INTERVIEW WITH THE CITY MEMBER.

Colonist, Volume XLIX, Issue 12019, 21 August 1907, Page 5 (Supplement)

INTERVIEW WITH THE CITY MEMBER.

THE RAILWAY AND THE ° WHARF. M

Mr Graham, M.H.R. for the City, arrived from Wellington by the steamer yesterday morning. In the course of a chat regarding too position of local affairs, Mr Graham told tho representative of this paper that the published information regarding tne iuterview of the deputation re the Nelson and West Coast railways with the Premier was scarcely in accord with his own impression in' some respectt. Mr Graham's impression was that Sir Joseph Ward did not exhibit any disinclination to include the Manu-Hope section of the Midland Railway in the next Authorisation Bill, but tho Premier would not make any promise to carry on the wo v k on the section already authorised at an accelerated speed. On receipt of tha Nelson papers, Mr Graham to make sure of his point waited upon the Premier, who gave his definite assurance to Mr Graham that this section would be included in the first Authorisation Bill bro ight down. Mr Graham added that it was very unlikeij mat an Authorisation Bill would bejbrought down this session. With the proraise of the fPremier as above, "the fact that an Authorisation Bill will not be brought down this session does not prejudice the line, as there is no probability of the [length already authorised being completed b fore next session.

With regard to the matter of wharf extension, too, Mr Graham bad something to add to what has bqen published regarding the reply male by the Premier to his question on the order paper, the reply hid been made Mr Graham saw Sir Joseph, who promised that he would reconsider th 9 matter, and in the House, ia closing his reply to quostioners, he stated so. As tbe statement was made simultaneously with the sounding of the gong which marked the expiration of the Premier's time, later on Mr Graham iv>se and said . —

"May I be permitted to ask if I correctly understood tbe Premier to say that in view of my representations to-day he will reconsider the reply given to my question in reference to wharf extension at Nelson?" l To this Sir Joseph replied, "Yes I shall bo very pleased to do so, "