THE VISIT OF THE MINISTER FOR MINES.

Colonist, Volume XXXIV, Issue 6067, 23 March 1891, Page 6

THE VIS IT OF THE MINISTER FOR MINES.

Tsk £i< n the Minister for Mines, Mr B Seddoo, arrived by ihe steamer Penguin last evening, aud was met by the Mayor and some of the Councilors, accompanied by the Town Clerk as well as Mr Harkness, M.H.R, and Mr Joshua Bird, Chairman of the County Council. Mr Seddon was accompanied by Mrs Seddon, and Mr GordoD, Inspector of Mines, as well bb the Minister's Private Secretary were also of the party. Later in the evening Mr Seddon was waited on by the Mayor, Mr Harknefß, M.B.R, and some of the Councilors, who brought under the notice of the Minister for Mines and Public Works some urgently required works. The Mayor referred 10 tbe road round the Bocks at tbe Port, and stated that it had been estimated that this road could be constructed for some £6000. He urged that if tbe Government w..uld subsidise rhe work by giving pouiid for pound to the extent of £4000 tbe road might be made sufficiently wide to admit the railroad being made by this ronte, thus avoiding the steep inoline at Jenkio's Hill. ' He said he had been informed that such a deviation would result in a saving of £1200 a year, in the working expen sea. Cr Akersten brought under tbe notioe of the Minister the desirability of shifting the Nelson railway station to the opposite side of the line in order to obviate the necessity of all passengers crossing the rails. He eaid he was informed tbat the estimated cost was not more than £200, and he pointed out that were the station made near the Globe Hotel people could travel to the Port by rail instead of byroad A question was also asked relative to the Midland Railway works, and the prcgrcßß at

present being made. The Hon Mr >'ed>o u replied to the latter question, stating that the Company bad made a deposit of £500'), whioh was a praotioal guarantee that the line, including the tunnal, would be completed and continued into Mo.ueka valley within three years. Rsferance was also m*de to needed reclamation in the vioinisy of the Railway station, but it was understood *h*r. all these questions would be gons in o m ire fally on the rttarn of the Minister from Takaka and Collingw od. Lieutenant Culonel Pitt also waited on Mr S?ddon. and brought under bis notice several i matters in connection with the volun eer I movement the Minister promising !o give favorable consideration to aime. Mr Seddon also promised to communicate with the Chief Railway Commissioner relative to the latter gentleman meeting him in Nelson on Tuesday next about matters conneoted with the suggested deviation of the railway by way "f the Port. The Minister leaves overland for Motneka. Riwakt, Takaka, and Col in^wiod at six o'olock this morning, whon he will be accompanied by Me E. J. O'Connor M H.R. for the Boiler oons'itaenoy, and the other members of the p-rty. It is hi^ intention to return to Nelson by the p.s. L idy B*rkiv on Monday evening — ' Coloiiss ' M*'rch 13.