THE TOURIST GUIDE BOOK.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLI, Issue 317, 4 December 1906, Page 2

THE TOURIST GUIDE BOOK.

THE RAILWAY EXTENSION ISSUE. A deputation from the Chamber oi Commerce and the Inland Communication League waited upon the Premier in reference to the omission from the Tourist Guide Book of Nelson's scenic attractions, and the extension of the Midland railway. Mr Bannehr called attention to the way in which the Tourist Department ignored Nelson. The Chamber oi Commerce had written urging that something more should be done than in the past, and it had been promised that in the new guide book to be issued justice would be done to the district. Instead of that, in the latest work Nelson was entirely ignored, passing referance only being made to certain of the well-known tourist attractions. In the advertisements in many of the weekly illustrated newspapers the name of Melson was not even mentioned, and places of minor importance were referred to as leading fishing and shooting resorts. Sir Joseph said he would be very glad to see the matter put right. Mr Bannehr next referred to railway extension. He asked a pledge that authorisation for the bridging of the existing gap of a few miles would be given ty Parliament. He said Mi Hall-Jones had told them that as soon as the Broken River-Springfield section of the Midland railway was completed a number of men would be available for transfer to tb,e Nelson section, in order that the section beyond the Tadmor might be expeditiously carried on. He trusted that the promise was not forgotten, and that access would be given to the Central Buller. The sooner the line was connected with the southern system the better for the colony and the district. The Minister had promised authorisation of the extension of the line beyond the Hope Saddle. In 1874 the Midland railway was authorised, and they were nowasking for authorisation of ten miles of railway to connect with the authorisation of 32 years ago. He contended they were in a position different from that of any other district. They had the pledge of 32 years ago that ttie line would be carried on, and he believed if the extensjon yyas made it would be of the utmost importance, and of great advantage to the colony. He asked that a provision be made to bring down the Authorisation Bill next session for this extension, ar,d if this was done a recommencement of work would not have to be made, and a great deaj of mpngy would he saved thereby. Mr McKenzle, M.H.8., said he had several grievances against the railway, but he would only mention one. The late Premier and the Minister had promised to carry on the work expeditiously and vigorously. The only way this had been done was by removing -a good many of tha men. There should be never fewer than 150 men on the main section. Sir Joseph Ward said he could make no promise as to the authorisation till Ministers had met and considered expenditure on new and existing railways. Ministers were as anxious as the people of the district to see railway extensions carried out, but the question of means had to be considered. The country had already made a large number of lines. ' It had 19 railways in hand. It was of no use to start a new line unless It could' be oarried on. When the North Island Main Trunk line was finished £300,000 a year would be released, but till then the Government had to be very chary of its promises. He would make representations to the Minister for Public Works, and he assured the deputation that the Government was anxious to 3o all it could with railway extensions. He would also bring Mr McKenzie's :omplaint before Mr Hall-Jones. Mr Bannehr said Sir Joseph Ward :ould not consider the extension asked "or as a new railway. All they asked .vas the carrying out of distinct pledges. It would not take much to raise i wave of indignation throughout the listrict at the way Nelson had been reated in the matter of the railway.

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Sir Joseph Ward said that whatever \\ promises or pledges his predecessors had made would be carried out. !3ut he personally would not make any new p pledges. ' The deputation had asked him for an authorisation, and he had ll said he could not make a promise. n Mr Graham, M.H.R., pointed out c that the authorisation of the 10* miles V gap remaining for construction had a been distinctly promised by the Mm- p ister for Works, and the fulfilment of c that promise was what the deputation n asked. All that the deputation re- „ quired was the fulfilment of the pledge y that the authorisation for the 10i miles gap should be given in such ample time that there would bo no cessation of work. Mr Graham also pointed out '_ that men had been removed, instead of, according to promise, put on when c their work had been completed on t other sections. Unless the authonsa- i tion was obtained the men would have t to be knocked off, and this was what t it was desired to avoid. , f Sir Joseph Ward said Mr Hall-Jones t promise would be fulfilled, but he (Sn r Joseph) could not give any promise as i to authorisation for new railways r Last year if the Government had put I on one authorisation it would have had to put on a dozen, hence none had i been put on. * Mr McKenzie pointed out that no . new thing was being asked for. It 1 was an old authorisation in connection i with the Midland Railway, a trunk i Sir Joseph Ward said he could not | and would not give a pledge to put pn ; a special authorisation. If the Minister had made a promise it would be fulfilled, and the authorisation would be included in the next authorisation submitted to Parliament. Mr Fell pointed out that years ago the whole line had been authorised, but there had been deviations, loops, etc., and there- was a small gap in connection with the latter which needed authorisation. No new expenditure was asked for. Sir Joseph Ward said he would place the matters before the proper Minister, and the subject would be considered at the proper time. The deputation thanked the Minister and withdrew.