THE OPUNAKE RAILWAY.

Evening Post, Volume LXXII, Issue 67, 17 September 1906, Page 6

THE OPUNAKE RAILWAY.

DEPUTATION TO THE MINISTER. „S D +- ° f i" ie J >tr . on B e6fc most repre-££&-£'ass? as. ■& urged the justice and yy 0 0 ' f t)l0 Government undertaking the immediate construction of the lonVpromffopu* nake-Eltham railway line. The deputation was twenty strong, and include! representative men from all parts of Taranaki, including three chairmen of county councilft and iEMsn Maj M , M.H 8., and at° Hoa ; W. C. F. Cam'cross, -m!I.C M«sm. Major and Dudley (chairman of the Opunako Railway League) voiced the claims of the deputation. It ' waa pointed out that the district through which the line would pass was fertile and populous, and the lino would act as a feeder to tho Mam Inmk Railway. If it was a matter of money that was causing delay, said Mr. Dudley, Taranaki would find the money for ite construction. 'Replymg the Minister told the deputation, as he had told previous deputations this year, that the Government intended devoting Itself to finishim-- the most important lines first, before undertaking others, and urged Taranaki to j have natience. It would be, better for that province to wait for four or five years, and then get grants of £50,000 a year for tho Opunake line, than to get (as> thfe deputation wanted) an authorisation this year and driblets of £10,000 a year. Tho line would cost from £140,000 to £150,000, and fourteen or | fifteen yeara would be the period of waiting if the present wish of Taranaki was granted, an, against seven years if patience was observed. As to the offei to provide money for tho work, there had been precedents for 6uch a procedure, and if the deputation would make that offer in writing, he would place it before the Cabinet. The Minister promised to furnish details as to surveys and estimated cost as soon cs they were ready. »Vhen the deputation was leaving, Mr. Dudley eaid to the Minister: " I can't thank you for what you give us, but I thank you for receiving us. We must battlo away for seven years or until you make a start !" The Chief Justice will return from Falmerston North on Wednesday and remain in Wellington until ihis day week, when ho will leave for Napier to preside at the criminal sittings there Mr. Henry TV Power, paymaster of the Ninth New Zealand Contingent, died in Auckland last week. 'Die match, Maroro (Wanganui) Golf Club v. Karori Club, took place on Saturday. Nine games \yero played (hole play), and the Karori team won eight. The holo won by Howarth (Maroro), who boa* Uould one up, was keenly contested. The Maroro Club team was not fully represented, several of its best players being unable to got away. Mr. Izard this afternoon introduced to the Minister of Labour a deputation of master tobacconists, who asked that some provision should be made to compel Chinese shopkeepers who bold tobacco, etc., to close at 8 o'clock, the hour when the tobacconists closed. Messrs. Batkin, Berman, and other speakers s-iid that since the tobacconists had closed at 8 p.m., the Chinese shopkeepers had largely stocked tobacco, cigarettes, etc., and sold these things after the tobacconists had closed. Would the Minister introduce an amendment ot the Shops Act, or would the Labour Department bring a tesfc case against Chinamen who were as much tobacconists as were the members of tho deputation? The Hon. Mr. Millar replied that, in view of the coming down of tho Land Bill, thure might not be much chance of other legislation going through this session. But he had several amendments of the Shops and Offices Act already in preparation, anrt if there was no other way of settling the trouble mentioned by the deputation, he would have a clause drafted for inclusion in the amending Bill. The Minister promised to consult tho Crown Law OHice with the object of seeing whether the Labour Department would have a good case in proceeding against Chinose who were tobacconists. In connection with tho fourth anniversary celebrations of the V.M.C.A. in tho Town Hall next Thursday, which arc liksly to attract a farge gathering, a number of young men attended nt tfie rooms on Sunday afternoon, and listen- ; od to an address by the Rev. Chas. Porter. An opportunity was taken at the "strangers' tea," which followed, of welcoming back to Wellington Mr. W. Roes Jones, who for the past eighteen month* hae been travelling in England nnd America, and of saying good-bye to Messrs. R. Armstrong and W. J. Cody, who" an© leaving for Eketahuna and Patea respectively. Mr H. E. Lcighton announces a sale of horses to bo held at Talbot's shoeing forge, Victoria-street, noxt Wednesday at 2 o'clock. ' ' Mr. James Moore, seamen's missioner, will give the next of the Public Library lectuics in St. Thomas's Schoolroom on Thursday. Tho subject he hn6 chosen is "Chanties," or sea songs. As Mr. Moore may be considered an export on this subject, and aslie intends to introduce musical illustrations, as an interesting lecture may bo expected. Mossra. Townscnd and Paul, Limited, advcrtiso particulars of a sale of unclaimod goods for Monday, Ist October, at 11 o clock. Thoso goods will be sold on tho wharf on account of tho Harbour Board. Messrs. Sidoy, Meocli and Co. draw altontion to their clearing salo of tho balnnco of slock of Miriam Cohen, by order of tho Oflicinl Assigneo, to-morrow at 2 p.m. Mossrs. Macdonald, Wilson and Co. will coll to-morrow, at 1.30 o'clock, at tho ro3i donco ot Mrs. F. ,7. Wilson, No. 51, Tina-kori-road, tho Wholo of her household fur-tut-o, oto., as detailed in the advertisement To-morrow, at 1.30 o'clock", Mossrs. W. n Morrah and Co. will soil by pubho auction in thoir rooms, Willis-street, by order of tho Public Trustee, tho furniture and appointment of a gentleman's residonco ; and on Wednesday, at 2 o'clook, tho contonU of a oix-roomod liouso will bo roI'J on tho promised, Dovon-slroot. Full details will bo found in our advertising columns. Tenders aro invit. d for Ilio right of tea rooms within tho Exhibition buildings. Vartioulari are advert!*.^

A sitting of the Supreme Court in Chambers will be held next Friday. The Chief Justice will preside. The Health Department this afternoon, in the Magistrate's Court, prosecuted D. P. Matthews for having on 29th August offered for sale to Edmund Carroll two tins of lard that were unfit for human consumption. C. A. Schaeur, of the Health. Department, deposed to having found the lard at Carrollls confectionery shop, Willis-street. It was, he said, in a "etinkigg condition." Dr. Makgill, Chief Health Officer, gave similar evidence, and added that Mr. Carroll had refused to buy the lard from the defendant. Mr. Riddell, S.M., ordered the lard to be destroyed, and fined the defendant 40s, with £3 14s costs. Mr. Myers appeared for the Health Department. His Excellency tho Governor has accepted the invitation of the New Zealand Rugby Union to be present at next Saturday's match, between the North and South Islands. The Northern members of the team will arrive in Wellington by Thure- j clay's express, and the South Island contingent will arrive by Friday morning's boat. People who have neglected to visit the Art Gallery during the last week have still an opportunity to do their duty. In the exhibition promoted by the New Zealand Academy of Fine" Arts, there are many pictures which are well worth seeing. They are on view from 11 to 5.30 and 7.30 to 10.