MINISTERIAL

Southland Times, Issue 19171, 15 February 1924, Page 5

MINISTERIAL

MR COATES IN SOUTHLAND EASTERN DISTRICT VISITED MANY DEPUTATIONS RECEIVED A strenuous day’s # travelling oyer the branch lines in the Eastern District was undertaken by Hon. J. G. Ooates, Minister of Railways, yesterday. The party, which consisted of the Minister, the General Manager (Mr R. W. McVilly, Mr James Horn, M.P., and Departmental Officers, left Gore at 8.50 and proceeded along the branch line to Switzers, thence back to Gore and on to Edendale and Glenham, where the Ministerial Party was motored across to Tokanui. From there the party resumed the journey by train to Invercargill, which was reached at 6.30 last evening. During the day the Minister met a large number of deputations in the course of the day’s journey, and discussed various matters of moment to the particular locality concerned. SWITZERS. On arrival at Switzers Mr Coates was met by Mr Colin Robertson, the representative of the Waikaia Riding on the Southland County Council, with reference to the unsatisfactory condition of the bridge over the Waikaia River at Switzers. Mr Robertson stated that the bridge was in a very bad state, and required urgent attention, being fit. for only light traffic. The estimated cost of the renewal work was approximately £2OOO, of which the Government was asked to contribute half. Mr Coates. after having personally inspected the bridge, stated that he would take the opportunity of discussing the matter with the members of the County when in Invercargill. Mr Robertson also drew attention to the somewhat excessive charges made on the County for the maintenance of the combined traffic and railway bridge over the Waikaia River at Riversdale, but after Mr Coates had shown him that the cost involved was much less than would be the case if the County was compelled to erect and maintain a bridge of ite own, the matter was not further discussed. Mr R. S. Charters, of Greenvale Station, also took the opportunity of placing before Mr Coates the necessity of a grant of £350 on the Estimates for repairs to the roadway at Winding Creek on the Main Road. Mr Robertson mentioned that the County had considered the matter, but had come to the conclusion that the amount was not sufficient to make a satisfactory job and therefore the grant had not been taken advantage of. The position was that at the present time the County was spending the whole of the rates derived in that particular locality on the road concerned, and the Council did not consider it was called upon to spend additional money out of County Funds. Mr Coates replied that he was of the opinion that the County Council took up an altogether wrong attitude in regard to the expenditure of ite funds, and if necessary special rating areas should be created for steps should be taken to make application for adequate assistance from the Government along with the County’s contribution. A request was also made by Mr Robertson on behalf of the farming community for a special stock train for the Riversdale sale eaeh alternate Friday during the busy season, but Mr McVilly stated that before any alteration to the existing service could be agreed to it was essential for the Department to know whether the service would be taken advantage of. Personally he very much doubted it. MATAURA. When the special train reached Mataura at noon the Mayor and Councillors met the Minister regarding the provision of a warning bell at the Bridge Street railway crossing, which was considered to be dangerous at present. The deputation also stressed the necessity of providing a new concrete bridge over the Mat aura River. The estimated cost was £BOOO, and the proposal was that the Government, the Southland County Council, and the local Borough Council, should each contribute one-third of the cost. The Minister, after personally inspecting the site of the proposed bridge and listening to the views expressed, said that he would ask for a report on receipt of which he would be pleased to give the whole matter his earnest consideration. BRYDONE. The next stop was made at Brydone where Mr George Stuart and Mr J. Drysdale asked Mr Coates whether any provision had yet been made for the erection of a goodsshed at the local railway station. The deputation also asked that a loading yard for stock should also be provided. The reply was given that the Department was unable at the present time to agree to the erection of a goods-shed as more urgent works were required elsewhere, but that steps would be taken forthwith to provide facilities for loading operations if the local people themselves would supply the hurdles required. EDENDALE. A large deputation, headed by the Chairman of the Town Board (Mr Oscar Baird) and representatives of the local Welfare League met Mr Coates on arrival at lidendale. The Minister and his party were entertained at lunch in the local hall when the opportunity was taken to extend a formal welcome to Mr Coates and to express the hope that when his time was not so limited he would again visit the district and see for himself something of its fertility. After lunch had been served Mr Baird proposed the toast of the King and also that of Mr Coates, both of which were honoured with enthusiasm. In replying to the welcome extended to him and the hospitality shown to the party, Mr Coates said that he was compelled through urgent matters requiring attention in W’ellington to curtail his tour in Southland. The deputation then stressed the necessity for the erection of a goods-shed, the provision of a warning bell at the level crossing, the lighting of the station platform by electricity, the provision of a dock for the Wyndham train and the lengthening of the station platform to accommodate the upward and downwards trains between Invercargill and Gore, which made a crossing at Edendale. A request was also made that Edendale should be made the distributing centre- for the mails to Seaward Bush and adjacent districts which would mean the mails being sent out much earlier than was the case at the present time from Wyndham. Mr McVilly, replying to the requests made, said that the Department was anxious to provide a warning signal, but the close proximity of the station prevented such an appliance being operated successfully. The lighting of the station by electricity was not only a great convenience but very desirable. The difficulty was the Department was faced with so many requests for expenditure that careful consideration had to be given to each one, and its urgency determined. The lengthening of the platform to facilitate the crossing of the up and down trains as well as the provision of a dock for the Wyndham branch line were also matters difficult to undertake, principally on account of the expenditure involved without any great benefit being derivable. Mr Coates stated that he was most anxious to give reasonable accommodation, but with so many requests for works involving capital expenditure, it was difficult to make the accounts balance. He waa prepared however to have the requests of the deputation listed, and to endeavour at some future date to have them carried out. He had not previously heard of the postal matter mentioned, but he would be pleased to make inquiries and ascertain if any good purpose could be served by the adoption of their suggestion. Mr Geo. Dempster, as chairman of the Edendale Progressive League, also spoke, and suggested changing the site of the

water tank at the railway station with a view to view of approaching trains at the crossing. The League was also of opinon that a shunting engine should be stationed at Edendale to deal with the ever-increasing volume of goods traffic as well as to assist in taking heavily-laden trains over the Kamahi Hill. WYNDHAM. The journey was then resumed to Wyndham, where Mr Coates was met by the chairman of the Town Board (Mr John Millard) and residents regarding an alteration in the time-table to permit of an evening train being provided to enable local residents to visit Invercargill more easily than was possible under existing conditions. It was stated that the present service was so inconvenient for residents of Wyndham and the adjacent townships that they were forced to travel by motor to and from Edendale, which was reaping the benefit of the railway traffic to the detriment of Wyndham. The Minister, in reply, stated that the whole trouble was that the branch line was far from being a payable proposition, and his great difficulty was to know how to give effect to the request made without unduly increasing the burden to the general taxpayer. He was anxious to render every assistance in the direction desired, but before giving a definite decision he would have further inquiries made. Mr J. H. Foster asked that some steps should be taken to improve a section of the road to Mokotua, which was in a very bad slate. In winter the road was practically impassable and as some 40 settlers used that particular thoroughfare a great hardship was being inflicted on them. The Minister said that if the road concerned gave access to settlers he was prepared to assist and to give a grant of £1 for every £2 raised by the local authority and the settlers. He thought that in the first place it would be better to obtain a report from ths Public Works Engineer and also the County Engineer, and he was in the meantime willing to have that carried out. RAILWAY EXTENSION.

After visiting Glenham the Minister returned to Wyndham, where cars were in waiting to take the party across to Tokanui, which after a pleasant drive was reached at 4.15. There the Minister met several of the residents in regard to the question of an extension of the railway line to Quarry Hills in order to give access to the settlers living beyond and also to tap the valuable timber resources ready to be opened up in that locality. Mr Coates said he was doubtful whether the proposed extension would be justified, and while he was not at the present time prepared to undertake the expenditure involved, he was willing to give consideration to the question of providing a first-class road for the settlers concerned, and to have an estimate of the cost prepared. Mr T. Golden also drew attention to the state of the road to Waikawa, and the urgency that existed for something to be done in the way of gravelling. The Minister’s attention was also drawn to the necessity that existed for the duplication of the telephone line between Waikawa and Invercargill to obviate the delays which at present occurred on this circuit. Mr Coates promised to refer the matter to the Post and Telegraph Department for a report.

The Hon. A. F. Hawke and Mr P. de la Perrelle, M.P. for Awarua, joined Ae Ministerial Party at Tokanui and returned to Invercargill with the Minister. GORGE ROAD.

A stop was made at Gorge Road, where Mr O. Neiderer asked the Minister to give much-needed attention to the main road between Mokotua and Timpany’s which was their only means of direct communication with Invercargill. The residents were also anxious that a caretaker should be provided for the local station as the goods traffic was gradually extending. My T. H. Beck also asked the Minister to sanction the granting of excursion rates to the members of the Junior Agricultural Club at Gorge Road when visiting the experimental areas for purposes of instruction. Mr Coates promised to look into the matters raised, and to give them his earnest attention.

The journey was then resumed, and Invercargill was reached at 6.30 p.m. In the evening the Minister met a large deputation at the Grand Hotel regarding the express railway services which is reported in a separate column.