MINISTER FOR RAILWAYS

Greymouth Evening Star, 14 May 1913, Page 2

MINISTER FOR RAILWAYS

VISIT TO KUMARA AND STATE COLLIERIES. The Ministerial party left Hokitika this morning at nine o'clock by special train, and paid a short visit to Kumara. Mr Hemes was met by the Mayor (Mr J. A. Murdoch), members of the Borough Council, and a number of citizens. A very hearty welcome was extended to Mr Homes'on this, his second, vitiit to Kumara, and regret expressed that his stay would necessarily be short. His Worship also expressed pleasure at seeing Sir Arthur Guinness, Messrs Scott and Anderson, visiting M.P.'s., present, who, together with Mr Seddon, member for Wcstland, formed a unique Parliamentary party in so far as such visitations to Kumara were concerned. The Hon. Mr Hemes briefly acknowledged the kindly welcome given him, and the visiting M.P.'s also suitably responded.

The claims of the district for a light railway, together with the suggested route, having been brought under the Minister's notice, the party rejoined the train at the Junction and visited the State Mine Extension line, returning to Grevmoutli about 1 o.m. DEPUTATIONS.

At Runaiiga the Minister received a deputation from the Runanga Borough Council, consisting of his Worship the Mayor (Mr H. Coppersmith). Crs. Latimer. Rev. Avrton, and G. Hunter (Town Clerk). RAILWAY CROSSING. The question of the railway crossing from Runanga to the Village Settlement was brought under the notice of Mr Herries. The railway authorities had threatened to close this crossing to traffic on account of it being considered dangerous. His Worship maintained that there was little or no danger to traffic; the crossing was the only means of communication between Runanga and the Settlement, and in view of the fact that it had been in use for nine years, wince the township was formed, the threatened action by the Railway Department was arbitrary and unreasonable. The railway authorities had demanded an overhead bridge at a cost of £Boo—the cost to be borne by the Borough. Sir Arthur Guinness pointed out that when the Government laid out the township no permission had been made for a crossing. The present one was absolutely essential and in view of its close proximity to the station and the fact of trains slowing down on approaching, the risk was minimised—in fact, he was of opinion that there was no risk at all. SUPPLY OF MACADAM.

With regard to the supply of gravel to the. Borough an. agreement had been entered into with the Railway Department for the supply of macadam at 3s per ton. The railway, people then cancelled their offer and the Runanga Borough had later arranged with the Public Works Department to supply the gravel at 3s, whereupon the Railway Department then claimed- a further sum of 2s 3d as a through charge, which made the price for the metal prohibitive and the offer of the Public Works Department could not be accepted. OTHER MATTERS. The other matters brought under the notice of. the Minister were the action of the Railway Department in closing a public road along the railway, line from Mills Street to Ward Street, and urging the Department to continue running • workmen's train to' the top mine during a period of threatened stoppage whilst the brake-rail was being laid. • IN REPLY.

In reply the Minister stated that "he would go into the question of the railway crossing. The carriage of gravel was one that affected two .-Departments, and .he would, look into the -matter. As regards the workman's train this also was a matter' to be arranged between'the departments. However, he would . say, 'in regard to continuance of the trains that this would be done. - • ■ '■■ -,->■■