THE MINISTERIAL VISIT.

Thames Star, Volume XVI, Issue 5100, 22 May 1885, Page 2

THE MINISTERIAL VISIT.

Block 27.

After our report closed yesterday, a deputation, consisting of Messrs D. E. O'Sullivan, Greenville, McCormick, Wm. Wood, JV Law, and R. T. Douglas, waited upon the Minister of Mines at the Pacific Hotel. Messrs O'Sulliran and Greenville laid the grievance of the residents of Block 27 fully before Mr Larnach. They explained that they were prepared to bring all local witnesses they required for an inquiry into their case, but there were one or two important witnesses residing at a distance; would Government bring them hither? Mr Larnach suggested that these witnesses' evidence could bo taken by commission, but the deputation considered that would not afford them full opportunity of examination. Finally, Mr Lirnach consented to grant a royal commission into the cause of complaint, and to pay the.expenses of Mr Jas. Mackay, junr,, hither. Tho deputation, on behalf of the residents, gave an assurance that if they failed to establish their case, no more would be heard of the Block 27 grievance.

Low Level Prospecting.

A deputation, consisting of Messrs Thos. Dunlop, T. B. Hicks, James Coatts, G. S. Clark, H. Moore, D. H. Bayldori. and Mr J. H. Heighway, waited upon the Minister of Mines at the Court House yesterday evening. The Town Clerk introduced the deputation, and the County Chairman, the Mayor, and the County Engineer also rendered valuable assistance during the evening. Tho first matter considered was the Caledonian Low Level Prospecting Company. Mr Dunlop pointed out that that the Company had spent £70@0 in this purely prospecting work, and requested that a subsidy of £ for £be granted. To finish the scheme, about £7000 would be required. No answer was given at that time, but Ibis morning Mr Larnach informed the deputation that Government would give £300 to the County, contingent upon that body adding £150 more, and the company expending £2250. In other words, of every £100 spent by the Company, 20 per cent, could be drawn from the £450 given by Government and the County.

Diamond Drills.

Mr J.H. Heigh way brought for ward the subject of diamond drills to test lower than the present deep levels, and produced a plan of the district wbieh it was pro-

posed to test. It was suggested that the drill be in charge of iho Warden for the benefit of the field.—Mr Greenrille informed the Minister that the Government of New South Wales tad bought up the rights of the companies possessing drills in that colony, and was now boring at a ' very cheap rate for the public. An old Thames man, a Mr Wm. Henderson, was superintendent of drills, at a good salary. —Mr Larnach replied that the experience of the Government regarding diamond drills had not been encouraging. Two counties had obtained them, and in one instance at any rate were desirous of selling them at considerably less than they cost. Ife thought tho American drill, the " Tiffin " borer, which only cost about £300, might Bnswer the purpose. How* ever, he was inclined to give favorable consideration to the application, and endeavor to comply with the request of j the deputation.

Main Tunnels

Mr Bayldon brought forward the question of main tunnels on the surface, to ascertain if the Minister would grant subsidies on the pound for pound principle. He thought the Moauatairi tunnel, now in 2800 ft., might be coutinued 1000 ft. further, which wouid open up ground llOOt't, above the sea level. He estimated the cost, inclusive of expensive preparations, at about 57s per foot. Many persons were also in favor of a tunnel from the Rocky Point, on the Karaka, to the Hape Creek. Mr Larnach enquired to what extent they would expect the Government to go on the £ for £'principle. He was disposed to assist the mining industry as far as they could go, but large sums could not be expected. In order to gain a thorough knowledge of the district, he had come amongst them, and if they were moderate in their requisitions they would doubtless receive something. The defence works had caused a largely in« creased expenditure, and in order to avoid disagreeable further taxation economy must be exercised.

This morning Mr Larnach informed the deputation that if any feasible scheme of tunnelling were brought before the Government—at present there was nothing definite—at would have his advocacy.

High Level Water Race

The Town Clerk read a memorandum pointing out the need of a high level water race, as it would enable batteries to bo erected up the creeks, and low grade quartz thus rendered payable. And of equal importance was the consideration that if water were substituted for steam at the Big Pump, a saving of 75 per cent, could be effected, which would render the constant drainage of the flat a matter of certainty.—Mir Brodie pointed out that no difficulties stood in the way of carrying the scheme out. When in Wellington last session he presented resolutions of a meeting held here in favor of the work. The ratepayers ot the'district sent in a petition to the Council to take action which that body did, the proposals made could not be carried out as the law was inoperative. A special rating district bad been proclaimed, bat it was impossible under the circumstances to get a vote, of two thirds of the ratepayers as required by law. All that could be raised was £5000 which was not sufficient to carry out the work. During certain portions of the year 12 heads, nt other 6 heads, aud at the lowest 3J heads were available. The importance of the work has been.placed before Parlia' ment by Sir George Grey arid other?. We had endeavored to help ourselves, but the expense stood in the way.—Mr Larnach inquired the estimated cost?—Mr Brodie answered £20,000, and the County Council would raise a fourth of the money themselves/—Mr Larnach could see no use in coming down here without a quarter of a million. He was pleased with what he saw. In the West coast he thought he had seen everything but this district ran parallel therewith. The means of Government were limited, and he could not comply with their request unless a loan were floated for these works. He would bring the matter under the notice of his colleagues with strong support of it himself. He could not promise more than his support. He would promise a subsidy of pound for pound to £10,000 with the consent of his colleagues.—Mr Brodie : Mr Ballance almost promised the money, and the Council were nearly undertaking the work.—Mr Larnach in the course of his remarks lagged in the ever-ready stock argument of the Government that £40,000 had been granted to the Big Pump, but the Mayor smartly retorted that all that had ever been spent on the Thames by the Government was a mere bagatelle compared with what had been spent in one work down South—the Kumara Sludge Channel.—Finally, the Minister undertook to place £10,000 on the Estimates for this work.

County Applications.

Mr Brodie applied for subsidies amounting to £3280 still due out of vote for Kpads and Tracks on Goldfields, and Mr Larnach promised to look into the matter.

Be the Puviri-Tairua road, MrLarnach promised to communicate with Captain Morris to ascertain if the promise of a subsidy had been given. -.-.■■.

He also promised to pufc ; a sum for making the road to Otunui via the Hape Creek on the Estimates.

Bull's battery would be connected with the water race on the following terms, in consideration of an old unfulfilled promise : —The cost would be £350; Mr Bull to pay £150, and the Government iind County half the balance each.

Cemetery Road.

The Mayor pointed out that a subscription was got up for the Cemetery road, arid £100 collected. This, however, was not sufficient to make the road, and Major Atkiuson when he was here recommended the people to make this a special rating district. A poll bed been taken, and the people agreed to it. Major Atkinson had promised an advance, but money was not forthcoming.—Mr Larnach advised him to address a letter to the proper department in Wellington, and he would support it.

OMnsmim Agriculture! Settlers

Colonel Fraser said : When he was Warden, Government granted certain settlers sections at Ohinemuri at certain rents, with a promise that when Government acquired the freehold of the land they would hare an opportunity of put* ting the settlers in possession of their freeholds. The question would be brought before the Minister on his route, and he wished that the Minister should clearly understand the position. It would be fair to Rive those people their lands under the Homesteads Act for nothing, with a reservation that should the land prove auriferous a right of entry remained, The

land was very poor, and many of the settlors bad paid up. to 10s in rent. —Mr Lirnach said the matter had his sympathy, and if he could do anything to» wards getting the settlers the freehold he would.

Drainage

Mr Brodie advocated aid to drainage. He thought Government should assist the Pump being kept going, as it benefitted the whole district, and besides was of colonial importance. Mr Kenrick, by request, gave his views on drainage. He suggested a drainage area over which rates may be struck, and a Drainage Board. The cost of drainage should be partially borne by owners, of ground, as rents have to be paid whether mines are payable or not. The rents paid were uigh, £3 an acre.

Mr Larnach did not see how the Government could be asked to do much in this matter. Any further con-l'-i til lion would have to be asked from liie House, and he did not think the House would listen to it. The demands: made by this district on the Government wero so outrageously large that it would not be justice to the district or himself to hold out any great hopes of them being granted. First they were asked to bring water into this place, and now they were wanted to bring it out. He thought for its prosperity, a supply of water for industrial purposes would help them towards prosperity. If rating power were required, the County and Borough might draw .up proposals a'ld for* ward them to Government. The Thames was by no means neglected. He could mention rich districts which had been totally overlooked. He thought if he could manage the other matters talked over he would do very well for them, but he could not see this pump business. Local government measures would be brought forward, and facilities given to local bodies to carry on their works. Mr Brodie returned thanks to Mr | Larnach for the consideration given and promises made for the benefit of the district.

Mr Larnach thanked him for the kindly feeling. He was much interested, and had gathered useful information, which would be utilised. He would assist the mining industry generally, and would not neglect to fulfil any promise made.

This morning the Minister visited the Eocky Point road, and in response to a request that he should recommend a grant in aid of the formation of the road, he replied that the matter was not in his department; it was a district road, and could not be'placed under the list of gold* fields roads and tracks. He also inspected Price Bros', foundry, and showed some interest in the model of a quartz crushing machine there. The party left for Ohinemuri about one o'clock this afternoon, accompanied by Messrs Kenrick (Warden), Cadman, and others.