DEPUTATION TO THE HON. MR. LARNACH.

Oamaru Mail, Volume II, Issue 558, 14 February 1878, Page 2

DEPUTATION TO THE HON. MR. LARNACH.

A deputation, consisting of his Worship the Mayor and Messrs. Shrimaki, M.H.R., Connell, Sumpter, Evans, Meek, Galbraith, and Forrester, waited upon the Hon. Mr. Larnach to-day, at the Harbour Chambers, for the purpose of bringing under his notice several matters of importance discussed at the late public meeting, more (specially with regard to railways. Mr. Carruthers, Engineer Tin was also present, His Worship, in introducing the deputation, said that they had to deal with

several matters which had been considered at a public meeting held recently. The resolutions passed "at that meeting had already been telegraphed to him (Mr. Larnach) and an answer received that the j Government was using every effort to increase the number: of trucks on the railwaj's, the want of which formed the principal matter that the deputation had to deal with. He thought it was well that the whole matter should be laid before the Government plainly. He pointed out that the quantity of grain to be conveyed by train this season was so large that something would have to be done to meet the requirements of the district. Until additional trucks could be supplied, they would ask that the Government should make arrangements for continuous working day and night on the lines by relays of men, paying the employes properly of course for their labor. By adopting such a course it might be possible to overtake the very large amount of work which would require to be done during the season.

Mr. Sumpter said that if all the work possible were got out of the present rolling stock the difficulty with regard to the want of rolling stock might be lessened considerably. He referred to the fact of railways employes not working after five o'clock simply because they were not allowed overtime, and said that such a proceeding frequently caused considerable loss and delay to shippers and owners of vessels. Very often a vessel might only require one truck-load of produce to complete her loading, and would be prevented from clearing out of port by being kept waiting for the balance of her cargo owing to the railway employes leaving off work punctually at live o'clock. Such a proceeding tended to damage the port. The Harbour Board was willing to keep their men at work on the Breakwater in order to assist in the speedy despatch of vessels, and he thought the Government should do the same. The Hon. Mr. Larnach said he was quite cognisant of the want of trucks on the railways, and that the public were suffering considerable inconvenience in consequence. The lack of sufficient trucks was not, however, owing to any fault on the part of the Government. The opening up of several new lines had been the means of taking up a number of trucks, which had rendered the trucks insufficient for the increased traffic. Orders had been sent home for a supply, and tenders called in the Colony for a large number of tracks ; and the Government I were doing everything in their power to meet the demand. A new system had been introduced with regard to trucks on sidings, which would, he thought, be the means of a large number of additional trucks being brought into use. Only the other day fifty trucks had been discovered at a' country station lying idle. A portion of these would no doubt be sent to Oamaru. He saw no objection to working by relays : indeed he thought that such a course should be. adopted, and he would undertake that it should be done. It was only right that the convenience of the public should be studied to the fullest extent, and the Government would endeavour to do so to the utmost of its ability.

Mr. Shrimski pointed out that only lately some complaints had been made by railway employes at not receiving overtime. He thought the Government should pay the men overtime. The Hon. Mr, Larnach said he would undertake that the men should receive overtime, and the deputation might fairly leave the matter in the hands of the Government to make satisfactory arrangements with the men.

His Worship then read a memorial which had been drawn up and signed by a large number of shipowners and shipmasters with regard to the delay occasioned in the despatch of vessels owing to the non-working of overtime and the want of sufficient rolling stock on the railways. The Hon. Mr. Larnach asked what number of trucks would be. required on the line.

Mr. Sumpter thought a regular number of trucks should be kept on the Breakwater line. The grievance which the deputation had to bring under his (Mr. Larnach's) notice was anticipating to some extent, as the grain season had not properly commenced ; but in the course of a few weeks grain would be sent into town, and then the want of trucks would be greatly felt. It was in order to lessen the difficulty that action had been taken. The Hon." Mr. Larnach said he could understand the difficulty which had to be encountered, and sympathised with the deputation. Mr. Connell said the deputation had been desirous of naming a return of the number of trucks at present available, and had applied to the district station master for the information, but that, gentleman had been unable to give the information without instructions from Mr. Lawson. Application had been made to Mr. Lawson, but difficulties had been placed in the way which altogether prevented the deputation getting tire required information. The Hon. Mr. Larnach said that as the supplying of the information would have cost, nothing, it should have been given. His Worship said the next matter he had to bring under Mr. Larnarch's notice was the difference made on the railway between wool and grain. The former had merely to pay a mileage rate from the point of departure to the place of shipment, while a terminal charge of Is. 3d. was made at the Oamaru station on grain, in addition to other charges. He thought the difference had arisen through the original charge on the Breakwater line being removed from wool, while it had been maintained on grain. Seeing that the quantity of grain grown in this district was larger than in any ■other electoral district in the Colony, he thought the same concession should be made in regard to grain as had been granted with reference to wool. The Hon. Mr.'Larnach said he could not see why any distinction should be ma-de.

After some remarks from Mr, Evans with reference to the quantity of grain to be shipped from the district during the season, The Hon. Mr. Larnaoh said he thought the terminal charge should be removed from grain. He had no doubt it pressed heavily on farmers. He had had so many things to attend to lately that he really had.not been aware that such an anomaly existed. It was not well to act on any iron rule in regard to the working of railways. They would have to consider the necessities of the different districts. He had learned much (luring his short visit

to Oamaru which lie had not previously known. This showed the advisability of members of the Ministry occasionally visiting important districts. He would promise that the extra charge on grain should be removed. ; : v

In reply to the Hon. Mr. Larnach, "i Mr. Forrester explained that the Breakwater line was not a Government line, that it was constructed by the Harbour Board, and the Government were allowed the use of the l.ne under an arrangement made by Mr. Conyers on the part of the Provincial Government with the Board. At the time this arrangement was made no part of the Government railways in this district was open, and a tariff of charges had to be fixed for the transport of goods to and from the town. Now that the railways were opened through, this tariff might be considerably reduced, and at any rate goods sent direct from a distance might be charged a through mi'cage rate without injury to the department. The Hon. Mr. Larnacli said that it appeared to him that there was no need to make two charges, and would approve of a minimum charge to a given distance from town with a through mileage rate over the whole distance if the goods were carried beyond that point ; and it also appeared to'him that a reduced tariff might pay on the line from the Breakwater to the town now that so much traffic was carried over the line, and requested Mr. Carruthcrs to make a note of the matter, that it might be looked into. I After some further remarks,

Mr. Larnach said that, without in any ( way divulging the secrets of the Ministry, he might mention that he had recom- ; mended the appointment of Railway Boards to his colleagues, who had received the proposal favourably. If the Government could see their way to carrying out the suggestion, Boards would be appointed" in the chief towns, having representatives from such places as Oamaru, comprised of shippers and merchants, and these Boards would be empowered to advise with railway managers on the management of railways. If the proposal were carried out, he felt sure it would have a beneficial result, as the Boards would be able to guard the interests of the public and the railways. His Worship drew attention to the total inadequacy of the permanent way and rolling stock in the Waiaivka and Awamok-i lines to carry the traffic which would have to pass over them. The Hon. Mr. Larnach thought it was highly desirable that heavier rails should belaid on the lines running into agricultural districts, but a difficulty existed owing to the want of heavier rails. He would, however, use his best efforts to have the matter rectified as early as possible. His Worship next drew attention to the necessity of more accommodation being provided for passengers at the various railway stations, and said that although the passenger traffic on the Waiareka and Awamoko lines was very great, there was literally no accommodation. He also suggested that some shelter should be provided at the Oamaru Station, and a refreshment room added thereto. The Hon. Mr. Lirnach said that provision for a refreshment room had been made in the plans for the new station at Oamaru, and asked Mr. Carruthers to see that a verandah was added to the plans. Several other matters, including the fencing of that portion of the Moeraki line running through town, the weighbridge, and communication with the. Breakwater, were brought under the notice of the Minister Works. The Hon. Mr. Larnach promised that attention should be given to the matters, and said lie recognised the necessity for telegraphic communication being established with all railway-stations. In reply to Mr. Shrimski, The Hon. Mr. Larnach said that tenders would be'called for immediately for the construction of the Waitaki bridge. In reply to his Worship, The Hon. Mr. Larnach promised that an opportunity should be afforded the . residents in the districts of tendering for the work. His Worship said he understood that the southern lino would be ready for traffic as far as Paln\srston by the Ist March. He hoped that portion would be opened aa soon as completed, and notkept waiting until the whole line was . finished to Dunedin. Mr. Shrimski said the fact was that a rumour had gained currency to the effect that the people of Dunedin would en- [ deavonr to bring pressure to bear on the ', Government in order not to have any portion of the line opened until the whole was completed. ', The Hon. Mr. Larnach said he did not think there was any ground for the report. j and thought the people of Dunedin would be "glad to see any portion of the , line opened as speedily as possible. ] Mr. Meek drew attention to the fact . that threshing machines were not, allowed [ to pass over the Waitaki Bridge on their own wheels. The Hon. Mr. Larnach thought this was a matter which should be altered, Attention having been drawn to the [ excessive charges made on timber- conveyed from the Breakwater—viz., 3d. for . loading and 2d. for haulage, The Hon, Mr, Larnach aaid it would r be better to have one definite charge, and . thought it might be reduced to 3.Jd. After some further conversation, the ' Hon. Mr. Larnach said it must be re- ; member*, d that while the Government [ were anxious to meet the wishes of the people in every way, they had to make the railways pay. The deputation then thanked the Minister for Public Works, and retired.