DEPUTATIONS

Kaikoura Star, Volume LVI, Issue 12, 13 February 1936, Page 1

DEPUTATIONS

MB. SEMPLE’S VISIT. Mr E. P. Moachen, M.P. for Wairau, introduced various deputations to the Minister. On behalf of the County Council, Mr F. J. Monk referred to the Conway bridge, the estimated cost of which was £-1000, Kaikoura being asked to contribute £BB9, ami the adjoining County, Amuri, £444. He suggested that a fair allocation would be 50-50, as he felt that Kaikoura was hardly treated. The capital expenditure to his mind should he a charge on the Main Highways Board, as the Councils would have sufficient to do to maintain the bridge. Kaikoura was only a small county and by the time it maintained its share of the highways it was left with £l2OO to carry on other works and the contribution of approximately £9OO for the Conway bridge was too heavy a load. He would like to know if the Highways Board could meet the capital charge. He could not understand the Mason bridge being brought into it as Kaikoura would have to consider the Kahautara river bridge and other structures. The Conway bridge would serve a Government settlement. Mr J. Wood, acting-chairman of the Highways Board) said the bridge was of interest to the settlers and would aid

them in getting to the railway. Continuing, Mr Monk said that Kaikoura had been hardly treated respecting bridges, and the Hapuku Bridge approach had cost the county £1700; also the county had to contribute its quota to the Clarence, Lower Waiau and Hu--I'dnui bridges. Mr F. Langbein (District Engineer) said that Kaikoura should not be paying for these bridges, ’because legislation provided for a readjustment. He had not known that Kaikoura was paying for the bridges mentioned. Mi* Semple said if Mr Monk asked for a readjustment he would see that, it was given effect to. However, he had on voire in the Highways Board at present. '

Mr Monk said that the county did not want to avoid the paying of a fair share for Kaikoura, but the council had not the money, and it would also have to find money towards the cost of the Puhi Puhi Bridge. Mr ’Semple said there was room for improvement regarding payment for highways and subsidiary highways, and a conference was being held next week Io discuss these matters. He did not want to hamper local bodies or have the ratepayers overtaxed. The petrol tax had been provided for the highways, but two-thirds' of the money had been diverted to the Consolidated Fund. This would bo altered with an assured annual income for the board, and plans could be arranged for carrying out the works. There had been a lack of uniformity, and works had been carried out higgedly-piggedly. In the future there must be a set plan, and

there must be experts to carry out the jobs. If private individuals benefitted, then they should contribute something. The highways should be dealt with by the Highways Board and the subsidiary roads by the Public Works Department, and local bodies, and a greater degree of progress wotild thus be made. We arc living in a competitive age, and the interior and exterior view has to bo considered, said Mr Semple. An up-to-date roading system would have to be found for the settlers, and the Labour Party wanted to lighten the burden of these people. The Minister said he could nsure Mr Monk that something would be done to improve matters, He had nothing but admiration for the work of the Highways Board, and ho appreciated what had been done, and hoped to assist the board further. The county need not fear a hard and fast rule in recpcet to the matter mentioned.

Mr Monk said he would like the Conway Bridge to be reconsidered. The Minister said he did not think Kaikoura should have to contribute to the cost of bridges outside the district, and a readjustment was necessary. Mr Wood said the councils would have to decide on their contribution to the bridge before a contract was let. Mr Monk said that he did not desire to see the vrork held up. The question is to come before the board next week, the Minister said. Mr Monk also made inquiries as to what was to bo done with the 40 men engaged on the approaches to the Conway Bridge. The Minister said, that seeing there was two months’ work ahead this matter could be deferred. SOUTH ISLAND MAIN TRUNK. Mr R. R. Laidlaw (representing the A. and P. Association) emphasised the importance of the S.I.M.T. to the Kaikoura district. It would be of tremendous importance to the district regarding the transport of stock and merchandise, he said. The advent of the railway would mean encourgement to secondary industries as well, and would also be the means of bringing people to one of the best health restorts in New Zealand, he said. Mr Laidlaw asked that the Government give favourable consideration to the completion of the line.

Mr J. J. Trcwin said the completion of the railway did not confine itself to a local status; it was of national importance and the potentialities' were great. Mr Semple asked if land settlement would be stimulated, and he was assured that it would. MILLING RESERVE. Mr Moachen introduced a deputation from the Puhi Puhi settlement. Mr Greig stated that the little bush at J. H. Barratt’s property was not of sufficient area, and those concerned in the mill asked that they bo given the right to cut timber on a block of 130 acres adjacent. The sum of £15,000 had been spent in connection with the mill, but the millers had got nothing* out of it, except getting into debt. They reserve asked for was not attractive as a scenic reserve. The mill could provide timber for the huts of the railway and also for other work.

Mr Moachen said he had been in communication with the Lands Department in reference to a larger block. A fire had been through the small reserve asked for, and there was a likelihood of further damage being done in this respect.

Mr Semple said the matter was outside his department, but any statement would be noted and handed to the Hon. F. Langstonc. Mr Jack submitted a plan of the locality, stating that about 1,000,000 ft

of timber was concerned. Mr Monk said the area was not a scenic reserve but really a bird sanctuary, and the block needed cleaning up, and would then be useful for farming purpose.

Mr Barratt endorsed the statements of the previous speakers. The timber had been cleaned out on the north-west side, and from a scenic point of view the block had no value, he added. Mr Semple replied that if the area were a bird sanctuary it would be necessary to frame an amending Bill: he, as Minister, could not do it. “Perhaps the birds could be persuaded to shift their nests,’’ he added. However, he said he would make representations to Mr Langstone, and Mr Moachen would advise them later as to results. Mr Jones also went into details regarding the block and the milling.

TRANSPORT MATTERS. Mr E. W. Harris, Mrs E. H. Morns, and Mr J. L. Thornton referred to statements made regarding the Tansport Board, and asked if the Government had in mind the fixatipn of transport, charges. Rates had been reduced between Kaikoura and Parsassus so low that those in the transport business were living on capital instead of on income. At present, to compete with the through traffic to Christchurch the transport services had to carry wool at 6d a bale to Parnassus to meet the competition. Mr Semple said that it was true that the question of transport was under examination, the whole system being in the melting pot. A report is to be submitted to Cabinet, he said. He was familiar with the cut-throat policy at present operating, which, he said, was proving disastrous to the country, and it was against the first principles of sound business. He u as conscious of all that, hence his intention to take drastic action. Transport organisations had grown up like mushrooms, and men were kept working 18 and 19 hours a day, which was crippling the industry and killing the pioneer services. This would have to end, as bona fide organisations had to be protected. New proposals would come down shortly, because it was an urgent matter. Reasonable rates would be fixed to enable men to be paid reasonable rates of wages. He had heard of men pulling up on the roadside to sleep; yet they would not state their position for fear of losing their jobs. This system would have to stop. The problem was not confined to New Zealand alone. There were three branches of transport—sea, road, and air—and these would have to co-ordinate with a common object. Instead of people working out their own destruction they would have to work out their own salvation. The whole system would be thoroughly examined, the Minister said.

Mr Harris sad the ralway charge for wool from Parnassus to Christchurch was 4/-, while the rate of through motors was 4/6, leaving 6d for carriage of wool 40 miles from Kaikoura to Parnassus. Was it not possible for the railways to co-ordinate with the services running to the railway?

The Minister replied that this must be done. Chaos had resulted under the present system, and the railway must co-ordinate with the legitimate carriers who were feeding the railways, and otrer competitors would have to got out. There would be an interwoven system of co-ordination with the railways. The Government constructed costly railways and had expended £60,000 on railways, and were allowing others to drive them off the road. HARKAWAY ROAD.

Messrs J. Todhunter and J. A. Chaffey waited on the Minister relative to the Waia-toa access road, pointing out that a further slip had occurred and they would soon be without access.

Mr Langbein said it was a difficult problem and meant a new road over the hill or a bridge over the Clarence River. The road would continue to

The Minister said it was difficult to contend with continuous slips. Mr Langbein would make further investigations and submit a report, and ho himself would see if the settlers could be helped. The Minister was thanked, and the deputations withdrew.