HON W. H. HERRIES

Star (Christchurch), Issue 10768, 14 May 1913, Page 6

HON W. H. HERRIES

VISIT TO THE WEST COAST.

MANY DEPUTATIONS ON THE WAY.

CRY FOR STATION IMPROVEMENTS.

On Monday morning the Hon W. H. Tlerries, Minister of Railways, accompanied by Messrs G. Witty, W. J. Dickie, G. J. Anderson, T. Y. Seddon and R. Scott, members of the House of Representatives, loft Christchurch to inspect tho Springfield and .Whitecliffs lines and to meet verious deputations, tho Minister and Messrs Seddon, Scott and Anderson afterwards proceeding to the West Coast, where Mr Herries will mnke an exhaustive inspection of the railway system. Messrs Witty and Dickie accompanied tho Ministerial party as far as Bealey Flat, and returned by the evening train. ACCOMMODATION SHED FOR AYLESBURY. "

At Aylesbury Mr Witty introduced a deputation, which put before the Minister a.request that additional accommodation should be provided for the entraining of stock. It was pointed out that a considerable amount of trucking was now done at the station, and that tho present facilities were inadequate to cope with the business.

Replying, Mr Herries said lie wavs satisfied, as to the reasonableness of the request, and promised that the work should be put in hand as soon as possible. LAND FOR DARFIELD DISTRICT HIGH SCHOOL.

At Darfield Mr Witty introduced a deputation, which asked that part of the land under the control of the Department should be set aside for the use of the District High School for planting purposes. If the required permission were granted the committee promised, to exercise every care in conserving the interests of the Department, and to plant the space granted with shrubs. It was also stated that the Malvern County Council had undertaken to form a crescent road round the block providing the Department -would place a ring fence round it. In reply, the Minister asked that the deputation should place its requests in writing, and he promised that it would receive his careful consideration. GOODS TRAIN WANTED.

The deputation further asked that the Department should place a goods train on the Darfield-Whitecliffs branch, so as to cope with the increased traffic.

Mr Herries promised that the request of the deputation should receive his careful consideration. -

INCREASED PLATFORM ACCOMMODATION.

On reaching Racecourse Hill Mr Witty introduced another deputation, which pointed out to the Minister the urgent need for increased platform and stock trucking accommodation, and asked that improvements should be effected in the station yard, and that the goods shed should be re-floored. The Minister promised that the first three requests should be attended to as early as practicable, but expressed a fear that it might be necessary to defer the re-flooring of the goods shed. GOODS SHED WANTED.

At Waddington a deputation, introduced by Mr Witty, asked that improvements should be effected in the station yard, also that a loading bank and goods shed should be erected. The Minister promised that he would give instructions that the yard improvements should be put in hand and also the loading bank, but he was unable to see his way to promise a goods shed at present. COMPLAINT AGAINST PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT.

At Coalgate the member for the district, Mr W. J. Dickie, introduced, a deputation, which asked that improvements should be effected in the station yard, and also complained that the Public Works Department was at present monopolising a considerable amount of space in the goods shed,, to the detriment of the general public, the shed being at present practically filled with material awaiting transport to Lake Coleridge. The deputation also asked that a carriage, with conveniences, should be placed on the Dar-field-Whitecliffs line. In reply,- Mr Herries promised that the matters brought under his notice by the deputation should receive careful consideration on his return to Wellington.

STOCK YARD ACCOMMODATION. At Annat Mr Dickie introduced a, deputation, ivhich asked that additional stock yard accommodation should be provided, as at present _ it was altogether inadequate for requirements. It was also pointed out that the .station accommodation was poor, and that improvements were urgently needed. The Minister said that a note had been made of the requests brought before him. all of which would be duly considered later on, and he would communicate with the deputationists later. STATION IMPROVEMENTS AT KOWAI. At Kowai a deputation, introduced by Mr Dickie, asked for improvements to the station and station yard, none of which were in keeping with the importance of the locality. In reply, Mr Herries said the reasonableness of the requests had appealed to him, and he thought he was likely to meet the wishes of the deputation.