OTAGO MEMBERS BUSY

Evening Star, Issue 18020, 14 July 1922, Page 4

OTAGO MEMBERS BUSY

SAFEGUARDS FOR WAIPORI. RAILWAY UNDERTAKING. [From Oup. Parliamentary Reporter.] WELLINGTON, July 14. Otago members of Parliament wore a-ain active to-day, when they interviewed the Minister of Public Works. Mr Malcolm asked for an assurance that when the hydro-electric schemes were complied tho Waipori scheme, _ instituted bv Dunedin, would not be prejudiced by the proposed flat rate of charge for power. The Minister replied that there was no intention whatever of _ interfering in the Dunedin scheme, and it would be R lon S time before the national scheme reached a point at which the proposals could apply._ Though tho deputation was glad of this assurance, they obtained the impression during further conversation on the subject that Am question might not bo altogether disposed of, and that it might bo raised when a suitable timo arrives. Mr Horn referred to irrigation and the completion of the Lawrcnce-Roxburgh Railway, expressing satisfaction at the way in which tho Minister had dealt with Otago in these matters. The Hon. J. G. Coates expressed the belief that, with irrigation, Central Otago would become a thickly-populated district. Although men were put on the LawrenceRoxburgh lino purely for relief work, it had progressed so well that it was now almost certain that the lino would be finished to Miller’s Flat. , , „ Messrs Edie and Malcolm asked the Minister to make known his intentions regarding Clutha Valley Railway. Mr Edie declaring that the district had been shabbily treated. Mr Coates: That is nothing to whan Mr Malcolm says to me! - He added that the surveys and reports were practically completed, enabling him to give the following details: The line from Balclutha up the valley would be 223 miles, and was estimated to cost £247,000. K it went from the main line via Stony Creek (28i miles) it would cost £577,000. From Lovell’s Flat (29J, miles) it would cost £549,000; from Creighton (31 miles), £594,000. Tho surveys had been submitted to the Railway Department for its opinion as to the most suitable route from its point of view, and ho would ask it to facilitate the report. The Minister of Agriculture had undertaken to get reports from an agricultural point of view from his departmental experts. Mr J. M. Dickson explained to the Minister the proposals for the improvement of the railway between Dunedin and Pelichet Bay, asking his support when the matter was before Cabinet.

Mr Coates appeared to be favorably ini' pressed.