River and Harbor Works.

Patea Mail, 26 January 1882, Page 3

River and Harbor Works.

WHAT THE PREMIER SAYS. The Patea deputation to the Premier on Tuesday mooted two questions of much local importance, in addition to those already reported. The Mayor said: As to the harbor works and the river, we wish to ask you if the Government, in view of opening the back country, would authorise a survey of the river to be made to ascertain the general character of the land along the banks and see whether it is suitable for settlement. Premier; Yon mean high up the river? Mayor: Yes, to see if it is not possible to open up a very large tract of land. We think this can be done. We think the expense of a survey and such snagging as may be required to open the river suitably for steam launches would be comparatively slight, and the immediate advantage would be very large indeed. In such an exploration as that, we would wish to have a suitable site chosen for an inland settlement on the banks of the river. It appears there is a suitable site. The smaller branch of the river goes to the Mountain, and the larger branch takes its rise in the hill ranges lying northward from here. At the junction of the branches, or near that point, there is a suitable site for a settlement; and we think it would be a good and wise undertaking to epxlore this river for opening it to settlement The removal of some eelweirs, as recommended by Sir John Goode because they prevent the free inflow and' outflow of the tide—we understsnd that question has been dealt with, but we have no official notification to that effect. This matter I believe has been before the Government in various forms. You will see at once that the river, if it were made navigable, would open up a large tract of country. I have been some 80 miles up the river, which of course is circuitous, and I believe that for a comparatively small expenditure, it might be made available for steam launches to open it to settlement. Perhaps some other member of the deputation would like to say something on this point. The Mayor continued: As regards the harbor works, I have no doubt yon have heard that what has been done has been highly successful indeed ; that it appeared the further the work was carried out, the greater were the advantages. Unfortunately, through a want of funds, the work has had to be stopped, and it is very desirable that the work should be recommenced, because we would submit that anything which improves the river improves the colonial estate to a very great extent. It appears to be a work that ought to be carried on. Already the freights, which before this work were very high and almost prohibitory, have been brought 'within comparatively reasonable limits. We believe that for a small expenditure the river would be so improved as to make it one of the best along the Coast. You have no doubt seen Sir John Goode’s report, in which he speaks very favorably of this river. It would seem that what he proposed can be carried out for one third his estimate; that the results can be attained for one third less. Premier ; How is that ? ; Mayor: The amount of work already done, if taken on his estimate, should cost three times the sura actually expended. The work has cost £12,000. Premier: You mean the works have been done in a different way ? Mayor: Yes; we have found, in going along, that it did not require such heavy work; and he was communicated with and approved of the course being taken, judging by the results as reported to him. The opening of the river would include, snagging. The river bed is very full of totara logs. Premier: With regard to the harbor works, 1 am glad to learn that what has been done has effected such a marked

improvement, and I should be glad to see the work go further; but I can assure yon that however desirable this work may be, it is only one of very many of the same class in different parts of the colony. I think you will admit the Government has not been illiberal in its contributions towards the cost of the Patea harbor works. I believe the greater part of the work has been done, by means of subsidies and endowments. Onr means are as limited as those of the Harbor Board at present. Perhaps our difficulties arc greater. I cannot say anything with regard to farther contributions for the harbor works. Mayor: The claims of other places can hardly be on a level with this. Taranaki harbor with its £230,000, Wanganui harbor with its very • large land endowment—these have had very large endowments. Taranaki takes a fourth of the land revenue of the whole district. Patea harbor got not 4,000 acres. Premier: It got some very good land. . Mayor : 2,700 of it was land there at the back, selling at 80s an acre. Small pieces that we got have been enhanced in value by the harbor . work itself. Indeed that work has, to a large extent, produced the means for carrying on the work. If you will pardon me, I can hardly see that we arc on a par with other places in our claim for help to carry on this work. Premier: With regard to New Plymouth, those parts of the country which were supposed to be benefited are liable to be rated to pay interest. However, I can only say, although I should be exceedingly glad to see the harbor further improved, still looking at the resources likely to be at the disposal of the Government, and the claims for other works of all kinds, it is not in my power to say anything in reference to contributions. I dont’t say the Government wont do it, but I cannot lead yon to believe that anything will be done. You may rely on the claims of the district being not only fairly but energetically represented by your member, Major Atkinson. With regard to the river, and the survey of blocks adjoining it, the Government has just now given directions for the removal of the eel-weirs, which we are told will probably have the effect of opening the river to navigation for a considerable distance. Advantage will be taken of that work going on for making inquiries as to land alongside the river, and as to what will be required in the way of snagging. There will be no difficulty while the eel-weirs are being removed, to make further inquiries. I shall be glad to have that done. I will also call Mr Rolloston’s attention to your suggestion of forming a settlement at the junction of the two rivers.

Mayor: Perhaps some other member of the deputation has some matter to bring under your notice.

Mr Tennent: Kelative to the harbor question, I suppose there will be little difficulty in bringing in an endowment bill, providing the district agreed to a rating clause ? Premier: That is the main difficulty. In the case of Timaru, authority to borrow was given in the last session on condition that any sum required to make up the interest on the loan should be levied on the district. Mr Tennent: The difficulty the Government see is the giving of any further endowment ? Premier: The difficulty is to see anything we can do. You have an exceedingly fine district. It is the envy of all strangers who come through it. Mr Aitchison: It would be very much easier to get rating powers, were the Government to back up the rate with some endowment. Premier: It is not the first time I have heard that, I assure you. (Laughter.) Mr Aitchison : Several pieces of land belonging to Government are not being utilised, and the Government might very well hand them over.

Premier: Parliament lias shown itself very jealous of further endowments for harbor improvements. The matter really does not rest with the Government.

Mr W. Cowern : Parliament on many occasions has objected to the purchase of native lauds—objecting to the money spent in purchavsing them. If one of those blocks were handed over to the Patea Harbor Board—on the banks of the river there arc several such blocks—the cost paid by Government for the block might be made a first charge out of the money which the Board might realise by disposing of that land. Would it be possible to transfer one of those blocks, on condition of repaying to Government the amount it had paid for the original purchase ? Premier : I suppose a good deal would depend on which block. I don’t know that any particular objection has been raised to the purchase in this distiict. It has been stated by members that a great deal of Government land has been bought that is comparatively worthless. Mr Cowern : It would get over, in a measure, the idea of an endowment, if a block were handed over for the purpose. A local body like the Harbor Board, being in the district, would be able to make more out of the block than the Government.

Premier : I cannot say I am very sanguine as to the idea being adopted. Mr Barker: Is there any idea of the Government dealing with harbors generally ? Premier; I don’t know that there is any intention. Is there anything more ? I want to push on this afternoon. Mayor ; On behalf of the deputation, I thank you very kindly, and I hope some fruit will result; having recognised the improvement of the harbor, and also noting that we have had very little for it in comparison with other places, and that we have a special claim in that respect. We are glad to see you in the district. Premier ; Good day, gentlemen. The deputation retired, and the Premier started northward.