HON. W. H. HERRIES.

Press, Volume XLIX, Issue 14665, 14 May 1913, Page 12

HON. W. H. HERRIES.

VISIT TO THE WEST COAOT.

DEPUTATIONS ON THE WAY

On Monday.morning the Hon. W. H. Herrics, Slinister of Railways, accompanied by Messrs G. Witty, W* J ■Dickie, G. J* Anderson, T. \. feeddon, and R- Scott, members of the House «? Representatives, left Christchurch to inspect the Springfield and Whitedig., lines and to meet various deputations the Slinister nnd Siessrs Scddon. and Anderson afterward.-, proceeding to tho West Coast, where Sir Herrics will make an Exhaustive inspection of the railway system. Messrs Witty and Dic'-ia accompanied the Ministerial party as far as Bealey Flat, and returned by the evening tram. \CCOMMODATIOX SHED FOR AYLESBURY. U Avlesbury. Sir Witty introduced n d'-pntation. which put be|oro tn*. a request that additional accommodation 'should be provided Jor the entraining ot «ock. X w»> pointed out that a considerable amount of tracking was now done at the Ration, and that th* wore inadequate to cope with the busi-

Ri-plving. Sir Hcrries .aid he was Mti'fied as to tho reasonableness of the request, and promised that tho wor.s thoidd be put in hand as soon as possible. DARFIELD DISTRICT HIGH SCHOOL. At Darfield. Sir Witty introduced a deputation, which asked that part of the land under the control ot the Department should bo set asido for the use of the D'st.ict High School for planting purposes. If the required permission were granted, the_ committee promised to exere-isc every earo in conservinc the interests of the Department, and to T>lant the space (.ranted with shrubs. It wi> s a-«o stated that tho Malvern County Council had undertaken .to form a crescent road round tho block, providinc the Department would r.l.ico a ri**<r fence- round it. In reply, the Sliir'rtor asked that the dermtation should pi nee it*- reonests in writing, nnd be promised that it would receive his careful consideration. GOODS TRAIN WANTED. Th/> deputation further f.skcd thnt the Department should place .. goods train on tho T) nrficld-Whitwliffs branch, so fis to cope w-ith tho mcc re* sod traffic.

Mr Herrics promised that tho request of tho deputation should receive his'careful consideration. INCREASED PLATFORSI ACCOSISIODATION.. On reaching Racecourse Hill Sir Witty introduced another deputation, which pointed out to the Slinister tho uri.ewt neenl for increased platform and stock trucking accommodation, ar.d asked that improvements should be «ffecfed in tho station yard, and that the floor of tho goods shod should be ro-floored. Tho Slinister promised that iho first threo requests should bo attended to as early as practicable, but expressed a fear that it might bo necessary to defer tho re-flooring of the goods shed. GOODS SHED WANTED. At Waddington a deputation, introduced by Sir Witty, asked that improvements should bo effected in tho station yard, also that a loading baflk and goods shed should bo erected. The Slinister promised that ho would givo instructions that tho yard improvements should bo T>ut in hand and also the loading bank, but ho was unable to sco his way to promise a goods shed at present. ' COSIPLAINT AGAINST PUBLIO WORKS DEPARTSIENT. At Coalgate, tho member for tho district, Mr W. J. Dickie, introduced a deputation, which asked that improvements should bo effected in tho station yard. and also complained that tho Public. Works Department was at present monopolisiing a considerable amount of space in tho goods shed, to tho detriment of the general public, the shed being at present practically filled with material awaiting transport to Lake Coleridge. Tho deputation also asked that a carriage with conveniences, should be placed on the Darfield-Whitocliffs lino.

In reply, Mr Horrios promised that the matters brought, nntlor his notice by the deputation should receive careful consideration on his return to Wellington. STOCK YARD ACCOSIMODATION. At Annat Mr Dickie introduced a deputation, which asked that additional stook yard should bo provided, ns at present it was altogether inadequate for requirements. It was also pointed out that the station accommodation was poor, and that improvements wore urgently needed. » The Minister said that a noto had boon mado of tho requests brought before him, all of which would bo duly considered lator on, and he would communicate with tho deputationists later. STATION IMPROVEMENTS AT KOWAI. At Kowai a deputation,-introduced by Sir Dickie, asked for improvements to tho station and station yard, nono of which were in keeping with the importance of the locality. In reply, Mr Herrics said the reasonableness of the requests had appealed to him, and he thought he was likely to meet the wishes of the deputation.

(_B___3 ASSOCIATION TKLECnAU.)

HOKITIKA, May 13. Th© Hon. W. H. Herrics arrived in Hokitika this afternoon, and after a short stay prooeeded to iloss. On his return in the evening ho received a number of deputations in regard to 'looal requirements, and was afterwarels entertained' at a social and dance t>y tho Westland branch of the New Zealand Political Reform League. Tho function attracted a very large gather-

iflg* The Minister leaves to-morrow morning, and process to Kumara, and themes© to Greymouth.