PARLIAMENTARY

Kumara Times, Issue 2546, 31 October 1884, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY

THE LAND BILL. KUMARA MINING MATTERS. The parliamentary correspondent of the West Coast Times, telegraphed on Wednesday night proceedings in Parliament affecting this district in which Mr Seddon, the member for Kuoiara, had taken a very active part. We reprint it in full:— Wellington, October 29. The remainder of last evening's sitting was spent in discussion in committee on the Laud Bill. Mr Seddon succeeded in carrying the following additional clauses :—9. Any person or persons making bona fide application to the Waste Lands Board of any district to have one or more surveyed sections of rural Isnds thrown open for leasing under section 2 of "The Land Act, 1877, Amendment Act, 1882," such lands shall be withdrawn from sale under the provisions of section 48, of " The Land Act, 1877," until the pleasure of the Governor in respect to the land applied for is made known. Mr Seddon moved another additional clause, as follows:—The occupant of any improved land held under business license or residence area certificate, and not exceeding one acre in extent, shall have the right to purchase the freehold of such laud at au upset price, to be fixed by the Waste Lands Board, and not being less than that fixed for suburban land in the same district, and notwithstanding such lands shall not have been withdrawn from the goldfields, provided that in each case the Warden of the district shall have signified to the Waste Lands Board that there was no objection to land being sold. This was lost, the Premier contended that it would be a fair amendment to the Mines Act, bat was out of place in a [ Land Act. The bill was subsequently reported, and the third reading fixed for Thursday next. At this day's sitting Mr Seddon asked the Minister of Mines whether it is true that the manager of the Kumara main tail-race and water-races wrote a letter dated the 26th October, 1883, addressed to the Hon. Minister of Mines, in which letter the manager stated that all parties connected with the Government main tail-race, over and above twenty-four, were told at the time they made their application that if they constructed any more tail-races to the channel they would do so at their own risk, no guarantee being given them that they would be allowed the use of the channel; will the Miuister direct the Warden to hold au inquiry into the matter, should any of the aggrieved parties in writing request such inquiry. The Hon. Mr Baliance replied in the affirmative to the first part of the question. As to holding further inquiry ho thought that ilit i quiiy held by

Dr. Giles and Mr Gordon covered the whole subject. Mr Seddon said the Minister was in error. The late inquiry only slightly . touched on this phase of -the question. The question of prior rights was gone into fully, but the position of the backnumber men was only slightly touched. Many of these men denied that they were ever warned as stated in the manager's letter, and in fairness to them, if they desired it, further inquiry was necessary. Mr Seddon asked the Minister of Mines .if he will give effect to the recommendation of the Goldfields Committee on the petition of George Mansfield, John "White and others, in which petitioners pray for relief in connection with the non-renewal of permits, and regulations made in connection with the Kumara main tail-race. Mr Ballance replied that Government would not renew permits. Relief would be granted by additional .tailrace accommodation being provided. The presnt regulations would he repealed and new ones framed, with the objectionable clauses eliminated. Mr Seddon asked the Minister of Mines if he will give effect to the recommendation of the Goldfields Committee on the petition of the Borough Council of Kumara, in which petitioners pray for a reduction of the price of water charged to miners taking water from the Kumara water-raoe. Mr Ballance replied that owing to the heavy expenditure in connection with the Kumara works, and the additional expenditure necessary, Government could not at present see their way to make any reduction in the price of water, but Government would grant concessions of free water to poor claims. The Mines Department had in previous correspondence left it in the discretion of the manager to grant free water where he was satisfied the ground was poor. Seeing there was some misapprehension on this head further instructions would be sent to the manager. It was the intention of the Government to give every encouragement to the gold-mining industry, and in case of those who were unlucky, relief would be given. A general reduction would not at present be given. Mr Seddon asked the Minister of Mines if he will gi ve effect to the recommendation the Goldfields Committee on the petition of William Morris and others in which petitioners seek to Lave the price of water reduced, which is purchased by them from the Government. Mr Ballance replied that the answer to the former question would apply to this one. He had no doubt the manager would act liberally in deserving cases, and any application for free water where the ground was poor would be dealt with liberally. 'Mr Seddon asked the Minister of Mines if he will give effect to the recommendation of the Goldfields Committee on the petition of Ambrose Crebar and others in which petitioners pray for the abolitiou of the gold duty. Mr Ballance replied that Government would next session bring in a bill to give effect to the prayer of the petition. Mr Seddon asked the Commissioner of Telegrapha if he will take the necessary steps to have telephonic communication established between Kumara and Goldsborough. Sir J. Vogel replied that at present Government could not see its way to meet the expenditure. Further inquiry would be made into the matter. The House went into Committee on the Codlin Moth Bill, which passed through all its stages. \ The Council, this afternoon, by a majority of eleven, threw out Mr Steward's School Committees Election Bill. They also threw out the Municipal Corporations Act Amendment Bill. The Westland Education District Subdivision Bill is to be committed at half-past seven. Messrs Guinness and Menteath are whipping up against ifc, and rather tough work is expected. October 30. In the House this day, Mr Seddon asked the Minister of Mines whether it is true that Mr Warden Giles wrote to the Minister of Mines a letter dated 11th August, 1884, in which proposals were submitted for a settlement of the Kumara main tail-race dispute, and, if the answer be in the affirmative, has the receipt of such letter been acknowledged or acted upon, and if not, why not. iVEr Seddon said he took this opportunity of saying that after carefully going through the correspondence on this almost nauseous subject, he desired to do justice to Dr. Giles, who under most trying circumstances had acted impartially towards all concerned. Last session he, Mr Seddon had spoken strongly on the subject, and in his remarks had reflected somewhat on the descision given in regard to the objections to the new regulations. The

letter referred to in the question explained the position in which the Warden was placed. Ml- Ballance replied that the letter in question had been received. The department had not answered owing to the many changes that had taken place, or perhaps it was not of that class of correspondence that an answer was necessary. He would look into the matter.