LOCAL WORKS.

Clutha Leader, Volume XLI, Issue 41, 4 December 1914, Page 5

LOCAL WORKS.

E INFERRED TO BY MR MALCOLM. In his address at Balclutha on Tuesday night, Mr Malcolm said he first wished to speak of local matters, regarding railways, roads and bridges. When elected nine years ago the Catlins railway was built as far as Catlins River, and the progress of the work was at the rate of a half mile a year; if that rate had been continued to the present the line would be by now extended 4i miles further on. During his term of office the railway had been rapidly pushed on and now it had reached the terminus at Tahakopa. It was hardly necessary for him to say that the advantages to Catlins and Balclutha districts through the completion of this work were inconceivable. (Applause.) Regarding roads in Catlins, he was satisfied to say that 110 man could have devoted himself more earnestly than he had to the needs of Catlins in this respect. This last year he had been successful in getting £27,000 placed 011 the Estimates-for grants for his electorate, and the bulk of that amount went to Catlins. Also, the Government had treated Balclutha in an extremely generous way. First of all there was the protective embankment, and the Government's he*p in this connection would give the townspeople the assurance that the town would in future be secure from flood. In addition to that the Government had extended the traffic bridge in order to reduce the danger of damage by flood, and had also granted the request for a footway. He had every reason to be pleased with the way*Balclutha had been treated. — (Applause.) THE [TP-RIVER. RAILWAY.

Ho now come to another matter, in which Balclutha was interested, ami that was the railway to Tuapeku Mouth. For the first time a sum had been placed on the Hatimates for this railway. He had played almost a lone hilnd in working for the line. He had, however, never .interfered with the engineers as to the route. He had asked the Government to have Hying surveys made of other routes —from 'Clinton for instance, and one across country to Pomahaka Downs, but the engineers had reported in favor of the Balelutha-Tuapeka Mouth route. Jt, was recognised that a railway, up the valley would pay hand- • somely, and while one side of the river | would' benefit more than the othei it should be possible to bridge the river in one or two places without adding greatlv to the total cost. He was highly impressed with the valley from the first time he had seen it, and the North ; Island members who inspected it a short time ago had the same impression, and agreed that it was worthy of a railway, J and one after another had come- to hini after the railway had been provided for I and congratulated him on the fact that : the district had received the rccognt- ] tion which it deserved, They considereel the valley the finest district they had seen. Even political opponents had spoken favorably regarding the railway* Sir Joseph Ward himself a few year# ago, in reply to an offer from settlers to guarantee payment of 4 per e&ttt on the cost of construction had said, "Thank 'you for nothing, gentlemen; everyone knows that the railway will pay." Also, the Hon. K. McKenzie had stated that the valley was one of the finest districts in ' New Zealand. Mr Malcolm went on to say that he considered it was rather odd that he should be called on to defend this railway in Balclutha. (Applause.) As representative of Clutha he had done his best to push the project along, and he thought that no one could be blind to the advantages which will accrue to Balclutha through the railway being built—(Applause.) He was sure that in time to come Balclutha. would be one of the most important towns in Otago, and as representative it was his duty once the engineers had decided on the route to see that whatever advantages could be secured for Balclutha shall be secured. (Hear, hear.) One reason why he would be sorry to see the Ward party get iuto office again was that if that party was put into power this railway would not be proceeded with. He had the assuiance of the Minister of Public Works that.the work of building the line to , Tuapeka Mouth would be started almost at once, There was some dif--1 Acuity in preparing detail plans on account of the first four miles or so but Mr Fraser was always as good as his word, and they could rest ' assured that he would go on with this railway as early as possible. (ApLplause.), I Mr Malcolm then proceeded to deal 1 with general politics as wporte.d else-