter said he would like to point out that the Westland Power Board were not parting with any of the rights in connection with the lvumara water race.

Mr Jeffries returned thanks to the Minister for his attention to their requests and favourable consideration given and again expressed their pleasure in having Mr Anderson present.