OUR REPRESENTATIVES IN PARLIAMENT.

Inangahua Times, Volume II, 20 July 1881, Page 2

OUR REPRESENTATIVES IN PARLIAMENT.

. « (From Hansard) Mr Weston asked the Minister of Mines and Lands, whether he will recom» mend that special provision be made for the formation of a track from Hampden, through the Matnkitaki, into the Marawhea, and from thence to Reefton, and also a track from the Marawbea through Cannibal Gorge, to the Waiau .Road at Glennwys, so that direct overland communication between Christchurch and Reefton may be completed f The first of the two tracks, about twenty-five miles in length, would open up good grass land, fifteen miles by two, and a great deal of auriferous country. The second track referred to, about thirty miles in* length, would ran from Mara* whea through Cannibal Gorge, the Waiau, and connect witfe^he ChmtcliHT»bline of railway at Hurunui. It seemed to him (Mr Westoo) that everything should be done to Gonnect the inland towns with the centres of population, and in that way to promo' c settlement and the development of our vast resources. He trusted the matter would receive the favourable consideration of the Government. Mr Rolleston replied that the Government had this question under consideration, but at the present time be was unable to anticipate what would be the final decision of the Government. He might say the Government recognized that the construction of these tracks was a question that deserved very careful consideration. Mr Reeves asked the Minister of Mines, if it is intended to take any steps to extinguish the fire in the coiUseam in Seventeen Mile Beach, now burning for several years ? For tbe last three sessions he bad been in the habit of asking this question. One session he got a reply to the effect that Dr Hector reported that the coal was not of much value, and that consequently tbe Go* vernment did not see their way to recommend a vote for the purpose of extinguishing the fire. Daring the recess he made it his business tc make inquiry as to the value of the coal, and he learned that it was equal in value to any other coal in the district. Tbe fire bad now been burning for some years. In the day-time smoke could always be seen rising over tbe hill ; and at night time, while going along the coast, tbe flame could be seen. The fire must be destroying hundreds of thousands of tons yearly. At present the loss of so much coal might not be important ; but a bundred years hence the loss would be very severely felt. Some time ago a party of miners offered, for £200, to bring in water and to dam the gully for tbe purpose of putting out the fire, the offer being "no cure, no pay," TLat offer had not been accepted, and he was afraid it would cost more than three times that amount to extinguish the fire sow. He trusted tbe Minister of Mines would be able to say that steps would be taken to pat a stop to this waste of really valuable property. Mr Ilollcston was sorry be could not give the honorable gentlemen the answer he desired. The face was that he had not had tbe subject brought under bis notice since he had been in charge of the de» partment until he saw the honorable gentleman's question on tbe Order Paper that morning. It would be in the recollection of tbe House that last year a statement was made that the coal was not worth the expense of putting the fire out. He had no further knowledge of the matter, but would make inquiries. Mr Weston asked the Postmaster* General, whether the Government will make provision for an overland mail service from Nelson to Eeefton via Hampden and the Lyell p In face of the uncertainty which existed in the communication between Nelson and Westport by sea, the inland postal service now asked for was of importance. Tbe mails could be conveyed to Reefton in two days. At times it wonld he found that Westport letters wouJd, by the overland route, reach their destination sooner than by sea. To Hampden a eoach was already running ; from Hampden to the Lyell the road was nearly completed j and from thence to Reefton and Westport respectively a bi-weekly mail coach was established Mr Johnston replied that, as tbe honorable gentleman had stated, there was already an overland mail service for the greater part of the distance—that was to say, from Nelson to Hampden. The Government had made inquiries ns to when the road for the remainder of the distance would be completed, and they were informed that it would be finished in about one month. As soon as the road was opened for traffic the Government would make inquiries as to the terms upon which they could obtain an extension of the service from Nelson right through, and if the terms were moderate they would establish the service.