OTAGO WANTS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3831, 16 August 1927, Page 6

OTAGO WANTS.

CENTRAL OTAGO’S CLAIMS.

NEW POST OFFICE QUESTION.

WELLINGTON, August 11. Three Otago members went as a deputation to the Prime Minister (Mr J. G. Coates) and the Minister of Public Works (Mr K. S. Williams) to-day in reference to Otago wants. Other Otago members who were engaged in committees and in other ways were unable to attend. Mr Sidey placed the main points before the Ministers. He said, in regard to the shipping question, that nothing could bo said because the Minister in charge had, in accordance with his promise, set up a committee to take evidence. Members were entirely in accord with' what had been done in that respect. The other important question was the erection of the new Post Office. They would like to have an intimation as to what was the position. There were other departments now paying rents that could be housed in the new Post Office. Apart from that, there was the inconvenience of the present postal arrangements.

Mr J. M‘C. Dickson said an important matter was the duplication of the Port line and its electrification, and there was also the line from Dunedin to Mosgiel. He. recognised that Otago could get only its share of the allocations. In regard to the Port line, he knew there was some dispute as to two stations, and that in consequence there was a danger that the work might be held up for some time. Of course, the electrification could not be done until the duplication was completed. Mr J. Horn (Wakatipu) mentioned various wants in connection with his own elctorate, such as the extension of thu railway to Luggate. Mr Coates: You might as well try to fly over the moon or take off your coat and try and win the Derby as endeavour to make that line pay. Mr Horn: It might pay if irrigation went ahead.

Mr Coates : The only possible argument is improvement by irrigation. Mr Horn : In this case it would be improving your own property. Mr Horn said he hoped that the Government would still keep in mind the possibility of hydroelectric power from Hawea and Waiiaka, especially as difficulty and extra expenditure had occurred in connection with Waipori. He suggested that the Domain Board at Wanaka snould be given an endowment, that a grant should be made for the Pembroke-Aspiring road, that the huts on the Haast-Waharoa track should be improved, that a grant should be made for the Nevis road, that improvements should be made on the Lake HowdenHomer Pass track, that an estimate of the cost of a tunnel at the saddle should be procured, and that better access should be provided for the Martin’s Bay settlers from Lake Howden.

Referring to the Luggate railway, Mr Sidey added that Mr Marks had stated that it would be better to make it than have the traffic going by motor on the road. As to the Dunedin suburban railway, they might get a faster service with petrol engines. There was also the question of subdividing cr adding to the Otago Power Board district, and the representation of the South Island bodies on the Highways Board and an increase in the subsidy, which was inadequate. Other matters for consideration were the new steamer tor le Anau and telephone extension from To Anau to Glade House. Mr Williams said the commencement of the Post Office had been delayed through the depai tment having taken longer over the plans than was anticipated. Tho department was waiting to get the plans authorised before it did anything. It was not thought wise to dismantle the old building until they had the money to go on with the new one. ~

Mr Coates said it seemed to him that there was very little to reply to. Mr Sidey: Yes, that is so. Mr Coates: The Post Office cannot go □ .head until the money is available. Mr M’Nama.-a (Secretary of the Postal Department) . That is the position.

In regard to the railway to Port Chalmers, Mr Coates said the question of the stations would have to be settled. A s to Mr Horn’s requirements, he said he would have to possess his soul in as much patience as _he could command until the Public Works Statement came down. Mr Horn: Oh, well, I hope I’ll ’ see something Mr Coates added that the whole matter of the duplication of the Port line was set out in the official paper D2. Anything they did to interfere with that programme would throw things out of joint. They must also consider the question of speedier movement. That would reduce the cost, but the capital cost would be tremendously heavy. They had now let all the contracts in connection with the Lyttelton tunnel, and so far as he was concerned he had practically finished with it. It was a question of getting on with the contracts.