THE HON. J. A. MILLAR AT WESTPORT

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 514, 22 May 1909, Page 7

THE HON. J. A. MILLAR AT WESTPORT

' 7 :■ HARBOUR IMPROVEMENT. MATTERS. (bi msGßifH—mess association.) . Wcstport, May 21, The Hon. J. A. Millar, Minister for Kail* ways and Marino, inspected'tho WoatportMok&inui line yesterday, and, at Ngakawau, was entertained at dinner by the Stockton Coal Company.. Several deputations were re/ ooived, tho Minister stating to one. that the vVestport Harbour Board, if it had any surplus revenue, should reduce its haulage 'charges on coal,' as coal ~ranst be made cbcapar/in order to compote successfully against 'outside trado. " The development of the harbour, ,80 as to make it possible to ship ooail kl large vessdsto foreign markets, was the first consideration, however. Incident ally the' Minister mentioned that local bodies must not think that, they were going to havo | unlimited borrowing powers, as the Government was determined to exercise greater care in granting permission to barrow. ' : Oa his return to town, the Minister met several deputations, including one from a public meeting urging , that the Harbour Board should get,#6-.advice of one of the best authorities in works as to'the possible improvement of the port beforo the £20,600 of .loan money-was expended. Tho Minister stated that he would first have a report from the Mr. Holmes. In the evening tno Minister was entertained by a largo and-representative gatlierjng.; Tho majority; of tho speeches emphasised the desire for harbour improvements to make" a foreign market' possible, and bo lead to tho development of tho extensive coalbearing areas in tne vicinity of the VestportRftefton railway. The Minister left for. Nelson, this after-