SOUTH WESTLAND

Hokitika Guardian, 25 September 1931, Page 5

SOUTH WESTLAND

In response to representations made by him, Mr J. O’Brien, M.P., has received the following letter from the Minister of Public Works:

1 ‘Dear Sir.—Further to my letter of 24th. August acknowledging the communication you had received from the Secretary of the Inter-Wanganui River Board, the application to have the debt of £7OO due to the Government written off has been considered; I find that the arguments now put forward by Mr Lucas, viz, that there was undue delay in rendering an account and that between tlie date of its receipt and the time the work was carried out various changes in ownership of properties had taken place, were advanced in 1926, when the Government, in consideration of those facts, agreed to reduce the debt from £ISOO to £750. Moreover,' the Departmental records show that the compromise at £750 was accepted by the settlers in 1926, and it therefore does not appear to be quite relevant to now use the old arguments in support ; of an applicateion to have the new debt of £7so—or as it now stands £7oo—totally written off. According to information that has reached the Treasury the majority of the original 1913 holders, or their family connections, are apparently still in occupation of the lands that were protected by the work carried out. then. It is pointed out also that the average debt due by the property owners is only about £lO each for all the money that was spent by the Government in saving their properties. Tinder the circumstances, I regret that, I cannot feel justified in recommending Cabinet to forego payment of the amount due hv the settlers, and shall he glad if you will advise them! on these lines.” Yours Faithfully. W. B. TAVERNER, Minister of Public Works.