HON. BITCHENER

Hokitika Guardian, 29 June 1933, Page 3

HON. BITCHENER

SEVERAL DEPUTATIONS RECEIVED. IMPORTANT COUNTY MATTERS. Deputations from the County to the Minister of Public Works last evening were introduced by Mr J. O’Brien an follow: Mr O’Brien' briefly Stressed tlie importance of the matters to be considered and introduced the deputation*. HUMPHREY’S GULLY RACE Mr J. A. Murdoch (chairman of the Westland County Milling Executive) urged the investigation of the scheme to extend Humphreys Gully waterrace to Blue 'Spur and Hau Hau by the Unemployment Board, as a means of rendering an extensive area of auriferous country available for mining by wonting parties of unemployed men. He said that it wap a. very happy idea for Minister of the Crown to Make themselves acquainted with the requirements of the 'different constituencies, whether appertaining to : their department or . not, as it enabled the'm to become conversant, and to cast an intelligent vote. The proposal before the Minister was not a mere application for the expenditure of funds. Mr Jessep, on his recent visit llad stressed the necessity for a scheme to absorb unemployed labour in the district; They had gone into many '-schemes, and 'this one was the most attractive. The water-race in question had fallen into disrepair, and they wanted it extended down to known auriferous terraces, for a distance of six miles. They did not propose coking for Che expenditure of a, large amount in the repairing of the head of the race. The Mt. Brown creek would give 40 heads night and day, and they proposed that tlie race below Mt. Brown lie placed in good 'working order. With a field of payable sluicing ground, and abundant water, at least eight claims could be put info operation when the race was finished, and tlie men would he actively engaged winning gold which to-day was valued at £6 an ounce, and he was confident that the men could earn from £3 to £4 a week. In addition there was tlie surrounding forest containing sO much of the desired timber necessary to carpenters, so that the project, if carrier out, would mean ‘finding work for millers, carpenters and ironmongers, as well as miners, thus alleviating the unemployed ranks, and reviving the hardy pioneer spirit among the men. The scheme would mean cheaper water in large quantities. He quoted the report of Mr Johnston, and letterp fi'trni two experienced minors tne former agreeing that a survey was warranted, and the latter agreeing that the scheme was worthy of every consideration. Mr Murdoch said that the scheme would adequately recompense al) concerned. The Kumar; race had paid'for itself over and ovei again, and so would the Humphrey’s Gully race. Personally he had never met with a, more attractive proposa' during hr, long association with mining, and .he thought the time was now ripe to urge that the work be undertaken. It would open up an important sluicing field, relieve * unemployment, and give work for years. “I ask you, Mr Bitchener, to give this- your earnest consideration and support. If this is forthcoming your visit to the Coast will not have been in vain. Mr N. Warren endorsed what had been rsaid, and added that fair returns had been won under the old con-, ditions, but the work had been liamuered through insufficient water. HV thought it was more likely that 2 f parties-could be engaged. This miglff turn out to be the second sluicing dis trict on, the Coast, next to Kumara The Minister said. he. listened with, a good deal of interest, although In did not profess to know much a bold mining. With the present high -pric<' for gold it was a different propo-i----tion to tho olden days. He though 1 it was move a matter for the Unem ployment Board or the Mines Department to go "into. It seemed a- very tempting proposal from Mr Murdoch’:

point of view. He assured the deputation that- he would be -very glad to accede to the request to- interview the Minister of Mines and the Unemployment Board, and see if lie could push the prospect ahead. The chief thing to do to-day was t-o create employment where possible. MILL-TOWN—ARAHURA ROAD. Or. T. R. Chesterman referred to the Milltown-Araliura Road. The 1931-32 vote was £2OO, and the Council had spent £lls in dedication. The road he said was much needed to give assistance to the settlers. It bad been dedicated and-laid off, but they could not get any further. He asked that the Engineer be requested to report on the matter. It was only a matter of two miles to put it down into Arahura. ; Or. M. Keenan said that the Council had been to great expense in exchanging blocks and in surveying the locality. The road would bo an asset to settlers, tourists, and tlie Forestiy Department. ' ' ’ ? '■- ; '

i Mr R. Harvey, a settler in the district, said that at present his difficulty was to get hi 3 wool and lambs out. The land war, river-bed country, and it was deteriorating. Unless it were top-droned and manured, tlie ground would be useless, and if the road were not put in soon, it would mean that ’lie would have, to go out. Mr Kitchener said that, as for as the Public Works Department annual vote was concerned, it was allocated to the various districts. He "had suggested to Mr Johnston that they be on tlie same basis as last year.' It depended on Mr Johnston as to what he Could apportion out ‘for the large number of roads in hie district. He promised that when the estimates were being framed he would bring the matter up. Meanwhile, tlie residents might confer with Mr Johnston so that he(the sneaker), might be more fully conversant when the estimates were under dir,mission. The great bulk of the money available would be best spent in giving access to settlers in the backlilocks.

OKARITO HARBOUR. The Minister was asked to urge the Marine Department to assist in finalising the proposals for tlie improvement of Okarito Harbour.

Mr D. J. Evans said that when the Harbour legislation was passed a syndicate took up the matter and placed a scheme before the Marine Department, but it was not satisfactory to the latter, as it had not been done by a registered surveyor. In the meantime, tlie river had been encroaching, ana much concern was felt regarding the cemetery. Neither Minister had offered much assistance in reply to appeals for measures to check the encroaclimefit-. The delay continued, and the river was still working north. Could Mr Bitehener do anything to expedite matters between the Department and the syndicate? If the bodies bad to be removed, what financial assistance would there bo forthcoming? ■ Mr Bitchener said that lie thought when the Bill had been put throuoh it would have been satisfactory. He had no idea renllv what Pm cost "’ould he. b”t s aid that, they mi "lit be ->lde to su U-c-idise protection ’"ork at- £1 for £l. If it would Tnfwvfc their wishes he would wire the Miniate" the next day to exTiodito the mn + +«r. ami then see what assistance could be given. Mr Evans: Tf it is found necessary to do any protection work in the meantime, before tlie plans were finalised, would the Department hive £1 for £1 ?

The Minister: I m>eht go this far. We w-'ll contribute that subsidy un to sav, £IOO. I eon Id not assure a- lanre amount. T will pise npnroach the Unemployment Board regarding the placing of men on the work.

LA FONTAINE ROAD. Mr Jeffries urged the extension ot La Fontaine road, Harihan, a distance of about 110 chains, and re-opening ol drains at a cost of about £IUUO, under similar conditions adopted for Waitaba South Bank road. He was aware oi course, that the matter depended upon tlie amount ,'uf money available for the district. The Minister said that he could not make any definite promise in the matter, but would give it his attention.

GILLESPIES BEACH TRACK. The widening of Gillespies Beach track to a- vehicle road to provide access for gold mining developments under camp conditions as at Waitangi, £IOOO on account. Mr Bitchener said a definite offer had been made by the Board to the company, hut he understood it had not been replied to. An amount of money

had been offered but it had not been accepted. The Department might find some way of assisting, but bo realised that the other matters were of mor<importance. The question revolved round the amount of money available, and it might mean that it the other matters were attended to, there would be insufficient money for this one. However he would give the matter Ins attention.

Mr Warren, of Auckland, who represented a Company in the locality, said they were likely to make fairly large developments in that area. He assured the Minister tint it would be money well spent, and that it would be repaid by the amount of traffic engaged, and would mean more employment in that district. , ; . FOX RIVER BR.IDGE, AND LINK WITH OTAGO. Mr Jeffries urged that steps he taken to authorise the expenditure ol Vote No. 53, Item 728. Public Works appropriations 1932/33, Fox River Bridge (on account) £2OOO. He also urged the prosecution of the extension of the Main South Road, with the intention of linking up the work done in Otago from Wanaka towards the Hnast Pass. -, .-

These works involved a considerable amount of expenditure-, but he did not expect much in the Way of any definite promise, tn-nkdit. If any relie Were available though, there was no .work which warranted so much‘.attention, as that of the Fox river bridge, as it would mean much for the settfors hi the south in the transport of their stock.

Tlie prospects of a considerable amount of traffic between'the provinces, and by overseas visitors, as well as further settlement were involved in tlie road extension proposal ; Mr-O’Brien endorsed trie deputation s request's.- y J. •] The Minister said that it was improved access, and was. quite in agreement with the proposal, if only the funds were available. There was a sum ol '£2009 ori the. estimates, and he promised that that sum would be retained, and if there was any way of augmenting that sum lie would do so. He, knew that there was going to be a push from Otago for money to ho spent on the extension of the road over the Haast. He thought that, with due deference to tourists, the P.W.D. s first consideration was the farmer, and he could not undertake any definite promise, but would go into the matter. ; Tlie chairman referring to the evening’s business said that the Minister, had not promised much, hut what iie had done, they could regard with satisfaction. Tt was a question of what matters merited the chief attention. On his motion a very hearty vote of thanks to the Minister was carried by acclamation.