AN ASSURANCE FROM HON. J COLVIN.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLVII, Issue XLVII, 20 April 1912, Page 6

AN ASSURANCE FROM HON. J COLVIN.

MORE MEN FOR GLENHOPE

While at Murchison on Thursday, the Hon. J. Colvin, Minister for Mines, was waited on by a deputation, which urged him to assist in securing the rapid construction of the railway to Murchison. The Minister, in reply, expressed sympathy with their promised to do what he could. ±le stated that a number of men were being sent from Dunoliie to the Glenhope railway works, and understood that at least 40 or 50 men were being sent from the latter place. The Department intended to put on 200 men to push on the line towards Murchison. Mr Colvin said he would do ills best to assist the members for Motueka and Nelson in expediting the construction of the railway. They might rest assured that the line would go on to Murchison whatever route miglit be chosen. At the present time the line was authorised as far as the Owen. The Minister was heartily thanked and acclaimed for his assurances.

A deputation consisting of Messrs J. Brown (county chairman), Flowers, Bredburv, Bennett, Thompson, C. and J. Downie, Badcock, Rait, Watson, Page, and Fraser (county clerk), waited upon the Minister in reference to a number of local matters.

The deputation intimated that they desired the Blackwater bridge to be built on the site which had been indicated by the Government Engineer. The Minister promised to see the Minister for Public Works and impress upon him the necessity for this being done. The Hon. Mr Colvin promised to bring the matter of metalling about threequarters of a mile of the Braeburn road between Blackwater and Flowers' before the Minister for Public Works. It was pointed out that there were several items in the appropriations, including the Murchison and Mangles Valley roads, for which a sum was understood to have been voted ; but when ap plication had been made to the Public Works Department they were informed that the amounts had been expended. They asked the Minister to inquire fully into the position on his return to Wellington, which he promised to do. Other works were stated to be in a similar position.

In regard to sheep pens at Rahu, the .Minister promised that this matter would receive his attention.

Another urgent matter was Newman's road, for which plans and specifications had been sent in some time ago, but (nothing so far had been done. An additional grant was asked for -metalling Grassy roadj Braeburn settlement ; also a grant for metalling Frog Flat between Glenroy and Maruia was requested; metalling for a mile on the Mangle road; and a bridge over the Buller at Gowan's road, were other matters brought forward by the deputation, the Minister promising attention to each case.

The necessity for the establishment of a post-office at Matiri was also brought under the notice, of Mr Colvin, who said he would refer the request to the Post-master-General.

As member for the district, the Minister was reminded of a clause which he had had put through last session to enable the Council to raise a loan to liquidate the debt owing by the Murchison County Council to the Reefton County Council. The Murchison County Council had been informed that the money was not obtainable from the Government Advances Department, and that it must be raised privately.

The Minister said that - he would inquire into the matter, and see what could be done. He might say, however, that the Advances Board acted entirely •f its own discretion, and were absolutely masters of the situation. He, .is member for the district, would, how--•r. ascertain the exact position in re--i'!-ct to the applicat.on. At the Lyell Messrs D. Philips and Mangoes waited upon Mr Colvin, and asked him to obtain a vote for the extension of the new creek road to the Victory mine. The Minister promised to give the matter his attention.

AT NELSON. On arrival at Nelson Mr Colvin met Mr Widdowson, the Public Works Engineer for the district, and consulted with him on matters. that had been brought forward by the deputations.