THE MINISTERIAL VISIT.

Inangahua Times, Volume II, Issue II, 22 March 1880, Page 2

THE MINISTERIAL VISIT.

» Nelson to Geeymotjth Boad. Mr Gallagher said he desired to bring under the notice of the Minister, tbe question of the completion of the through line of road from Beefton to Nelson. Although the colony stood pledged to carry out the Nelson and Brnnnerton tailway, people here regarded tbe completion of that undertaking as very remote, and under these circumstances it was very desirable that the road between the limits named should be opened for coach traffic. For this purpose a further grant would be required for the completion of the road in the Upper Buller district, and also for bridging Larry's Creek, the Left-hand Branch of the Inangahua, also at the. Junction and Lyell. The Minister said if he lived in Beefton he had no doubt he should feel upon tbe subject just as the people here did, but he was afraid it wascquite out of the Ministry's power to bold out immediate bope of the works being undertaken. In the matter of railways, the deputation was probably aware that a Boyal Commission had been appointed, which was now sitting. The Commission would shortly visit tbe West Coast, and their report upon railways generally would have yery great influence with the Go* vernment in regard to the future of tbe Publio Works Policy. The inhabitants here would he duly informed of the movements of tbe Commission,' and upon its arrival on the West Coast it would be the duty of the people here, as elsewhere, to bring all possible facts to the knowledge of the Commissioners. Wit b regard to the principal bridges referred to, he thought some solution of the present financial difficulties of the Minis* try would bave to be arrived at before these works could be undertaken. People were, no doubt, aware that the "revefiue of the colony was failing disas* trously, and the chances were that it would be some time before it could be placed upon a sound footing. There was no doubt that next session they would have to face a very serious deficit, and would probably bave to cast about lor other sources of revenue. Mr Gallagher said as the Nelson railway would take, at the present rate of progress, something like seventeen or twenty years to carry it through, the prospects of the work were too distant to encourage settlement here. If, however, the principal rivers on tbe route were bridged, connection would be established between Beefton and Nelson, and there would be a strong encouragement for people to take up the land and bnild per raanent homes. Between Ileefton and Greymoutb all the risers with two exceptions were bridged, whereas northwards of Beefton, in tho . direction of Lyell, there was not a single bridge. Of equal importance was the question of granting assistnnce towards supplying the alluvial goldfields of the Inangahua with water for sluicing purposes, and this was a question which he wished to seriously impress upon the Minister. He would like to ascertain wbether tbere was any sum on the Estimates out of which Government could grant such assistance. The Minister said there was no sucb vote. There was a vote for the mains tenance and continuation of existing races, but no vote for other works of the kind. Mr Gallagher pointed out that in the Inangahua there was an area of ground extending for 18 or 20 miles northwards wbich would undoubtedly pay for sluic* ing could water be conveyed on to the ground at a sufficient elevation. Mnch of the ground was at present being worked, but as miners where wholly dependent upon the rainfall they were idle half their time, whereas if fully supplied wiitb. water their earnings waul I be doubled or trebled, and thousands of men find work. There were two rivers, the water from either of whioh could be brought in at only a tithe of the cost of the Waimea and Hoehstetta races. All the people would ask at the hands of the-Govem-jnent would be a subsidy at. the rate of pound for pound. The Minister said that eighteen months ago money was plentiful, and at that time these schemes ought to hare bad attention, but in the present condition of the Colony, and particularly in the face of the experience gained of the results achieved by the Waimea and Hockstetta undertaking, be could hardly bold out

any hope. The races named were not earning 1 per cent, and there appeared to be no prospect whatever of recovering the orieinal outlay. Mr Beeves remarked that the argument could be applied with equal force to many of our railways. The Minister agreed that it was so. Mr Masters pointed oni that water* races had enormous collateral advantages, as they gaye employment to large numbers of men, and increased the gold Yield. The Minister admitted water-race undertakings were very valuable in regard to their indirect results. Mr Gallagher said that the Waimea snd Hoehstetta races ought not to be taken as a guide, as it was notorious that the same undertakings if carried out by private enterprise could have been completed at one-third of the sum they cost the country. M r Beeves said that at the rate of a £ for £ subsidy, the cost of the works sng* gested would be comparatively light, while the advantages would be enormous. The Minister said that in the present impecunious state of the Colony he could hold out no promise, but if the prospects of success were as good as represented, miners should combine to carry ont the works privately. Mr Gallagher said the miners in the district had already been exhausted in carrying on private undertakings, and were left without the means for further combination. If a subsidy were granted they would be quite prepared to give the Government a mortgage over the race, and accept the subsidy as a loan. Minister ! Yes ; but I am afraid that is a matter for the future. Mr Beeves said the Government forgot tbat the mining industry contributed one fifth of the total export value of the Colony, and quite ignored the importance of that industry. It was tbe mining industry that had made New Zealand. Mr M'Gaffin pointed out that although the larger races had not paid, there was good reason to believe that smaller works of the kind, subsidised only to the extent of £ for £, and carried out under private supervision, would yield a direct profit uji. on the amount invested. The discussion then dropped. Lakd Boabds. The County Chairman referred to the necessity of bringing the machinery for the admistration of Waste Lands more within tbe reach of the inhabitants, eithpr by adding to the functions of the County Council, or by the establishment ot a local Land Board. He enumerated a number of cases illustrating tbe evils of the existing system. The Minister said he fully recognised tbat some alteration was required, for if tbe representations which had been made to him, not only in Beefton, but elsewhere in the Provincial District, were true s there was great need for immediate reform. He would consider the matter and see what could be done. In the i meantime be invited the inhabitants who I had any grievance to complain ot to communicate with him. Thts concluded the business, and the deputation having thanked the Minister for the patient hearing accorded, then withdrew.