The Minister of Public Works.

Southland Times, Issue 4485, 24 November 1882, Page 2

The Minister of Public Works.

RECEPTION OF DEPUTATK NS. A large number of deputations waited on the Minister of Public Works (the Hon. Mr Johnston)^ tt the rooms of the Postmaster yesterday, the audience lusting fiom 11 o'clock, with a short break for luncheon, till past 3 o'clock. The first one 10 arrive was the deputation from the Town Council, who brought before the Minister the matter of a LOOP LINE IN TYNE STREETThe Mayor paid that the ' corporation wished to call the Minister's atlention to several subjects, the first one being th« construction of a loop lino in Tyne street. There bad been some correspondence on the subject between the corporation and the Government, which affected the town seriously. Mr Johnston asked if the corporation were prepared to close the street, as, if a double line of rails were put down, that would be the result? The Mayor did not think the street would be actually closed if the course suggested were taken. The rails might still leave enough room i'or the ordinary traffic. Mr Johnston inquired if the owners of properly abutting on the street concurred in r.fie proposal ? The Mayor replieil in the affirmative, and added that a number of them had memorialised the corporation in favor of it. Councillor McDonald pointed, out that the value of land would be enhanced if the Department were to give facilities for sid ings. A number of people were debarred from constructing sawmills, &c, by the want of sidings. The Council accordingly were very anxious that these should be granted. Mr Johnston said lie did not wish to do anything to prejudice the value of any of the allotments, so as to give owners occasion to bring claims against the Government. He Wanted the corporation to take all the risk. Ultimately the hon. gentleman paid he would decide the matter immediately lie returned to Wellington and after he bad conferred with the general manager. GRAVEL HAULAGE. The Mayor ivxt asked the hon. gentleman if ho would kindly make a reduction ou the present" rate for the carriage of gravel, which now stood at Is Gd per ton, i us the corporation was opening a new gravel pit at Mnkarewa. Mr Johnston thought that the present rates hardly paid the haulage. They were put at the very lowest on account of the public character of the work and he could not therefor^ make apy alt -ration. RAILWAY WORKSHOPS. The Mayor then drew the Minister's attention to a matter of great importance to the town, namely, tho removal of the rail wiy workshops. This was a very serious all'air to a small community like this, and ho asked the hon. gentleman to look into the question as the Government had, he thought, although possibly without intending it, treated this district unfairly. Mr Johnston pointed out that although nothing in the shape of construction was done here, yet all the rolling stock which came to Invereargill was repaired here. The Mayor said the town could not expect to get more than it was fairly entitled to, but they did considtr that the removal of these shops and of the work connected therewith was a great wrong. Mr Johnstm reminded his Worship that a large engine shed — the largest, he believed, in the colony— was being put up here, attached to which there was to be a workshop, injwhich the rolling stock would be repaired, and as the traffic extended, a larger amount would be spent under this head. The Mayor said this would come of necessity. He believed so far as the work was concern' d that it could be done as cheaply here as elsewhere in the colony. Mr Joyce, M.11.H, observed that there was an impression that the work as done at Dunedin cost more than it would if done here. Mr Johnston was sure that r.o more was charged than tho actual price. As the exact cost of everything done in the Government, workshops was easily as-iertainable it would not bedifricult to make a comparison. How ever, the erection of the engine shed already alluded to wns something in the direction they wished, and it was the intention of the Government to luive the rolliag stock repaired here as defore. The Mayor askfd if the Government could allow trucks to be constructed here. There was any amount of timber. The repairs to carriages and painting was, it seeniei, done elsewhere. If the work could be done here as cheaply as elsewhere he a-ked that the town might have the 1) 'neh't of it. Mr Feldwick, M.H.Pi., pointed out that at present all the trucks were hauled up to Dunedin or Christchurch, so that there would be an economy in that direction if the work w«re done here. Mr Johnston hardly thought it wa« likely that splitting up the work in the manner suggested would lead to economy. However, he did not wish to prejudge the matter and promised to give it every conside] ation. THE OLD PROVINCIAL BUILDINGS. The attention of t\ie lion, gentleman was drawn to the state of the buildings at present utilised by the Education Bosrd, the County Council and the Bluff Harbor Board, and to th« danger to the surrounding first-class buildings if they were allowed to remain. TELEGRAPH POLES. The obstruction to the footpaths by the telegraph poles was also brought under the Minister's notice, but he referred the Mayor on this subject to the PostmasterGeneral. RAILWAY CARRIAGES. Mr Johnston promised to send more carriages to this district during the holiday time, at the request of the Mayor. CLAIMS OF BLUFF HARBOR. His Worship then proceeded to call Mr Johnston's attention to the proposed direct steam service, and to the importance of the Bluff being made a port of call and departure. Councillor McDonald having also pointed out what a very important question this was for the district, Mr Johnston said this was a matter entirely outside of his Department, and as Parliament had unfortunately only granted a subsidy of £20,000 for three years, he did not think the Government would have much of a voice in the matter. THE RAILWAY STATI©N. Councillor Dunlop said that as repre*

senting a minority of the Council, on tj,, subject of the change of the site for a railway station he wished to urge upon thi Minister to consider well before improving the station whether that was really {k| be&t spot for it. The spot originally s a . geeted was C;yde street. There waaV-jS enough space at the present site, and'Jjj accordingly asked the hon. gentleman j ( examine^ the question before proceedy further and see whetlier the station cqnl not be removed with advantage. ■ Mr Johnston said the present p] ail j would. meet all thfl requirements for man. years to cdme r and he thought the inhabit, ants would be quite satisfied with theijj The change proposed would interfere vej, much with .the vested rights in the touj and unless there were some very strong reasons in its favor he should not ftj justified in making it. The Mayorpointed out that'this was'tlj expression of an individual opinion^ was not the general feeling in the matter. The deputation then thanked the hoj, gentleman for his courtesy and withdrew THE SEAWARD BUSH RAILWAY. The next deputation to wait upon ftj Minister was one from the Seaward Bui Railway Committee. Mr Johnston said he was ready to nia^ the expenditure of £5000, vote! last sej. don by Parliament, as soon as the 105 was floated, which would probably be eaA io January. The Mayor oaid the committee won! like to know when the Government woh! call for tenders for the first section. Mr Johnston aaid that tenders for f ori^ tion would be called for returnable $ January. Mr Blair, in being appealed to, said ttjj £5000 would cover the cost of format^ of three miles. Mr J. T. Martin expressed his satisfy tion at the result of the interview. TV were very anxious to see the thing co» nienced, but it had been so. long delayij tuat they were almost beginning to despaj The deputation then retired, snd gat way to another from the COAL AND SHALE COMPANIES, OREPUKI i Mr Todd, introduced by Mr Feldwid said the deputation represented the Ci and Shale Companies at Orepuki, an wished to urge upon the Government ft necessity of laying the permanent wayjj the Riverton and Orepuki line on the jjj lowing grounds : — The district was a va large one, containing all the elements) prosperity, such as coal, shale, fire claY timber, and valuable land, but it was pral tically shut up for want of roads, wbij were almost impassable, a large proportiij of the supplies having to be taken « horseback. Tenders were now beie called for the formation of a tramway froj the end of the Government line to tig mines, and the deputation wanted fa Government to hasten on the line. .Hi hoped the hon. gentleman would be sty to accompany a party down to the spij and personally inspect the district, andsij if these statements .were in any way eat gerated. Mr Smith read a communication fin the chief engineer, Melbourne, in whictj was stated that should the shale at 0& puki turn out well there was a tine marij for it there. They were using about 13 tons per week, and if they could geti cheap there was no doubt that a greats amount would be used. He ("the writer)BJ not doubt that if they could get the «j in Melbourne about 100,000 tons would li used per year, and of good cheap ekl they could use 10 per cent of the abos amouat. ' : Mr Johnston said that the vote of £14,(8 which was granted by the House towai the work, was nearly all absorbed alrea| The actual expenditure had not been rail — some £4,800 — but there were very lap liabilities for contracts which would abs£ the balance of the vote, so that heq unable to do more than carry out contra already entered under this vote. fi representations made to him would biij the effect of getting a larger amount! money put on the votes next session d would put renewed vigor into the workJ Mr Todd said it would be a great loss! the colony if the line were delayed mi longer. Could not the Governmant give * ders so that the work of plate-laying col be completed by the middle of the year!, Mr Johnston pointed out that this woiS mean an expenditure of £14,000, whileti \ otes for it would only be received frg next session of Parliament. I Mr Joyce pointed out that men wi holding on on the faith of the railway beif finished, and many of them would t ruined i£ the line were not aoon e# pleied. In reply to Mr Johnston, Mr Da-tnall said the work of platelajn; would probably take four months. Mr Johvscon observed that nothing cosl be 'lone before October. Mr Todd was sorry there would havei be such a long delay, but they could si ask the lion, gentleman to do impossibl tics. He urged upon him, however, top the platelaying done as quickly us possife He asked the hon. gentleman to give hi an assurance on the subject. . ; Mr Johnston nssurpd him that the wfli; wou'd be commenced at the earliest possible moment, and that the platelajif would be proceeded with as soon as ft formation was done. The sleepers andti rails were ready, and the work xrd probably be started towards the middles! the year. .'.< The deputation thereupon thanked M and withdrew. THE COUNT 7 COUNCIL. The next deputation to wait upon ft Minister consisted of the chairm>in fflf several members of the County Council The Chairman said the Council had sf plied for moneys under the Roads J» Bridges Aot, and" they would like to W what probability there was of their if. ceiving a decision shortly, as after a <*' tain date load making could not be p ceeded with. Mr Johnston replied that v decisfe would certainly be received within a ftf 1 night. The Chairman said the next matter *" with regard to the Mandeville bridged which £2000 had been voted by Pad* inent. The Council had asked for authority to call for tenders, but no definite ans# h;rl been received. Mr Johnston asked them to postpfi* calling for tenders till after the middle January, when the money would be^ their service. Councillor Mac Gibbon pointed out tW the bridge was much wanted, and ought" be finished by March in, time for the vest. Mr Johnston said they might calif", tenders returnable about January, wb* the loan could be floated. The Chairman drew attention to theft* that £12,000 had been voted to open 1 ? the Southland and Otago runs, and!* would like to know if the Council $<$ receive the authority to spend the montf' allotted to Southland. Mr Johnston said this was a matter j* : the consideration of the Minister of h«w The Chairman thought a better re^ would be obtained by entrusting '"" Council with the expenditure of ittfc" 11 number of smaller* bodies which bai B y the staff or resources that the Council l^'Mr Johnston said he would telegraph the Minister of Lands, and let them k D °* if he intended coming down here. The Chairman next drew the hon. ge n r man's attention to the need for a loop^ and siding at the "28 mile" on.*, Mataara line. They asked the Governm^ to put in the loop line on account of extension of traffic, and charge the.Ooun c|) with the siding only. There would &*! ■■'; considerable amount of traffic which *<$■ make the siding profitable, :

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Ir Johnston was under the impression this was a very unsuitable place for a ie Chairman said trains had always in the habit of stopping there.' r Johnston did' not think the traffic lient to warrant a siding which was pat ap for the convenience of local uncillo* Mac Gibbon said that hitherto ihaitbien no necessity for it, but now the land had jjot, into the hands of I proprietors "there would be a big rence, and traffic ; would increase at Johnston promised to look into the c Chairman next alluded to a crossing me Win ton-Kingston line, which was oted for access to Government land t sold. Ater selling the land the Gooment double-fenced it, thus cutting a Government road. It the request, of Mr Johnston, the irman promised to furnish the parilars of the above to the Government in ting. _c Chairman then- pointed out the at loss constantly arising from floods sed by insufficient .openings in the taara rail way, which had never occurred ore thejerectionlof the embankment, {r Johnston said a memorial on the subjhad been addressed to the Department, ich he would carefully examine and jnd to on his return to Wellington, he Chairman drew the Minister's atten[to the question of county offices, but I lis question the hon. gentleman referred i to Mr Rolleston. ir Johnston promised to consider ether the business at Wyndham justified employment of a man in charge of the ids shed, [lie bridge over the river at Gore was pnext subject discussed, the chairman ling that the district was rapid Jv | rancing, and required more accommoda- i B . He suggested that the Department j juld give up the present bridge for traffic 1 build a new one. Jfr Johnston thought the inhabitants jnld be satisfied with what was done i rthe Reads and Bridges Act. The deputation then thanked the hon. utleman and withdrew. THE BAILWAY APPROACHES. i. deputation of residents in Tay street, ided by Mr Lumsden, was then introted by Mr Feldwick, and urged upon i hon. Minister to avail himself of the nmodtous approach to the station which y street offered. The present approach a already very contracted, and the traffic 3 increasing, Sir Johnston promised to take the prosi into consideration, whereupon the potation withdrew. CLIFTON RAILWAY APPROACHES. _r Johnston promised a deputation from fton, who drew his attention to the [state of the railway approaches, that sevil should be remedied, and that the [form should also be improved.