VISIT TO ALEXANDRA AND CLYDE.

Otago Witness, Issue 2892, 11 August 1909, Page 31

VISIT TO ALEXANDRA AND CLYDE.

FARMERS AND MINERS' WANTS. CLYDE, August 6. A number of gentlemen waited upon the Hon. Mr M'Kenzie at Ophir this, morning. Mr G. W. Pickett welcomed th-e Minister on behalf of the residents of the district. CRY FOR WATER. Mr B. Flannery, on being introduced to the Minister by Mr Scott, M.P., eaid the outcry by both farmers and i-.rning people in the district was for water, and the idea was that the Bonanza water race could be extended in a manner beneficial to both. He had been in the district many years, and the country had been getting drier and drier. Where there had been - a trickle of water m the gullies there was none now, and until near Alexandra there was not half a head of water flowing in any of the gullies. The Bonanza race had been bought by the Government for that district alone for mining and irrigation, but it had been diverted to Alexandra, and he maintained that they were being robbed of their rights. The water that had been taken in the direction of Alexandra was not being used to-day. They had a field for prospecting from end to end, but the water was diminishing, and so was the population. With water there would be an opening for those seeking employment. If the Bonanza dam was laised another 2.oft or oVtt there would be plenty of water to serve the farmers and miners. He suggested that a man should be resident at the dam to shut it down and save water that otherwise ran away. Tho Government might cat v race to extend to the Poolburn Gorge. The course wouM not be quite 12 miles. The Minister : How much is it supposed to cost ? Mr Flannery : It would cost £400 or £500 a mile. The Minister : That is £6000. Mr Flannerv. continuing, said he felt satisfied that' it would be a profitable investment for the Government, because it would increase the population and the gold revenue and would give employment. The Minis-ter : How did they come to twist it round to Alexandra? "Mr Flannery : The time Mr Seddon was away Home or when he died was the time the damage wrs done. Mr R. Love advocated that the water be utilised both for mining and irrigation. Mr J. M'Knight pointed out that if the ground became w\,' ked out the lace would always be a vdiuaMe a<=se*e, ::» the water would be eagerly taken by farmer^ for irrigation. The Minister said there v-ere always two fides to a ijiiestion. The Government had been lo= : ng money over the ra-e ever since it had been purchased, and it would be better to hand over the rare. It was. however, in the interest of the country to sometimes c-.ny on things even at a loss. The Government had under consideration a lai cc f cheine ~ the irrigation of Cei.tri-1 Ota?;o, and Ida Valley was beint; consideied timoiKjoth'-r places. There was a considerable «nstinction if the nice «a- u-ed for minir,^ or carried out for irrigation, and one point was that it would be canied oi«t by different dcp.utment-, but th= water

' should not be allowed to run to waste. If it could not be used for mining, it should be utilised for irrigation. He would have to inquire into the question of the race being diverted. He did not see how he could assist them so far as the present race was concerned umil he had made full inquiries. Of course, the Government would not spend £6GOO on the race when it was losing on it at the present time, but if the prospects were sufficient to warrant the extension and the Government had the money something might be done. If the prospects did not warrant it there was not much chance of the race being extended. The farmers would have to pay for the water for irrigation, and if they made some reasonable offer, he would say let them have it by all means. Mr Flannery : I understood they had an offer in Wellington for so much per head. The Minister : That would go to the Minister of Agriculture. Mr Furkert (Public Works Department), replying to the Minister, said there was enough water fall if it could only be saved. The quantity to be obtained depended upon the money available for exp.nditure on reservoirs. The Minister said he would have to examine into the matter again as far as the n.ining phase was concerned. He would like to help the district all he could, but the Government had been losing on this race ever since it acquired it. He thought only £150 was got out of the water sold, and it cost the Government £400 or £500. Mr Scott said he understood it was intended to raise the Greenland dam. Mr Murray (inspector) said it was 20ft, and the idea was to raise it to 60ft. The Minister: A rise from 20xt to 60ft is a pretty big order. I will have the matter inquired into. ROAD IMPROVEMENT. Another deputation waited upon the Minister with regard to improving the grade of the road between Ophir and Poolburn, the speakers being Messrs M'Knight and Flannery. The former said it would ccst from, £800 to £1000 to do the work The Minister said he would have the matter inquired into. A grant of £1000 for a road was not so easily got. If Mr Scott would inquire into this and was prepared to say it was one of the most urgent things required, he would endeavour to provide something for the road. DEPUTATIONS AT ALEXANDRA. The Ministerial party left Ophir shortly after half-past 10, and reached Alexandra about 1 o'clock, where further deputations were in waiting. The first of these was headed by the Mayor (Mr H. S. 1 Schaumann), and was introduced by Mr Scott Mr Schaumann expressed pleasure at seeing the Minister in Alexandra, and proceeded to state that the object of the deputation was to procure a new post oftice for the town. The present one was a very old building, having been erected 40 years ago. It would soon need studs to keep it from falling. The sum of £500 had been placed on the Estimates towards a building, but nothing fuither had been done. There were from 1600 to 1800 persons served by the office. Another matter was in regard to the railway station platform, which required asphalting. In advocating these two things he expressed the view that Central Otago would in time be the backbone of the South lelaiid. Mr L. Ryan, speaking of the insanitary condition of the post office, said one person who had resided in it for some three years had died of tuberculosis. The Minister said so far as the post ofh>e was concerned the building was not a very suitable one. However, they were dealing with a young country, and money was always difficult to obtain for such purposes, but he would do what he could in getting a post office, because he recognised it was required. Sketch plans of the building- had been, made, and £750 voted, and the chances were that as soon as the plans were finished the offire would be started. As to tho railway platform, it did not ccme under his control, and as the railway was costing £3 8s for every £100, it was not likely that the Government would do anything there. He thought they should try to get more trade for the railwnv. He would represent the matter to the Hon. Mr Millar, and if he paw any chance of asphalting the platform he would do so. Mr Schaiiuiann al.-o mentioned the building of an additional tla-s 100 m for the school, which had 263 pupils attending it. The present rooms weve very much overcrowded. The Minister said this w.is a matter for the Minister of Education, and he would represent it to him. MINERS' WANTS. j Members of the Alexandra Min-ers' Association then waited on the Minister. J Mr C. Weaver (president) first referred to the right to obtain occupation leases on mining reserves. It was iound that many portion? of mining reserves sjitable for occupation were taken up and such extensive improvements made in the holdings as to raise thf improve- i ments to such an exceedingly high value that no Government could ever think of paying them. '\\hf>n gold was traced up to the bound-irit-s it meant that the miner was piMclically debarred from r»incc + he land, and the deputation asked j that the occupation shou'd be of shorter duration and only in the nature of a grazing ri^ht, so lhat the laud could be lesumed at any time. The next question was illative to the Eonan-sa water lace. H was found that there v.'js a vater right in connection wuh the Dip Creek held by the Galioway Station, and the miners had applied for an outlet •through this rrr-k, but it was held that this Water li^'it debarred all mining operations beinf cariied out in the locality. They asked if the Government wou'd supply water from the Bonanza race to

the Galloway Station, and allow the miners to sluice down the gully. This outlet blocked the whole country. With regard to the Keystone drill, this was appreciated very much by the mining community, and it was understood that there was a subsidy of £10C0, of which only £250 remained. The drill was in operation in the Cromwell district, and there had been applications for it from Alexandra, and it there was only ££00 of subsidy remaining, there would be no money left. The people of the Alexandra district wanted the same rights as the people who first obtained the use of the drill. With regard to the Bonanza dam, it had in the past been promised that this would be gone on with — that was, that it would be built higher. He would like to know what had been done with the money allocated for this dam. Another matter was the keeping of a mining register at Alexandra. All the work had to go through to Clyde, which caused a great deal of inconvenience. They asked that a duplicate register might be kept in Alexandra, under the custody of the local constable. Another thing was the application for claims. People took these up for the purpose of holding them for a considerable time. He explained that with surveyors and other things month after month went by, and this, piaysd into the hands of those who were not bona fide miners. The next subject was that of irrigation. They had had Mr Bruce's report on the land scheme, but they had heard nothing about Mr Dobson's report on the water scheme. The Minister : It is not finished yet. Mr Weaver, continuing, said the whole life of the place depended upon irrigation. Mr A. C. Iversen said they wanted the land opened up for settlement, but the land without water was nc gooa. He went on to refer to the productivene&s of this land if water was available. Mr E. Appleton pointed out that if the Government could see its way to give I Galloway Station a head of water the I miners would in all probability be permitted to sluice. The Bonanza dam was commanded by the Taieri River, and a race of 12 or 13 miles would bring in that river. The Minister said that as to occupation leases on mining reserves he knew it was a great drawback to mining, and some system under which mining and pastoral pursuits could go hand in hand was wanted. Hi 6 own idea, was that the Crown should give grazing rights, or if gold was found the Government should pay compensation and resume the land for mining purposes. As to a shorter lease, if it was only a yearly one no one would take it. He would have to get a report on the Bonanza, race and Dip creek. As to giving the head of water to Galloway Station, if they could only get four heads he would say, let them have the one and use the other three for other purposes. It would be a very exceptional case indeed where a subsidy would be given with the Keystone drill. Those using it had to pay the man's wages, and those were the terms on which it was available. He would be pleased to let them have the drill for the district, but if they wanted a Eubsidy Parliament would have to make provision for it. An application had been made by Arrowtown for keeping a duplicate mining register, but the department would not consent to it at all. He would have their application reported upon and let them know the result. As to ground being held for years without anything being done, he knew that was the case. He had known of an instance in his own district where it was held for eight years. It was an evil that was very common throughout New Zealand and should be put a etop to, and while the ground was held no one else could possibly apply for it. As to bringing the Taieri River in to the Bonanza dam, and raising the wall it was a very large question. Thirteen miles of race was a pretty big order. The question of raiding the dam wall had been brought before him, and he had inquired about the probable cost, and when he got an estimate he would have a report upon it. As to an irrigation scheme it was proposed to put a dam •upon the Taieri itself, altogether for irri gation purposes. He asked what the area was. Mr Furkert replied that it would he probably 20 square mile^ and the holding capacity would be eight thousand million cubic feet. The Minister said they had two suiveyors working on an irrigation scheme for Central Otago. They must have the necessary information befove they could do anything. They were also considering a hydro-electiic scheme. If they could get water irom the Kawarau Gorge they could bring it to Alexandra and pump* the water out of the C'lutha 1 liver to supply it, but until they had these schemes complete and found out what they would cost, he could not say anything definite. The Government had ' authorised the borrowing of £100,000 for irrigation works for Otago Central. In some places he thought a gravitation scheme would be found the cheaper. j DEPUTATIONS AT CLYDE. The Ministerial party proceeded *o Clyde by train, and in the evening the Minister was waited upon by the chairman of the Vincent County Council (Mr J. Horn) and other?. Mr Horn referred at some length to the requisitions which the council was making. The fii>t was for £750 for the Cvldr-'Croimvell road, which was very narrow through the gorge. Then there was the Cromwell-Wanaka road, for which they asked £500. There was a bridge across the ror.d about 14 miles from Pembroke, and £650 would put a steel bridge across the creek at this spot. Tf it rained a drop traffic was very much impeded. Then there was the Nevis-Cromwell road, towards which they were asking £100, and they were asking £250 for the TarrasLindis road. There was a road on the Lake County boundary for which £150 was req_uired A and £150 was wanted fox

' the Earnscleugh road. The sum of £ICH! , was desired for the Bannockburn Coa] road, and £100 for the Makarora Valley, road. The Nevis Valley road would require £300. There was an item of £2000 for the Clyde bridge repairs, but that could be done withoutr for two years. The Minister : You will lose thafc box cause you are allowing the cables to rust.. • Mr Horn, continuing, said that the engineeer thought they could hang out for about two years, but the wooden uprights were in the worst condition, and it would be well to get something done there. The uprights would cost about £100. The next item was £3000 for a" bridge across the Clutha River at DeadMan's Point, above Cromwell. The idea was to close a portion of the road, and have the bridge instead. The last item was the bridge across the Clutha at Lug<rate. There were four punts crossing the river in this locality, and their cost was about £700 a year. They had stuck to v the punts in the anticipation that the rax^ way would be extended. It was under- , stood that if the railway stopped at Clyde the Government would be approached as to a bridge across at the Luggate, and if the railway was extended later on this bridge would be useful. It would not be wasted in any way. That bridge woud cost £10,000 to construct of steel, x and would be across the Clutha River. The Minister pointed out that the total came to something like £20,000. Perhaps the local bodies knew the most urg«W works, and he would consult Mr W*Fraser, member for Wakatipu, on. toe subject.- He must say that he thought a. ! chaige should be made on the waggoners, who in other parts ware charged as high as £20. Could Mr Horn provide any of • 1 the £10,000 for the bridge? Mr Horn replied that up to the present they ."had never had a loan. Thej had never asked for it. The Minster: You have been exceedingly lucky if you can carry on with a l£d i-ate and never had a loan. You must be well served by the Government. You Have been treating your ratepayers exceedingly well. Mr Fraser, M.P., who joined the party at Clyde, endorsed what Mr Horn hail said, and expressed the opinion that there should be a motor service to Pembroke, but they would not be able to get across the Luggate without the bridge, costing * £650. The Minister said lie would deal with the applications in their order of merit, and if Parliament gave him the money to expend, there was a fair chance of them getting -what they wanted, but if Parliament did not give him the money they; would not get what they wanted. KEYSTONE BORER. Mr Horn, then referred to the Keystott*'. borer, and* urged that the Government; should adhere to its first subsidy of £1000* and not reduce it to £250. He also referred to the question of those using the,' borer being held responsible for it*; safety. The Minister eaid as far a3 the sub--^ sidy went, he did not think he would 1 be able to give more than £250, nor? could he relieve them of the risk in connection with the borer. v Mr Horn : I think you should make iff£soo, so that £250 will be available for this end. The Minister : I am sorry I cannot. IRRIGATION AND FRUIT-GROWING.-Mr Scott, member for Tuapeka, then introduced a deputation consisting of D$ Hyde and others, who wished to discuss irrigation and fruit-growing. Di Hyde said, with a view to reducing the expense of an irrigation echeme, they, had decided to propose to the Government a dam at Shepherd's Flat, which was ri natural reservoir two miles long and vary ing from half-a-mile to a few chains uv width. The engineer considered that it? would supply 20 Fwads of water for six. months continuously. Power could bm transmitted to the river at Clyde and employed in pumping the Molyneux to supply the Flat. Another matter hewished to refer to was the starting of an experimental farm or orchard, which they thought was justified, as there were foul in the North Island. They had 135 acre* of an endowment, which was available for the purpose. The Minister explained the irrigation scheme already outlined for Otago Central. He said it was necessary to have definite information on the subject. Two parties of surveyors were at work, and" .is soon as uniormation was forthcoming it would be for the Government to decida as to the raibing of the £100,000 to carry out the work. One proposal was to build a reservoir on the Taieri Ri%er That would be a gravitation scheme, and the water would have to be carried over 60 miles in a race. Then they weie considering a scheme to generate electricity by water power to pump the water out of. the lakes and rivers, put it into reservoirs,, and carry it to where it was required for irrigation. " But," he added witri a laugh, " if you are going in for dry cul* ture, I am afraid you may be leaving the irrigation scheme on my hands, so I don't' think it would be a good thing to sen<t dry culture experts through the country. '** Central Otago, he continued, had great

jto'ssibilities for fruit-growing, and one of I ihe things the Government had had under j consideration was to try to develop an I acport trade in fruit from this country, j Fhers wa.s not the slightest chance of the i narket being overdone. Mr M'Kenzie irooeeded to defend the land policy of lie Government, which had besn inoidenally referred to by one of the many jjeakers that formed the deputation. He jbought the £100,000 would be far better jjent in, irrigation for Central Otago than a extending the railway to Hawea. As p experimental orchards, he would like b see one established in Central Otago. jjftth 10 acres and a market for the fruit ie was satisßed a man could, in 10 or 15 rears, be independent. A small experimental orchard would not be very costly. The deputation then thanked the hon. [entlemrui and retired. [.Mr R. Scott left the party at Clyde. At Ranfuily the Ministerial party was < increased by Mr R. M'lntosh (Inspector , t Mines for the southern district) and Mr I. Murray (Government water race > Manager). \ ARRIVAL AT OVERCARGILL. I INVERCARGILL, August 9. | The Hon. R. M'Kenzie of Public Jfarbs) and party left Arrowtown on Sunfcy morning, and after a pleasant, though Wd, drive reached Queenstown about fidday. No one approached the Minister jjire on business,- probably' on account of he day, and the afternoon was spent in faying a quiet stroll round and seeing the jeauties of Queenstown. This morning £w the party on it.<« tiavels again, and |ie run to Kingston in the steamer was -pleasant one. The train was taken for [ore, and the mixed train caught for inreroargill , which was reached shortly fter 5 o'clock. ■The Minister wa.« met on the Railway tetion by Mr C. S. Longuet (Mayor of hvercargill) and Mr J. A. Hanan.'M.P.. pd was w-elconwd. After this th» [mister. accompanied by Mr Hanan. had r short walk round the city, airl .-pent he- evening privately. Any ljiif.ine.-s> done ras of a departmental character. [Mr M'Kenzie. aft a- vi.«itino Orepuki. rill go on to Waimahaka. probal)'\ iSirning by way of Wyml'i *»i i.< (I .•. rhere he will stop for the i , i T' i ~< ! .v 'ill be occupied in visit in _' Vnk.u.i .v? <and a return wi 1 ' 1>: i c<- ' to lore, which will be the Mm .-^j - lil.ml uarters for the night. ()a I", yj«\ he ijl go to Balclutha, take a it,:i ":t,n to Eouipapa. return to Balcltulia. uiul o j s far as Kaitangata, wliere a halt wiil be pude for the night. On Saturday he all visit Inchclutha, and will ba enterined at a banquet in the evening at Wchitha. His movements in connection with his isifc to Roxburgh are not quite definitely xed, but he will drive through theClutha 'alley by way of Tuapeka Mouth, and is ue in Roxburgh on Mondr.y evening. ,M.r M'lntofh (Inspector of Mine?) left be party at Quacn&town. and Mr E. JR. Ireen (Inspector of Mine«s) wa-s in waitig when th« Minister reached Inveicariu. The latter will accompany Mr t*Kenzie for at Lea^t a portion of the lelainder of the toux-