THE MINISTER OF PUBLIC WORKS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 10507, 29 July 1897, Page 5

THE MINISTER OF PUBLIC WORKS.

VISIT TO PAEROA. [BY TELEGRAM.— OWN OOHIIESPONDENT,] Pit boa, Wednesday. The Hon. Hall-Jones, Minister of Public Works, was waited upon by several deputations last night, the moat Important being on* of leaseholders, the Chairman of which was Mr. C. P. Mitchell. The parties asked that) the Government should sell to them the right of purchase of the freeholds held by the Gov&iimont, but leased by thorn to Messrs, Cawells and Bennett. It was stated by tire Chairman that the Government had negotiated with Messrs. Cassrells and Bennett for the purchase ol the remaining portion of the tenure, but as an amicable settlement could not be arrived at negotiations were su«pomkl. The lease holders, however, felb the position keenly, at their insecurity of tenure debarred them from erecting anything like substantial 01 permanent buildings. They now wanted to purchase their land at unimproved value, so that the homes they have been so ' long making could not be taken away from them at the expiration of the lease. The Minister asked that all papers in coilelection with the matter might be sent to him at Wellington. He would go Into the matter fully with His colleagues. He expressed sympathy with the leaseholders, and said he would do what ha could to get the difficulty settled, , Several other minor matters were brought before the Minister, and he also listened to i private grievances. Among the latter was » claim for compensation by Mr. H. C. 1 Wick for the taking of 12 acres of land i by the Government for railway purposes. It appears that, according to the Public Works Act the Government can take nine acres, and for the remaining three Mr. Wick demands a fair price. The Government had made an offer to him, but it was not considered a reasonable one, hence Mr. Wiok'a grievance. Mr. Wick has now taken steps to obtain compensation in the law courts, but he took advantage of Mr, Hall-Jones' visit to Paeroa to bring the matter personally before him, and endeavour, if possible, to come to a settlement without further lei;al proceedings. The Minister informed Mr. Wick that he would look into the matter.- A question of public importance was brought before the Minister this morning, namely, the necessity of a traffic bridge, or footbridge, across the Ohinomuri River, near the railway bridge, At present settlers have either to go across the bridge at the risk of prosecution, or make a detour.of about a mile down a road which juet now is fully knee-deep in mud. The Minister saw the necessity for the bridge, but said the construction of a bridge came within the operation of the Lands Department. Mr. Hall-Jones does not favour the light gauge railway to Waihi. He stated in my hearing this morning that.the line really would cost quite £160,000, instead of £50,000 as estimated; for two very large tunnels would have to bo driven. He did not agree with the light gauge system, because all the goods from Waikato and elsewhere would require to be transhipped at Paeroa from the big trucks to the smaller ones, and this, especially with coal, which was one of the essentials on the goldfie ds, would mean no «ml of trouble. .If » line were put through it must be on th# same gauge as the present New Zealand railway system of lines. At *11 events it was a matter of "£ s d," and as the line would, as lie said, cost lieaver £160,000 than £50,000, it would require vary careful consideration. This it would get immediately the report of the engineer was obtained.