VISIT OF THE MINISTER OF MINES.

Kumara Times, Issue 2956, 21 April 1886, Page 2

VISIT OF THE MINISTER OF MINES.

THE MEETING ON SATURDAY. Notwithstanding the length of onr report on Monday of the meeting on Saturday evening at the Town Hall with the Minister of Mines, we unintentionally omitted a very important feature of the meeting. Mr Seddon continued in remarks abont the offer of the Government to hand over the water-races and sludgechannel to the County Council by stating that the miners were well satisfied with the present management. There was another aspect of the case. The Government bad a right to construct water-races in the colony. In 1870 and again in 1876, Sir Julius Vogel stated that water-races would be managed the same ns the Government roads. He believed in the local management of railways; but the Ministry would not have his support if they refused to carry on the water-races. Mr Larnach might say, in deference to the Premier, that it was his own suggestion to hand over the water-races to the counties. He thought the local bodies would be better able to keep them in order, that is, if they used the money for no other purpose. Mr W. Morris said he had a resolution to propose, which he had written out hurriedly since he entered the hall. It was as follows;—“ That in the opinion of this meeting it is desirable and to the best interest of this district that the Government k' j ep the management of the water-races and slndgechannel under their control; but should they decide to get rid of the property ■'t any [trice, then that a Board of Trustees be formed, composed of local men together with some nominated by Government.” He thought if the County Council got hold of the management, it would not be so well carried on as at present by the Government. No doubt the three representatives of the Arahura riding would do justice, but he was dubious about members for the other ridings. If the Government would bind the County Council to make the water-race and sludge-channel a separate account, he was not sure whether it would not he advisable to do so.—[Cries of “No! no! nor management either.”] Twelve months ago they were dissatisfied. He was certain the Minister of Mines would see a great difference in the miners at the present time from what he saw of them during his previous visit. Mr Morris then read the resolution again—“Tint in the opinion of this meeting it is desirable and to the best interest of this district that the Government keep the management of the water-races and sludge-channel under their control; but should they decide—[Cries of—“ Cut the latter part out, Bill!” “Cut it out!”] The motion was seconded in two places.

Mi- Clarke, County Chairman, took exception to some remarks which had been made of county councillors. It, was unfair and unmanly to say there were only three members to represent the raining interest in this part of the county. The Mayor then read the resolution to the meeting, with tint objectionable part struck out. Mr Dun guu ULoiic ... lo say a word*

He knew the people of this district; and he knew this question was well understood. The Minister of Minos with the greatest courtesy bad listened to all the County Council had to say on this question. The people here were in favour of this department remaining in the hands of the Government, He maintained that the Mines Department was created with the object of encouraging the mining industry of the colony. He thought the County Council had just enough to do with local government. —[Hear, hear.] This money was given for water-races in lieu of railways, and he thought the water-races as well as the railways should be under the management of the Government, —[Applause.]

The resolution was then put to the meeting with all the words from “but” struck out, and carried unanimously.

Replying to Mr Charles Harris in reference to the reduction of the gold duty, Mr Larnach said unfortunately a fresh difficulty had arisen in the matter of the abolition of the gold duty. The miners in the Haaraki Gulf had entered into an arrangement with the natives by which the revenue had been made over to them, and as they could not be induced to forego this, it would bo impossible to make a uniform law for the • whole colony; and he was afraid the House would not sanction the making of one law for the North Island and a different one for the Middle Island. Leases, might, however, be reduced, and he would endeavour to lighten these next session. The proper course would be, he though f , to relegate the gold duty to the county, as it concerned them more than the General Government, and if they wished to relieve the miner they could do so. The results of the interviews of the various deputations will be given in another issue. MR LARNACH AT GREYMOUTH. At the meeting of the Grey County Council with the Hon. Mr Larnach on Monday evening last, amongst other public works brought under the notice of the Minister, were the following:— THREE-MILE BRIDGE. Mr Warren pointed out the urgent need of a new bridge at the Greenstone, of which the piers are 35ft. high, and which are so rotten that it is dangerous for any one to pass. The bridge is, in fact, declared to be dangerous, and is closed by the County Council. About £BOO would he required to erect a new one, and it was quite beyond the means of the comity to do it. Mr Foley also spoke as to the dilapidated condition of the bridge. He said the timbers were so rotten that a man might put his fist through them. Mr Larnach said it was all very well to bring cases of this kind under his notice, hut they must remember that the hands of Government were tied until the House granted them a vote for any particular work. He would undertake, however, to explain to the Minister of Works that this was a case in which something should bo done at once. TEREMAKAU NEW SETTLEMENT. Mr Foley urged at some length the case of the residents of the Tereraakau new settlement, who, through the want of a road were virtually isolated and cooped up, being quite unable to get their produce to market except in mere handfuls, although they had been on the spot for the last eight years. He considered that they had been very hardly dealt with by previous Governments. About 1200 or 1500 acres were taken up and occupied, the population being over 30. Mr Guinness reminded Mr Larnach ’that he moved in the matter last session, and succeeded so far as to get a promise that Government would endeavour to give some assistance by widening the piesent track into a road if sufficient money was available. He also reminded Mr Larnach that the settlers were quite willing to give their services in making the road on the usual conditions on which road subsidies are granted, leaving the Government engineer to assess the value of their work.

Mr Larnach said the woik had his ■warmest sympathy, but reminded Mr Guinness that lust session the action of Parliament completely tied the hands of Government ,-iud prevented their doing many useful works which they would otherwise have carried out.