CAMBRIDGE REQUIREMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 14109, 10 July 1909, Page 6

CAMBRIDGE REQUIREMENTS.

NEW RAILWAY STATION.

[by telegraph.— CORRESPONDENT.]

Cambridge, Friday. A large deputation headed by the Mayor of Cambridge (Mr. W. F. Buckland) waited on the Minister for Education (Hon. Geo. Fowlds), after his arrival from Hamilton to-day, with several requests affecting local requirements. V ,

Mr. J. Lundon, chairman of the school committee, suggested the purchase of -an acre block, adjoining the public school, from the Roman Catholic Church for a sum of £300, in order to keep pace with the growth of the school. He pointed out that the playgrounds were at present too small. The Minister, in reply, said that if local people would find £100 and the Education Board £125, he would undertake that the Department would find the balance.

The Mayor next informed the Minister of the existence of a large swamp in the district, and said it was desired, either to obtain a grant from the Agricultural Department tor drainage works as promised by the Secretary for Lands, when the Council clerk visited Wellington, or have a clause inserted in an Enabling Bill, whereby the swamp land would be handed over to the borough. The Minister said that when he returned to Wellington he would see what could be done in the matter.

The Mayor spoke of a petition, which was to be presented to the Government for the formation of six miles of roadway, in order to give Tautari settlers an outlet in the direction of Cambridge. Mr. Fowlds said he had no doubt that the Department would accede to such a reasonable request. At any rate he would be cognisant of the facts when the matter came before the House.

The Mayor said it was understood that the Government intended to erect three new railway stations, and the deputation wanted to know if one was to be at Cambridge, as the present station was a very poor building. Mr. Greenslade said that the Hamilton and Cambridge stations were two of the worst in the Dominion. The Minister made no definite statement. The fact that Maoris were understood to be successfully working for gold at Maungatautari, 10 miles from Cambridge, was made known to the Minister, who promised to make inquiries .whether the native landowners had communicated with the Government on the matter. It was stated by the Mayor that the result of the last Government assay, in respect of this ore was £1 Os lOd per ton.