Cite: http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article10094353

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WEST COAST NOTES.  

ZEEHAN.

(From Our Own Correspondent.)

When on the West Coast last week the Minister of Lands went into the somewhat vexed question of timber cutting on the Gordon River. He was   interviewed at Strahan by representa-

tives of the timber industry, and also had conversations with members of the

Western Tasmanian and Lyell Tourist

Associations. As the result the Gor- don district will probably be, by Act of Parliament, converted into a national park, and the cutting of timber will be prohibited within 10 chains of the river. This distance, it is thought, will be ample to protect the scenic beauties of the forest, as viewed from the river,

for even outside the reserve firewood- getters will not be allowed to operate anywhere in the vicinity. Mr. H. Grining, of Grining Bros., when Minis- ters were up the river on Friday last, pointed out several localities where it was intended to operate on celery top and Huon pine. All of these were up gullies or behind hills, which would en- tirely prevent them from being seen from the river, and no possible eye- sore would be made. The avenues leading to the river would be carefully made under Government supervision, and would not be noticeable to excur-

sionists unless very carefully looked for. Several existing avenues of this de- scription were pointed out by Mr. Grin- ing. Altogether the arguments of the

timber men were convincing, and little fear is felt by anyone that harm will be done to the Gordon scenery.

The success of the Garrett patent engines on the North-East Dundas tramway has led to quite a number of others being brought into the Com-   monwealth. Less than a year ago Mr. Hume, Chief Mechanical Engineer of West Australian Railways, visited Zee- han with the specific object of inspect- ing the working of those engines. As a result of his investigation the West Australian Government has purchased six of the engines of a 3ft 6in. gauge. The Tasmanian Government Railway Department is also showing its satisfac- tion by purchasing two more for use on the Main line. These will be power- ful engines of 90 tons weight, and will be used for the express trains.

A start has been made to survey al-   ternative routes for tramway connec- tion between Zeehan and Stanley River, and probably the railway resident en- gineer will have completed his flying surveys, and be able to report on the respective routes. The subsequent ac- tion of the Government in construct- ing the tramway will, doubtless, de- pend upon the manner in which the   Stanley River tin field develops.

The West Coast Progressive League deputation literally bombarded Minis- ters with subjects for consideration last week. There were 13 all told. Prob-    

ably some of them will stick in the minds of Ministers, but surely it was something of a surfeit. "One thing at a time" may not be rigidly applic- able in this instance, but it is better to concentrate effort on one or two matters most urgently needed, and when these have been satisfactorily dealt with, to bring forward the next.

QUEENSTOWN.

Neither the Minister for Mines (Hon. A. E. Solomon) nor the Minister for Lands (Hon. Alec. Hean) can be charg- ed with failing to endevour to obtain a close acquaintance with the West Coast generally, and the Lyell district in particular. Both Ministers spent close on a week in the latter place, and during that time saw all that was worth seeing, and made every effort to become conversant with the conditions obtain-   ing. Of course, deputations were the

order of the day, and the representa- tives of the Government had to listen to a good many expressions of views. The first, and perhaps the most import- ant, deputation was from the West Coast Progressive League, and that body submitted no less than thirteen requests, but as some of them had a close relation to each other they were not so very difficult to dispose of. Some of them had no application to Lyell at all, and need not, therefore, be here referred to in any way. For instance, there was the suggestion that fortnight- ly pay be made compulsory in mines,

but, as nearly everybody knows, the

wages at Lyell have always been hand- ed out every second week. One of the most important suggestions put forward    

was the probable benefits that would   accrue from a geological survey being     made of both the Mount Jukes and Mount Darwin mineral fields, which are believed to contain some rich ore de- posits. The Minister's answer was not a definite one, in so far as having the survey actually made, but he showed he was in sympathy with the proposal, and said it would be asertained if it   was possible to arrange for Mr. Twelve- trees, the Government Geologist, to per- form the work asked for. Tracks and their upkeep were also discussed, and

interviewer and interviewed were at one in their views. The Minister recog- nised that the cutting of a track from a point on the North Lyell railway out to the Frenchman's Cap would render a promising mineral region accessible, and he promised to give it favourable con- sideration. The deputation from the

Progressive League also signified that

it was supporting the Great Western Railway proposals, but on this the Min-

ister could not say much, since it was a matter of policy for the Government, but he alluded to the fact that railway extension was being furthered by ob- taining reports on the Tyenna district. When the deputation had concluded its business, the Minister for Lands said he was pleased to know that there was a West Coast Progressive League formed, because he thought that by uniting the people would be better benefited. It also might happen, he said, that at times the Government might require and be glad of any advice that the league might tender, as being of gen- eral benefit to the West Coast, and possibly to the State as a whole.  

The members of the Queenstown Chamber of Commerce also took the opportunity to wait on the Minister for Agriculture (Hon. Alec. Hean) and dis- cuss a few matters with him. The one of most public interest was the pointing

out that the Lyell district is made the dumping ground of very inferior pota- toes and fruit, and that some action was necessary to ensure importers re-   ceiving a better article. Most of the fruit, it should be explained, comes from Melbourne to Burnie, and from   there comes on by train to Queens- town. Being perishable the utmost expedition has to be prartised, so that fruit put on the boat in Melbourne on Friday morning reaches Queenstown on Saturday night. This means that the fruit has to go almost immediately from the steamer to the train, and very little time is given for inspection at the port of delivery (Burnie). Inspection takes place at Queenstown, and whole con- signments are often condemned, but, while this means that the importer is not liable for the article sent to him, yet he cannot get any return of his railway freights. The Minister for Agriculture grasped the situation in a few minutes and saw the difficulties that had to be overcome. The only solution he sees is to have arrangements for a thorough and prompt inspection at Burnie and to secure this being done it is quite possible that an assistant in- spector will he appointed at that port.

The nineteenth annual conference of A.M.E.A. delegates has concluded, after sitting for three days and three nights, with here and there a short adjourn- ment. During that period the 63 men who came to sit at the miners' parlia- ment were shown every hospitality by the Queenstowners, and every little thing done that could be done to make the visitors forget they were away from   home. That they appreciated these kindnesses they made evident, and at every opportunity that offered they ac- knowledged the general warmth of their welcome. Their final appreciation came at the conclusion of the Gordon River trip, which was a most delightful out- ing, and one that will be remembered. The day was gloriously fine, the utmost good feeling prevailed, and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves to the full.   The Minister for Lands and the Minis- ter for Mines, accompanied by a small party, were on board, and all fraternis- ed with each other and discussed various questions or exchanged views while they admired the scenery along the grand stream. The Victorians were very en- thusiastic, and spoke as if they would never grow tired of praising the beau- ties of the West Coast and its hospitable people.  

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