"THE PUBLIC."

Sun (Christchurch), Volume III, Issue 764, 22 July 1916, Page 14

"THE PUBLIC."

Mr G. R. Sykes (Masterton) ■ thought it a very good idea that the ' Minister should visit districts and ' arrange for a judicious transfer of votes. He emphasised the importance of getting over the Rimutaka incline difficulty as soon as possible. No doubt many sheep runs in the Wairarapa district would be cut up for closer settlement by soldiers, and further demands would be made on the incline. Mr T. A. H. Field (Nelson) said that so much money had been spent on the Midland line it would be folly not to proceed with it. He thought £BOOO was too small an amount to have been allotted this work. Last year the vote was £15,000, thougli ' only £BOOO was spent. It was to be hoped that this year's vote would at any rate be exhausted. the Hon. R. H. Rhodes (Ellesmere) referred to the advantage of prosecuting the line from Little River to Akaroa. There was an unexpended balance due to this line, and at least the survey of it should be completed. He would like to know what the policy of the Government was going to be with regard to the line. His own view was that a light line with electric traction would prove suitable. The Hon. W. Fraser (Wakatipu) said there was £2OOO to the credit of this line, but little could be done with this amount. Through the war many of the engineering staff had grmc to the front, but as soon as a surveyor could be spared he would be put on to this work, which would include a recommendation as to what sort of a line should be constructed. As to the Rimutaka, it was receiving every consideration. Regarding the new Parliamentary Buildings, the Legislative Chamber could not be used until the Speaker's quarters were provided, but the work would be pushed on with all practicable celerity. An essential

feature was a sufficient supply of marble for the outer walls, which must proceed along with the interior brick walls. A technical matter which had to be taken into consideration was the permanent settlement of the walls, and every care must be taken against a hurried course, which might result in fractures occurring in the walls. He had to be guided by his responsible officers, but he would do all that was practicable to get the Chamber ready at , the earliest possible moment. In regard to Mr Craigie's request that the Lake Coleridge current ! should be taken to Timaru, the Min- ' ister said that would involve an ex- , penditure of £IOO,OOO. Where was he | lo get the money at present? Mr Forbes: Mr Craigie will lend it to you. Mr Fraser: We have to attend to ' the war first, and therefore it is ab--1 surd to talk of mv incurring a capi- • tal expenditure or £IOO,OOO. Mr Nosworthy: Timaru will lend : you the money. Mr Frasor: That is impossible. The discussion was continued till I j 12.30 a.m. on the first vote of £114,000 ; I for the Public Works Department. j Mr G. Forbes asked that something I should be done to improve the road from Culverden to Hanmer, which Iliad grown 100 bad for the Amuri I County to keep in repair, and almost i , too bad for motor trailic. | The Minister said a demand for: £2OO had been made on the department by the county's solicitor because the road was used by the tracj tion engine of the department's contractor. The matter had nothing to Jdo with the department. However, I to save the contractor from prosecu- ! tion the department sent a letter to the county without prejudice offering £IOO. No reply was received, and the contractor was proceeded against and lined. At the hearing, the chairman produced the department's letj ter, and said the Minister had endeavoured to bribe them. He thought j something was due from the chairman of the county before assistance ! in respect to the road was asked for. | The remaining votes were agreed • to without discussion, and the House j rose at 1 a.m., adjourning till Tuesday next.