DEPUTATIONS

Hokitika Guardian, 5 February 1929, Page 6

DEPUTATIONS

IN SOUTH WESTLAND. During the visit of Mon. W. Ycitcl (Minister of Mines) to South West land last week lie met a number o deputations who were introduced b; MV J. O'Brien, ALP. AT ROSS. At Ross mi Friday the Deputy Alay or (Mr H. Osmers) and others met tin Minister. A request was made tint regulations be issued under the pro visions contained in Section 32 of tin State Advances Act. of 1913, so as t< enable Ross town leases under tin Milling Act to be accepted as siifficieni security for moneys advanced. At amendment to the Mining Act wa: also necessary so as to give a bettoi tenure to the surveyed town blocks At present, an advance could he gol away from the town sections, but inn in the centre of the town. Application was also made for : grant of LUO (£ for £) for timber anc repairs to the Jones Crock storm chan, nel. which was originally const ructct for mining and it was not used foi drainage purposes. A grant of £23 (£ for £) was asked for, 1o put in order about li mile.' of lbe track leading to Mount Greenland. This was required principal!.! for prospectors, and would also serve tourists. Mr Murdoch. Secretary of the Ross Lime Coy. a.skid for assistance to the extent of £iU) for the construction of an improved road to the kilns. The .Minister proposed to obtain reports on the matters brought forward and then give them his best consideration. AT EVANS CREEK. At Evans Creek on Ffriday a deputation consisting of Messrs Woodham, Duuford and Barrett, interviewed the Hon. Mr Yeiteh, and stated that there was an area of some 1300 acres of freehold land in the district belonging to absentee owners. They pointed out that, it was suitable for closer settlement and considered it should he acquired for this purpose by the Government. It could he suitably cut. up without any roading being necessary. Similar representations were also made by the Farmers’ Union at Harilia ri. The Minister promised to bring the matter under the notice of the Hon. Minister of Lands. Complaint was also made by the settlers of' Evans Creek of the delay which invariably occurred in getting into telephonic communication with Hokitika. Sometimes they had to wait as long as two hours to got connected. The complaint stated .Mr Veitcli would he referred to the .PostmasterGeneral.

• AT HAITI HART. At ITarihari representatives of the banners’ Union said there was a largo edueation endowment in the locality, and the lease would he falling due very soon. They heard it was going to laleased again, hut as a result of representations to the late Minister of Lands, action had been held over. Mr sentation to the Minister of Lands. Fne dental treatment for school, children in the district was urged. •M> Witch said it was one of the. pi incples of the Liberal Government to give free dental treatment to all school children, hut the matter required a good deal of organising. More nurses had to he trained and the finance found for extending the svstcm. However, he would get in touch with the Minister for Health, and see it. it wore possible to give the service hack to Harihari in the near future. AT OKARITU. •V depul■ 1 on urged that a grant be nii,, l ‘ I' l ' Gf.rito harbour, and impro\ ' ment f the track over Three Mile bluff, a grant of £IOO being asked for Hr Veitch said he thought he would lie justified in recommending the grant. He would consult the Public Works Kninoer in the matter. He thought that any work done should he part ol a permanent road which would be needed when the dredge was working. Mr Johnston would get in touch with the County Engineer and have a survey made as soon as possible. As regards the improvement to the Harbour, Mr Donovan Imd made out a very fine case. He was impressed with the possibilities of the whole district. Two thousand leet ol timber was a very important consideration. He could assure them that the Okarito Harbour Scheme was not lost sight of. AT MATAINUL A deputation at Wat a roa asked for attention to lie flood damage to the | road on the south side of Wataroa river, the extension of the railway to South Westland, and for a subsidy on the carriage of fertilisers and for the opening of a money order and saving Bank branch at Matainui. Mr Ye itch replied stating that though his Department was not directly concerned with the matters the deputation brought forward, which principally related to other Ministers, be would make their representations known to the Ministers concerned. It was quite in order to bring these matters before him as other Ministers would have questions dealing with his Department before them. As far as river encroachment was concerned, the new deviation would be pushed ahead as rapidly as possible. He could not say what might be done

in regard to the proposed subsidy on lime, blit the Government had decided to create a new porttfolio-—a Ministry of Transport. Such a Minister would go thoroughly into motor traffic in all its phases, and review the whole posiffim of such transport. The request for a Post Office Savings Bank and a Money Order Office at Matainui would be submitted to the Postemaster General.