WAIRARAPA NEEDS

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 7914, 25 September 1911, Page 1

WAIRARAPA NEEDS

STATED BY DEPUTATION RAILWAY FROM FEATHERSTON TO MARTIN BORO UGH. Two requests were made to tho Minister of Public Works on Saturday afternoon by a deputation of members of tho Featherston County Council and tho Martinborough Town Board. Mr W. O. Buchanan, M.P., who introduced tho deputation, explained that tho main abject was to ask that tho Featherston-Martinborough railway bo included in tho Railways Authorisation Bill, which it was understood would be laid before Parliament this session. Assistance was also being asked from tho Government for the completion of the bridge which was tho main outlet from Martinborough. “You can drop that subject,” said tho Minister. “You would not have our plans, and you will get no more assistance. You have had all you will get. The matter is settled.” Mr Buchanan: I will ask Mr McLeod to explain. Tho Minister: Explanations are of no use. It is all on record already. Mr A. D. McLeod, chairman of tho 'Featherston County Council, urged the necessity of constructing tho lino to assist tho development of tho district. It had been suggested that the outlet should be through Greytown, but in this case the road traffic would compete with tho railway. The Minister: That is a very good argument against tho railway. In respect to tho bridge, Mr McLeod said they did not expect anything in the shape of a grant, but believed there was justification for an appeal for further assistance. He knew that tho matter had been settled, but urged that the Government might well consider the appeal. ;

Mr Buchanan drew attention to the capacities of the district, and claimed that they compared more than favourably with those of places for which railways had been supplied. After hearing further representations, ‘he Minister said the position was that the Government was strictly limited as to the amount of money available for railway .construction. He did not dispute any of the arguments in support of this line, and admitted f hat the district ; was an excellent one, and capable of great development. At the same time he doubted very much whether any branch railways would be authorised this session. He would, however, place the representations tenure Cabinet, and they would receive the same consideration as others. As far as tho bridge was concerned, that matter was settled long ago. This district insisted upon lengthening the bridge, and adding to tho cost to an extent the Government regarded as unnecessary. If they liked to go in for luxuries it was their affair. They could spend as much money as they liked, but they could rely upon it that they would not get any more money from the Government. Ho believed they had been very well treated over it already. , The extra cost was their business and now they would have to foot the bill. Mr McLeod said that the railway could be carried to within two miles of Martinborough without crossing the river, which would reduce the cost by onc-third. Even then tho lino would be of enormous benefit to the district.

Tho deputation subsequently waited on the Minister of Justice (Sir John Findlay), and asked that provision should be. made for a building for the holding of tho Magistrate's Court at ‘Martinborongh. The court lias hitherto sat in the Oddfellows’ Hall, but as tenders have been called for tho sale of that building it will probably be no longer available. ’Hie Minister admitted that something would have to bo done, and promised to make inquiries and inform tho chairman of the Town Board what was decided.