KUMARA WATER RACE

Hokitika Guardian, 29 March 1927, Page 1

KUMARA WATER RACE

GRICV POWER BOARD COMPLAINTS. Replying at Greymouth last evening to complaints of unfair treatment by members of the Grey Rower Board in connection with the sale ol the Kuulii'a water race, the Minister of Alines, the Hon. G. J. Anderson, spoke at length, concerning the negotiations which had taken place between the Boards and himself concerning the Kumara water race. The first meeting had been at the Kumara Jubilee, when they had met and stated what they were prepared to do. People had said it was a great mistake to let the race go into private hands, and lie had thought the matter over, and there had been another meeting of the two Boards, hut they still did not agree. Eventually the race had been offered for sale to either of the boards but the Grey Board had failed to take any notice of the offer. It had been pointed out at the meetings that Kumara was not- prepared to take over the Race, and they had eliminated the Borough and County authorities and left the matter in the hands of the Power Boards to decide. The Minister went on to relate how the tenders had been called, and the Westland Power Board had offered £5,000. He,

had refused the offer and put tho figure at £IO,OOO, but eventually they had compromised at £7,509. He had not received a tender from Grey. The sale had been effected, and tlie deposit was paid by tho Westland Power Board, and they got the license fr 'vn the Public Works Department. Tlie Alinister quoted from correspoii- ■ lienee regarding the matter, in support of his statement. He did not think they (the Grey Power Board) had anything t- growl about. There was nothing to hide, or that had not been made public. If the Westland Bdird bad delegated it (the race) then they must get Me Public Works Department to agree to it. He had done nothing underhand, and had not dealt with anyone else officially. He quoted the conditions of the sale and said the same- terms were sent to the Grcv Board.

In reply to Air O’Brien, the Alinister stated that the AYestland Power Board could not sell to a private company without the consent of the Alinister. In any ease, the power would have to he supplied :nt standard rates and conditions. He had been told in Hokitika, that they would get 5,000 k.w.

Tlie race, he said, had been sold to the highest bidder, but tlie Board had not made an application. He did not think anything Had been done outside the public interest. Mr Greeiislade expressed the opinion that the Alinister had been perfectly frank and fair. If they had been misled it was not his fault. He referred to tlie fact that as stated by the Alinister. that if the AYestland Power Board sold the race, they would have to come back to the Minister before they could get a. license. The Minister stated that the race was sold on that condition, and if they ceased to have anything to do with it. they would have to go to the Public- "Works Department. The terms had been drawn up "by the Crown Law Officers. He had to stick to that, but if they .sold it, they would have to come to him.

In reply to a question by the Minister as to whether the Grey Board had any agreement with the Westland Board, Mr. O’Brien said that he could not say if they had a written agreement; but it had been carried at the meeting, and reported in the press. In conclusion the Minister said lie must he guided by the legal aspect, and the terms of the agreement. Mr. Seddon, in the course of his remarks. said that lie was sure that if Mr. Greenslade would get into touch with the Westland Power Board, they would come to an agreement which would bo honourably observed. The Minister mentioned that Mr. J. A. Murdoch had that day stated at Hokitika that 500 k.w. would be set ns hie for their friends at Greymouth, hut if they required the power, the Grey Board* would have to wait, and that Westland Power Board had not parted with any rights whatever. Air. O’Brien said they (the Westland Power Board) had not stood to the spirit of the meeting, when they said that if they had it to spare, they would give Grey the h.p. He did not hlamc the Alinister. A vote of thanks was accorded the Afinister moved by Air. Seddon.