Visit of the Hon. G. F. Richardson, Minister of Mines and Lands.

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 328, 26 December 1888, Page 2

Visit of the Hon. G. F. Richardson, Minister of Mines and Lands.

The Minister, accompanied by Messrs Warden Norfchcroft, A. J. Cadman, M.H.R , Gordon, Inspecting Engineer oF Mines, and G. Wilson, Mining Inspector for Hauraki, arrived at Te Arohn from Paeroa on Monday evening 17th, the Ministerial party putting up at the Club Hotel. Nextmnrning(Tuesday)Hon.Mrßich ardson, accompanied by Messrs Cadman, Gordon, and Wilson, and Te Aroha. •and Ohinemuri News representative, left about 10 a.m. for Waiorongomai (the Warden having Court business to attend to was unable to join the party). On arriving at Waiorongomai the visitors were met by Mr J, McCosh Clarke, local director of theTe Aroha Silver and Gold Mining Co., Limited; and Mr J. Howell, the Co's manager, and were by them shown over the newly-erected buildings and plant ; in the course of which Mr Howell explained the modus operandi it is proposed to follow, From the time the quartz first enters the Co's vroiks until the bullion is sent away ; and in reply to various questions put, gave much information of a most instructive and interesting character respecting the manner j in which it was intended to treat j refractory and other ore. For the information of the Minister, the fourteen Frue concentrators already erected were set in motion for a short time, and the advantages of this method of treatment was fully - explained. The lower (or taiitngs-plantj,-smelter, assay office, etc., were .also. gone through, .and after the party had partaken ~ J of - 1 an" excellent luncheon, provided for' them at Smardon's Hotel by Mr J. M. Clarke, a start was made for the mines. Two of the New Find levels, also the Colonist, were visited, the party in each instance going right through the various workings. Mr Richardson appeared much interested in all lie saw, and was agreeably surprised at the extenaiveness of the new plant now in. course of erection for the Co. ; and the very rthorough and systematic' manner 'in which^ everything is being can ied out. The party returned to Te Aroha about 6 p.m. ', In the course of the evening a number of deputations waited upon the Minister, re the following matters of local interest. The deputations in~ each. case being introduced to the Minister by Mr Cadman. MH.R. "•*;•*■'' Special Honestead Settlers : Messrs Mills, Hotohin, and two others, constituted (% deputa^iorionlDehalf of some of the Homestnad(len-acre) settlers, who took up" land on tha VesTfc side of the Waihou river some twoyears'ago. They complained of the manner in* which their lantf had been drained, -as-not being according to the promise given at the time the land was applied for ; and the deputation requested that the drain be deepened an 1 enlarged. •■ In reply to Mr Richardson, it was stated that the rent of the land was 3sper acre ; those of the settle) a >vho applied for pecuniary assistance, loceived £20 each towards Mre, first ensb' for 'building a-bou«e on tha land, etc., Tlie mentation estimated, jljip coat of carry-

ing out tine work In the manner they considered necessary, would be about £30 to £40. , I Mr Richardson stated L 290 had been yotedjnst Session for drains on t ,the Te Arc-ha block ; L 53 of which had been already expended, and up to October 31st contracts had been entered into for further work on the block amounting to L 275; the total being in excess of the vote. He would, however, on his return to Auckland see Mr Percy Smith, Chief Surveyor for Auckland district, with respect to the manner in which the work had been carried out ; meantime he could not promise to do anything ; but would have the matter carefully gone into so as to see if the matter was as now represented, and it anything 1 could be done after he had received Mr Smith's report, Te Aroha Town Board : Messrs E. Gallagher (chairman), Lipsey, Ebert, Henthcote, and Mills, Commissioners for Te Aroha Town District, next waited upon Mr Richardson, relative jfco the present tenure of Te Aroha township. Mr Gallagher, on behalf of deputation, stated that (he business and residence sites of the township were taken up under the goldfield regulations, on 21 years lease, about a third of which time had already expired ; and there was a very general desire on the part of the present occupiers to obtain leases in perpetuity, which most of the native owners were quite willing to grant if Government would sanction its being" done. The present tenure was not generally considered a satisfactory one, and it was desirable that better inducements be given for the expenditure of capital. Mr Lipsey (as representating a portion of the native interests concerned), said : He thought if leases were granted in perpetuity, as suggested, it would encourage people to erect a better class of buildings, and generally to expend money ; and also perhaps set at rest for ever the desire for a freehold, which the native owners did not feel disposed to agree to ; but they were desirous in every other way to, as far as was reasonable, to meet the wishes of the people. 'Mr Richardson in reply said : As he understood the matter, it was a question for the Native Department to deal with. He understood the residents now hold under goldfields regulations, that being the case, although they only had twentyone year leases, he considered they had a much better title than they could obtain if under any other Department. As the rent from Te Aroha township lands went to natives, the question raised would be one for the GoUHields Department to t move in, in conjunction with the native owners. In reply to Mr Richardson Mr Lipsey snid ; By agreement made between the Government and native owners, Government have the right to the land so long as they require it for gold field purposes. Mr Richardson : I think it very desirable for Government to acquire the freehold of the land, and then they would be in a position to deal with ifc in fee. Mr Lipsey : I don't think we would meet you in that respect, Mr Cad man : Has the land been ceded to Government ? Mr Jbipsey : Yes, for goldfields purj poses. Mr Richardson : The whole qtte?tion is clearly one for the Native Department. I will see what can be done In the'matter. It is clearly not a matter of great urgency. On my return to Wellington I will bring the matter under the notice of the Native Minister, and he will communicate with the deputation on the matter. Te Aroha West D. P. Settlers: Messrs Borrie, Juckaon, Reynolds, Higdon, Brokenshiio, Stanley, Brunn, and Mrs Read, next waited upon the Minister, on behalf of the deferred payment settlers, Blocks 11 and 12, Te Aroha Survey District (Te Aroha West). Mr Borrie acted as spokesman and said : The settlers at Te Aroha West were residing on land of exceedingly poor quality, and thought they were entitled to some relief. By the terms under which they had taken it np they woold have to pay L 2 per acre for it before they could obtain their freeholds ; whilst as a matter-of-fact the land was not worth anything like IJ2. Mr John Hunt, valuer for the Property Tax Department, had this year valued theland referred to at less than Ll per acre, although it now had all tlie improvements (houses, etc.), effected by the occupiers during the past eight years. The fact was some eight or nine years ago (at the time they took up this Block) land was so blown up, as to value, that it was very difficult to get a bit of land at all ; and fictitious values were given. In reply to Mr Richardson, as to the position they stood in- with regard to arrears of rent, Mr Borrie said : I havp [paid rent myself for the past four year. Tt would pay any of us better to even no\v los<* the laud than pay up arrears. I have myself paid L9O rent, on the 10,0 acres 1 hold, ' -The greater part of tile 'holdings are about 100 acre sections. Most of us had each a bit of money when we took this land- up, but have lost lit all, as well as money, since earned, jn improvements and "trying to make southing of the laud.- ,', Mr Richardson ; - WJ^t do you cdn- J sidor is a fair value to be paid f»r tJio land, befoi.e yot* can iv«;tsuire your fr*e hol'lfc 1 . * i Mr Borne : We-corfsi'ler that in piy* ! i/ig' IA per acre, we h-ave paid move tjian its viilue. . i, Mr T. ttt.infey ; Wl»«m we tool'' up t)v> liiiiil, nwt'of us had From L2OO to 1-3(10 cashVihis tve'hiife htel.in thcj.ind, - f u)\\ we novy have fty $<* °$ l)X \ r fa

look for work to obtain a living. I Mr Richardson : I may state for your information that last Session Government made an attempt-to bring in a Fair Rent' Bill, but it did not meet with the approval of s tUe -/House,, and consequently was thrown; Government then, decided that' "during 1 the recess they< would prepare another Bill to try and meet the case of those settlers who it was satisfactorily proved r were paying excessive rents ; and the Crown Lands 'Commissioners were now 'engaged in preparing a report to submit to Government respecting the values of such lands in their several districts. Yours is the only case that has come under my notice, in which the official upset price of the land is complained of as being excessive. In most cases it was the settlers themselves who cut their own throats by running up the land to £3 or £4 an acre, when the upset price was perhaps only Ll or L 2 ; and their action was not the fault of the Government. I will however see Mr Percy Smith (Crown Lands Commissioner), on my return to Auckland, and go into the tnatte»* you have laid before me with him, and see what can be done. Gordon Special Settlers : Messrs Jas. Munro and J. McLeod, representing themselves as a deputation on behalf of the Gordon Special Settlers, were next introduced. Mr Munro acting as spokesman said : All the land known to be valuable for mining at the Waiorongomai end of the field was now taken up and held by large companies, and there was no chance for the working man to take up any. The Gordon Settlement was composed principally of miners, and they would be glad if Government would give them assistance to- i wards prospecting the ranges. Mr Richardson : I am afraid your case is not one in which the vote for aiding pro3pecting would apply. The manner in which the vote for aid to prospecting parties was taken unfair advantage of was such, that it was Found absolutely necessary to stop the vote altogether ; aud now the only way in which Government are prepared to assist prospecting is by giving L for L subsidies to the local bodies, to enable them to cut tracks, malt a roads, etc., to give men an opportunity to get on to new ground to prospect. Government are ready and willing to grant assistance on the L for L system to any reasonable extent, to enable new tracks, etc., on goiilfields to be made. Mr Richardson concluded his remarks by referring to the great advantages likely td result to the district generally, Ihrqugh the establishment of such extensive reduction works as were now in course of construction at Waiorongomai, by the Te Aroha S. and G. M. Co., and to the manner in which working men would be thereby benefitted, and a ready market be provided whereat the working miner could dispose of his ore. Domain Board : Messrs Gavin (chairman), Wilson, Lipsey, and Ahicr, members of the Te Aroha Hot Springs Domain Board, next waited upon the Minister relative to matters connected with the Te Aroha Hot Springs Domain. Mr Gavin said ; * The Hon. Sir Frederick Whi taker (when visiting Te Aroha some two years ago), suggested to the Board the advisability of their getting a tracing made of some forty acres of land adjoining the Domain, which he considered it was very desirable should be purchased and and handed over for further extension of the Domain. The land referred to wa3 that on the hill side of the Domain ; and would include a good deal of bush, etc., which it was desirable should be preserved from lire. Sir Fred. Whitaker's suggestion had been acted upon, and Government asked to acquire the land, and he (the speaker) believed some of the land referred to had already been obtained by Government, but only a portion of it, and the Board were anxious to know if anything further was likely to bo done in the matter, Mr Richardson : Now that I have seen the place aud springs for myself, I am quite of opinion, that if the land referred to can be acquired for extension of the Dom-iin, it is very desirable it should be obtained that is the face of the hill. So far as lam at present aware it is a matter in which .Government have already proceeded a certain length, and on my return to Wellington I will see what further can be done about it. As you no doubt know, often times it is very difficult to get the native owners to sell their land when it was wanted ; as in this case. Mr Lipsey said, speaking on behalf of some of the native owners concerned, they were not prepared to sell their land. Both himself and his wife had made it a rule to sell no land whatever ; but there was some land across the river which they would be prepared to take in exchange for the land required for Domain extension. Mr Richardson : It is out of t'le power of Government to exchange lands with [native owners, at least it would require special legislation and be very troublesome ; but Government could purchase your laud, and have the land you refer to cm the other side of the river put up for sale, which you could then purchase, and in this way the mtitter might, bo, satisfactorily settled. ' (2) The Chairman next said that the Board had of late been carrying out various i\q\v j works; ' and at the present I time some new works were under weigh I which ,he thought they would not be able to payj for t \y Tv.cn completed, ann would be gltnl i( Government would give the Board a grant vf .say Ll'OU Wwuirds tiie co«-t of these works. Mr Richardson : What, are tLe new WWiliS you refer to 1

T7^ '"^"-^ * „. Mr Gavin*: Onewwgg^the lowering of No, 5 bas housoja-the level of No. 2 :,driiijk^girig;so;^&bhe temperature of of W^®^ r i^^ ( lw'a re a% increased, A seedml was/the£Js>n^ctin£>No. 6 bath with a spring about, %o chains distant, 'which it was pr^pose'd to utilise by maka reservoir'round it, to be connected $$j'No. 6 bath Kouge by, a pipe,, so that sthis^bath ; could be emptied more'frequently. (3)* THe Board also proposed* to erect a public library in the Domain which he considered would prove an attraction to a great many, and visitors could make use of it 'also, going to or, coming from the baths, and go in" thereto cool down, etc. ; a library building/ could, he though t,- be 1 erected for about 1 L5O, ; Mr Ricardson in reply said : With regard to the matter of alterations for the improvement of the baths and develop^ment of the springs — that of course was the first duty of the Domain Board. To my mind (he springs are Te Aroha. By simply postponing for a time some of tjie improvements you refer to, you would avoid financial difficulty. I sec a lot/of work has been done in the Domain which has nothing to do with improving the baths or developing the springs, and which, if ever carried out, could have very well stood overuntilthe more important works had been attended to, Other places have very fine domains, but you should remember people come to, Te Aroha to avail of the springs. "With respect to the erection of a public library, I must say I was quite taken back on seeing by newspaper reports that the Domain Board contemplated erecting a public library in the Domain. The Board have no right whatever to expend funds in such a manner, to do so would be to act utterly contrary to the spirit of the Public Domain's Act. In ( rder the better to assure myself on this ,point I wired to Wellington on the subject to-day, and have received a veply, confirming the view I had already formed on the question. It is quite evident the Domain Board nas no right either to erect a public library themselves, or to have one in the Domain grounds at all. I observe you have also been expending money in constructing a bowling green in the Domain ; this may add to the attractions of a'Dornain, but cannot be considered a work directly connected with the development of the springs. Mr Gavin : We should not hare carried out the erection of a library, without first obtaining the sanction of Government; 1 and the Board, or rather a majority of the Board, thought it very desirable that a public library be erected in the Domain. I may say it is a work the Board have had in contemplation for a long time post. Mr Richardson : T am afraid it would be hopeless to ask Government to assist you with a money grant. So far «s I know about balf your gross revenue is available for improvements. Speaking now as a visitor — and not as a Minister — These S),rings are Te Aroha, and every shilliing should be spent vi developing the springs, Te Aroha already h s bocome one of the favourite resort?, on account of its springs, ami t\\U positon it is likely in my opinion to maintain. Mr Gavin : At the time the work of constructing a bowling green, etc., was put in hand, no other new works were contemplated. I would like to ask if the Board, or a majority of its meinbeis, were willing to give their own personal security in order to obtain a loan, would there "bo any objection to their so doing, on the part of Government. Mr Richardson,; t The position of the Domain Board is a peculiar ono. They have no rating powers, and are not legally entitled to obtain a loan. It is quite clear the spirit of the Domain Act empowered them only to administer the funds accruing from the Domain, and they certainly had no' right to negotiate a loan at all ; and Government could not consider you in the matter, if you did so. Mr Gavin : But I suppose there is no reason why the members may not become personally responsible themselves if they wish to ? Mr Richardson c Such a line of business I should think a very undesirable one ; and I should advise you to first let the revenue accrue, and then expend it. Mr Gavin : We don't wish you to to tell us we are doing wrong if we obtain ' a loan. Mr Richardson : Its not for me to tell you you are not doing wrong:. Mr Gavin : , I would be willing to lend the money to the Board myself, if actually necessary to do so, in order to obtain it. Mr Richardson : I am very favourably impressed with the desirability of acquiring the additional 40 acres of land for the Domain, and shall have no hesitation -in recommending the Native Minister to try and do so. It is quite clear it is most desirable Government should acquire the land, so that by no possibility anything may be done thereon that might affect the springs. Road to Mines : Messrs 0. A. Comes, G. <Rubson, B Cameron, W. Hetlteringttijh, --and D. J." Fi'azer next waited upon! the minister, as a deputation of minars working at and interested in the Tui district. MrCorn«s said : We 1 have now j-been working up in the Tui district for fobout three years, The, ore there is of 'a very refractory nature, and. consequently very difficult to treat.' About 20CJ ton 3 have been shipped Home from the ' Champion Lode claims. The cost of getting oro to the railway station from the-top. workings was L 3 10s per ton, am] Jjl 5s pei ton from tha lower workings. The Tui district had been well prospected, and tho.se. interested there ' now wanted ' some as*, stance from Government in the form

oE/a better road to get tq the mines. A ,road was required on the eastern side of ranges, but, in order to get that, a good road required to be first made on this side. I represent the Champion Co., who have Ll2;000 available for working .their property, and within the past week contracts iiave been let; by this Company 'Jo closo on L2OOO, for the development p their property. Very little assistance Hd been received from the local body, jOhinemuri County The English directors of the Company he represented had sanctioned the erection of an ffirial tramway, at an estimated cost of Ll5OO, if the contractor would guarantee to work it for three months, and that it would convey 50 tons of quarts per day of eight hours. At present the miiies at Tui had no chance of getttng their quartz away. Mr Cameron, replying to a question from Mr Richardson said : The distance a good road was required would be about 1£ miles, the elevation about 1300 feet. A good road was greatly needed to the Tui mines. They were likely shortly to have the opportunity of getting ore treated at the Te Aroha S. and G.M. Co.'s works. In reply to Mr Richardson, Mr Gordon (Inspecting Engineer, Mines Department), gave particulars respecting the construction *of the present horse track to these mines ; stating it was in Ohinemuri County, and a subsidy of L2OO had been given by Government towards the cost. In some places, however the grade was as steep as 1 in 4, and to form a really useful road it would have to be constructed in a different place altogether. The present < track reached an altitude of about 2200 feet in 1^ miles. M r Comes quoted some figures showing the amount of revenue that had accrued to Obinemuri County from the Tui district, and complained of the very little assistance they had given it in return. Mr Richardson : Ohinemuri County Council have been placed in a difficult position, a very difficult position. They have had very heavy liabilities to meet, and only the other day paid off the last instalment of the L2OOO Thames award. I have been with several of the members of thit Council during the last day or two, and to me they appear to very r asonable and practical men. lamin a position to offer a subsidy of £ for £ for the construction of this dray road or other rough tracks, to them, as the local body concerned in this matter, but unfor— tuna'ely I know they have no money just now to avail of it. Knowingthe present financial position of Ohinemnri County Council, I may mnke a suggestion ; although you may tliinlc it a very hard one, that is, if you could guirantee the Council to fin I ih-> money, I feel sure they will not object to apply for the subsidy, which Government \\»uM qranf. Next year, now that Ohinemuri County C inncil will be in a diffeient position, you will certainly lie fairly entitled to see that a proper expen litnre is given the gold ft eld Seeing Government hand over the whole of the cold fields revenue to the local bodies for expenditure, I think the Government, act pretty liberally fothogoldfields li'yonconld give me a rough estimate of the probable cost of making a dray road, such as yon men tion ; to this lower portion of the m'nes and can show thnt there is a probability of having the woik carried out, I would undertake on the part of the Government to have survey made for yon, as you request. It is almost needless to add the several deputations on retiring, thanked the Minister for the very patient ami courteous hearing he accorded them. Hon, Mr Richardson, accompanied by Mr Gordon, left for Waikato and Auckland by train the following (Wednesday) morning.