NEEDS OF MARLBOROUGH-

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 13234, 20 July 1906, Page 6

NEEDS OF MARLBOROUGH-

DEPUTATIONS TO MINISTERS.

[BY TELEGRAPH.— PRESS ASSOCIATION.] Blsnheim, Thursday. The needs of Marlborough were forcibly placed before the Hon. A. Pitt by deputations at Picton last night and at Blenheim this morning. The question raised by both was the need of more rolling stock, for the railways. Mr. Pitt said the Department considered that the present rolling stock was sufficient, if properly worked. However, two new carriages and some trucks were being built. 'The Picton deputation was assured that the Railway Department had prepared plans for a new wharf, to cost £40,000, to run along the western, foreshore to the freezing "works... Sir Joseph Ward's return was awaited by the Cabinet, before the plan was decided upon. Mr. Pitt and Mr. Mills assured the Blenheim deputation that they would do' their best tc have a vote placed on the next Estimates. 1 The Department recognised that tire present wharf was out of date and inadequate. The question of closer settlement up the Wairau Valley was urged by the Mayor of Picton, who counselled acquisition before railway extensions. Mr. Pitt agreed to this principle, but - pointed out that Marlborough had got a good share of land settlement money in the past. A vexed question, the subject of perennial controversy, as to the location of the railway traffic manager, was the principal matter with each deputation. The Minister said the Department was the best judge of its methods, but lie agreed that the time had arrived when the duties of harbourmaster'• and, railway manager should be separated. He would submit the matter to Sir J. Ward on his return. Requests were also made for a new traffic bridge over the Wairau River, at Spring Creek. . Mr. Pitt and Mr. Mills were entertained at luncheon at one o'clock. The ceremony of opening the new Blenheim railway station and also the technical school took place in the afternoon.