HON. W. HALL-JONES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XL, Issue 12271, 15 May 1903, Page 6

HON. W. HALL-JONES.

VISIT TO THE NORTH.

DEPUTATIONS AT HELENSVILLE.

RAILWAY EXTENSION.

[BY TELEGRAPH.OWN REPORTER.]

Hfxen'Sviixe, Thursday.

The Hon. W. Hall-Jones and party, including Mr. Witheford, M.H.R., and Mr. Holmes (public works engineer), arrived at Helensville at a-quarter to eleven a.m., and received a deputation consisting of Messrs. Harding, M.H.R. (Kaipara), Jas. Stewart, V. Knutsford, R. M. Cameron, and I. McLeod, who asked that consideration be given to the improvement of th* Helensville River, to make it navigable at low tide as far as Mount Rex, so as to connect with the railway. Mr. Stewart said his steamboat company were having a boat built in Sydney for the river trade, which would draw 6ft 3in, arid was to be 150 ft long, with a speed of 13 knots. He added that the rise and fall of the tide was 9ft to 13ft, and that at low tide steamers were unable to get up to connect with the train, and thus delayed the passengers' journey till next day. The Minister said Mr. Vickerman had prepared an estimate for the work. Mr. Vickerman said that the job was a small one, but the difficulty was in getting the plant. Mr. Stewart offered assistance in towing the plant to Helensville. The Minister said that there was other important work in Kaipara Harbour with regard to beacons where the channel had shifted. He inquired if there was anv likelihood of forming.a harbour board among the local bodies. Mr. Harding said that the Hobson County Council had been working in that direction for 10 years. The Minister suggested the formation of a river board, and said he would look into Mr. Vickerman's report and ascertain the cost and lay the matter before his colleagues. Other matters in connection with Kaipara Harbour must have attention, and he could not hold out anyhope of the work asked for being done in time for the arrival of the new steamer. Meantime he would suggest a conference with other bodies interested, with the idea of forming a district harbour board. Another deputation requested a Jaily train service to and from Tahekeroa. The Minister promised to lay the matter before the Minister for Railways, and was of opinion that the opening of the line to Ahuroa would probably make some alteration in the service.