DEPUTATION TO SIR J. G. WARD.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLII, Issue 7387, 13 February 1902, Page 2

DEPUTATION TO SIR J. G. WARD.

Sir Joseph Ward, Minister for Bailways, was interviewed on Wednesday, at the local railway station, by Messrs H. Halliwell and B. C. Bobbins (chairman and member respectively of the Chamber of Commerce). The deputation was introduced by Mr McGuire, M.H.B. Mr Halliwell asked the Minister to give the matter of reduction of railway freights on bacon his consideration. Sir Joseph Ward said he intended going into the whole question at a later date. He made it a point of dealing with such matters at certain periods. He had a system of his own, and reviewed these questions as a whole instead of piecemeal, and made sweeping changes every twelve months. Ho knew what was wanted in regard to bacon freights, and had the matter in view. Whether he could do what was asked was a different matter. Mr HalliwGll pointed out that conces-

sions in bacon freights were as much needed as others which had been given. Sir Joseph Ward said he appreciated the fact, but could not do everything at onco. He was doing a lot, and intended to do more. Mr Halliwell said the bacon interest was one of importance ; the promotion of the industry would mean a big thing for the colony.

Sir Joseph assured Mr Halliwell that he knew what was required, and would give the matter his earnest attention. Mr Halliwell then brought up the question of the establishment of direct telephonic communication between Kaponga and Awatuna. At present communication could only be obtained through Stratford and Eltham. Sir Joseph Ward said that would mean another wire. Where was the advantage ?

Mr Halliwell said at times it was difficult to hear what was being said when communication was established, and there was often delay.

The Minister did not think there would have been much difficulty under the circumstances. He had to look at the whole thing. If the wire was not serving its purposes an alteration would have to be made.

Mr Halliwell said Eaponga was growing, and an alteration was necessary. He also spoke of the need for an extensiou of telephone communication to Wanganui.

Sir Joseph Ward said if there were no spare trunk wires nothing could be done. At present there were not

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enough, and many places had to do without communication. He would look into the matter, and if there were spare wires the request might be granted. Mr Halliwell said people were anxious for the extension.

Mr McGuire said that was the case.

Sir Joseph remarked that the question of cost and revenue had to be considered. There were many places wanting communication, and urgent cases would have to be attended to first. •

Mr Bobbins brought up the question of the exchange of a borough section for the little section behind the Post Office.

Sir Joseph Ward said it was his duty to look to the future. He was strongly in favor of keeping Government blocks of land intact, because he felt he was not responsible for to-day only, but to the man who might conic after him in twenty years. Mr Bobbins said that, even allowing for a large growth of the town, it was thought there would be plenty of land for Government building purposes for 30 or 40 years without the section asked for.

The Minister said statements of a similar character had been made in different places in past years, and the Government had had to purchase sites for buildings at great expense. Hawera was going to be a big place, and it would be a mistake if in course of time they had to shift the Government buildings to a place which might not be suitable. However, he could not give an off-hand answer, although he might say that his experience was against agreeing with the suggestion. He was a custodian for the colony, and must take due consideration of the future.

Mr Bobbins said if the exchange were sanctioned the Government section would not be used for any other purpose than that of a beauty spot.

The Minister said the Government would not give it for any other purpose. Mr Bobbins asked the Minister to remember when the estimates were being prepared the need for a new railway station at Hawera. The buildings were dilapidated.

Sir Joseph said Hawera had a grand station. There were many places in New Zealand where there were no stations at all yet. Mr Bobbins said that both Mr Buxton and Mr .Piper had led the Chamber of Commerce to believe that something might be done.

Sir Joseph Ward said extensions might be wanted, but not a new station. If the deputation could tell him where he could get the money, he would be only too pleased to attend to many wants in the way of railway buildings. In conclusion, be assured the deputation that ho had full shorthand notes of their requests, and would give the subjects mentioned his early attention.