RAILWAY STATIONS.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 808, 4 May 1910, Page 3

RAILWAY STATIONS.

AND OTHER PUBLIC BUILDINGS. PEEMIEE INTERVIEWED. (By Telccraph—Preag Association.! Christchurch, May 3. The Prime Minister, who passed through Christchurch this morning on his way south, was seen by a "Press" representative, but Sir Joseph remarkad that as regards subjects of political importance he intended dealing with them in his speech at Winton, and did not wish to anticipate matters. Reference was made to tho fear expressed in Auckland that the vice-regal mansion there is to be dismantled. Sir Joseph that itie fear was groundless. He explained that after the fire at Parliament House, and tho consequent utilisation of Government House in Wellington for Parliamentary purposes, tho furniture from tho Governor's residence was sent: to Auckland, and it was now being returned to Wellington to be used in the new Government House there. The idea that the Government intended talcing anything from -Auckland was entirely erroneous; nothing of the kind was contemplated or suggested. References made by members of a deputation which waited on him in connection with the necessity for proceeding with the work: of erecting a building wherein the different Government Departments in this city are to be housed; to the unsuitability of the sites selected for receiving homes in Christchurch, and to the necessity for an improved post office and railway station accommodation, drew from Sir Joseph some interesting expressions of opinion.

As to the receiving homes sites, he said that the social work done by the Government was greater than the most sanguine supporter of that work ever contemplated. He emphasised the fact that during the time he has been a Minister sites for public buildings had been secured well ahead of requirements, with profitablo results to the Dominion. By the acquisition (ten years ago) of land adjoining the Wellington Post Office, he estimated that ■SICO.OM was saved to the country. As to the Dunedin railway station—. Mr. T. E. Taylor, M.P.: It is a work of art. • The Prime Minister: The amount of gross misrepresentation about it was appalling. Foundations had been laid twenty years ago by the Atkinson Government for a station which was to take the place of tho wooden building on what was regarded as a most unsuitable site. It was afterwards. found to be- not in the best place, and the, new station could not consequently be . erected on it. As to tho. allegations of the luxuiiousness of' the . present railway station at Dunedin, he said that the total cost was ,£16,000. A private company in Wellington- had been spending .£60,000 to provide office accommodation, and throughout the Dominion similar expenditure was' being made by other firms. What had been done (and what ion tho face of it was grossly wrong from the public standpoint) was that the cost of the reconstruction of the station yard had been, for political purposes, added to the cost of the station, which had been, in consequence, magnified. ,In tho cases of Christchurch, Wellington, and Auckland an expenditure to a similar amount would be necessary .before the railway stations of thoso cities would bo right. On the' arrival of the steamer train from Lyttelton this morning the Prime Minister was interviewed on the railway station platform by a deputation representing the" Industrial Association and Chamber of . Commerce. OA the subject of the new. Government Buildings for Christchurch, Sir Joseph Ward, in replying, expressed his pleasure at receiving the deputation, and said'that the- matter brought under his notice already had" received ' attention. The position was' that'plans and: specification!, had been ready for some time, but as a matter of policy it was considered advisable to hold over the work (as was done elsewhere in. the Dominion), on the assumption that, in. the event; of a period of unemployment, work could bo provided without creating, it. ' Instructions were given some time ago that the timbering for the work was to commence. He himself had selected the site, and some time ago recommended w the Cabinet to acquire it. The .building to be erected would be a good block in every possible way, arid ho hoped before long that-the building, would ■be erected. It would probably .take twelve months, to complete. } ': A question was asked if. sir Joseph could give any idea of the estimated cost of the building. ', The Prime Minister replied that he could not talk about that, as they desired people to tender for the work, and thus exercise their ingenuity in the matter of cost. From examination of the plans and specifications they would see that everything was. fully for, and that the work would be done in good iteplying to Mr. T. E. Taylor, M.P., Sir Joseph said that in all probability tenders for the work would be called for within the month.