THE MINISTER OF PUBLIC WORKS AT ROXBURGH.

Otago Witness, Issue 3330, 9 January 1918, Page 24

THE MINISTER OF PUBLIC WORKS AT ROXBURGH.

DISTRICT WANTS FAVOURABLY NOTICED.

Sir William Fraser (Minister of Public Works), accompanied by Mr E.. Scott, M.P., paid a visit to Roxburgh on Wednesday last, and in the evening was met by a representative body of residents, who placed before him several matters of interest to the district. The Mayor (Mr Boggiero) presided, and conveyed' to the Minister the district's confratulations upon the honour of knightood conferred on him. " Mr J.'Bennetts dealt with the subject of railway and roads. Whilst recognising the Impossibility of having the railway extended from Beaumont at present, owing to financial stringenoy, ho hoped that when conditions improved, favourable consider a tjon would be given to this extension. In the meantime, he pointed out the necessity of making the main road entirely passable for traffic, and while thanking the Minister for the generous way he had already treated the County Council by voting it a sum of j£)soo, he seated that that amount was not adequato for the repairs needed. Ho also briefly referred to the proposed increased rate on the freight of fruit, and suggested that fruit might be placed on the list of exempted articles. Mr J. H. Waigth, jun. (of the local branch of the Otago Expansion League) referred to the fact that Teviot Station was in the market, and solicited the support of the Minister. in its purchase by the Government. The matter had already been placed before the Prime Minister by the league, and he had sent a very favourable reply. The question of purchase Mr Waigth said, was being referred to the Land Purchase Board for its report, and he hoped when that report came before Cabinet, the Minister would support its purchase. It was admirably adapted for closer settlement.

Sir William Fraser, in reply, thanked the meeting for its congratulations. Referring to the- subject of railways, he informed the meeting that, owing to the dearth of money and men, due to the war, it was impossible to engage in any new work at present. He recognised the importance of the fruit industry and how essential railroad communication was for its progress, and assured the meeting that when matters returned to normal the further extension of the line would receive his support. He touched on the subject of light lines, and believed one of the same gauge as the present line should be constructed for very little more than that of building a good road. His sole object in coming through Roxburgh was to see the main road for himself and ascertain from the engineer the amount required for its repair. He regarded it as the duty of the Government to see that the district had proper communication, and! the road was a matter to which ho would give full consideration. The matter of the increased freight on fruit was not in his deoartment, but he would place the views of fruitgrowers before the Minister of Railways. The purchase of Teviot Station by the Government for cutting up into small holdings was a matter he heartily supported. He was well acquainted 'With, the property, which he regarded as very suitable for outting up, and he certainly, would see that the wishes of the people in this respect were placed before the Cabinet. The Mayor referred to the subject of the Teviot River electrical soheme, and asked! if there was a likelihood of this being undertaken by the Government during the next few years. His remarks were supplemented by Mr Ewiag, who gave an interesting description of the nature of the proposed work, by which tho capacity of Lake Onslow would be very considerably increased. Sir William, in reply, stated that there was no prospect of anything being done at present, but if opportunity afforded itself he would; be pleased to send his engineer down to report on it. The Mayor thanked tho Minister for meeting them, and also expressed his pleasure at having'Mr Scott, the member for tho district, present, tho latter suitably replying. VISIT TO MILLER'S FLAT. It was known that the Minister of Public Works was to pass through Miller's Flat last week, but it was an agreeable surprise to manv of the people of 'tire Flat to learn on his arrival that the title of knighthood had been conferred upon him, and that the honour belongs to Miller's Flat of his first appearance under his new title at any public meeting in the dominion. No one could-have been more surprised than himself at tho cordial welcome he received thero on Thursday morning. Flags were flying and the people lined the road in front of the hall as Soon as he landed, and gave three rousing cheers. He was deluged with congratulations as he was on

his way to the hall, accompanied by his private secretary and Mr R. Scott, M.P. Over 100 gathered to give him. a recepincluding- several ladies, to whom Sir William referred in very complimentary term 3.

Mr C. Topham read an address of congratulation on behalf of tho people of Miller's Flat.

A deputation, introduced by Mr R. Scot't, M.P., waited on the Minister to impress upon him the urgency of extending the railway from Beaumont. Mr Leopold Faigan introduced a deputation _ regarding the acquisition of Tevio't Station for settlement for returned soldiers, in order to replace the mining industry and absorb, the 250 hands unemployed through the mining being worked out. A largely-signed petition was then presented to be forwarded to the Minister of Lands.

In reply, Sir William said that the railway from Beaumont, being the direct route, had his sympathy, and he promised to further 'the matter as soon as the war is over and men are available _ to undertake the work. As regards Teviot Station, he knew the country well. He thought it admirable for settlement, and would impress the Minister of Lands with the desirability of acquiring ihe estate. Mr F". G. Duncan asked the Minister to confirm his promise, made to a Dunedin deputation, to proceed with the survey of the district.

Sir William assured 'the deputation that his promise still held good. He would endeavour to get engineers back /from the war, first to have, tho Survey made, in order to provide employment for returned men.

The Minister was then entertained at refreshments, after which the visitors motored to Beaumont.