THE MINISTER OF RAILWAYS

Waikato Times, Volume 84, Issue 13092, 5 February 1915, Page 4

THE MINISTER OF RAILWAYS

VISIT TO WAIKATO WEST. TE KAWA DEPUTATIONS. While at To Kawa on Tuesday afternoon the Minister of Railways received a number of deputaions. Mr F. J. Bertram "brought up the need for more goods-shed accommodation, and Messrs J. B. Teasdale and F. Potts urged better yarding accommodation for stork : taiuling in the railway yard. Other matters, Mich v.:: the extension of the railway platform and the suggestion ui •> separate goods shed for the Prisons Department, were placed before the Minister, who made a tour of inspection ot the yard and promised to look into the various matters put before him.

The Kawa Brniuage Board, represented by Mr Coo. Kay and Mr Teasdale, asked the .Minister to authorise the deepening of the No. '2 main drain under the railway, and the Railway Department iv.y the cost.—Mr Herries asked the deputation to put the matter in writing officially from the Board, and he would have the matter reported upon and see what could ho done.

Mr •). A. Young, M.P., who was in attendance, introduced the deputation.

TE DEPUTATIONS. METAL SUPPLY. A deputation consisting of Messrs Fisher. Alexander, Cavanagh and Mandeno, representing the We'pa County Council, waited upon the Hon. Mr Herries at Te Awamutn with reference to the county metal requirements. They no in ted out that at the present rate of metal supply from Te Kuiti it would take six years to expend the full amount ol loan moneys and Covernniont grants available. The difficulty arose, they understood, through the acquirement by the Department of a portion oi the .Metal Comnany's quarries, and also through the obstacles placed by the Department upon a proposal to install adequate siding accommodation to cone with the traffic. They knew not lung of the negotiations between the Department and the company, but asked that the Minister ascertain the facts and expedite matters it possible. They also asked that riie regulations providing for payment of demurrage ho not rigidly enforced, and that certain and reasonable allowance be made in cases where the Department brought double consignments on account of side-tracking during the pre\ ions day.

A further rcouest was that the Department, in eases of urgency, supply metal from its (injuries to the local bodies.

The Minister in reply promised to look carefully into the several matters. He suggested, if sufficient space was available, that the metal supplies be obtained during the winter months and stored until the spring at the station yards. RAILWAY MATTERS. A lnnlier deputation consisting of Messrs M. 0. l,aw\son (Town Hoard), A. Young, A. G. Warhurton and S. J. Forteseuo (Chamber of Commerce) waited upon the Minister with the request that the restrictions placed upon excursionists from Te Awamutu and stations south thereof be removed. This implied to the extra express and extra Palmerston North express. It was pointed out that the restrictions, besides placing an unfair bar upon excursionists, resulted in a loss of revenue to the Department. It was also requested that Te Awamutu, as a railway outlet lor an extensive and settled area of back country, be included in the list of stopping places of the second or day express trains. Finally it was urged that the ordinary night express, which did not stop at Te Awamutu during (lie holiday season, should make the stoppage it only for mail purposes.

In reply Mr Homos emphasised the fact that it was his one endeavour to grant all possible facilities and conveniences to a district consistent with the sound control of the railway system. He would carefully investigate the various matters, and if found warranted and possible lie would bo pleased to issue the necessary authorities.

NATTVK LEASES. Mr J. A. Young, M.P., at the request of the Native leaseholders of the district, drew the Minister's attention to the unfairness of the valuations

placed upon Native lands by the Native Land Hoard, which had resulted in leaseholders having to pay in full for the value of improvement* which they themselves had effected and which in all equity were their own property. He wont on to cite the case of, say, a leaseholder who, holding a fifty years' lease, desired to convert to the freehold after five years' occupation—a course approved by the Native owners. It was apparent that the lessee had still a orty-fivo years' interest in his improvements, the five years' interest being all that could with any degree of fairness be claimed by the Native owner who desired to sell. The president of the Native Land Hoard in some instances insisted that the full value of improvements be paid to the Natives, which was manifestly unfair. It meant a man had to pay twice over for bis own house. The injustice was felt largely throughout the country, and having regard to the far-reaching effects of the present system, he would urge the Minister take into consideration the propriety of introducing legislation which would clearly define the powers of the Native Land Board to interpret the law » ith a view to facilitating Native land transactions with equity to the leaseholder and the Native owner.

Replying, the Minister admitted the importance of the question, and made reference to the legislation of last session, which would make the conditions of future leases more satisfactory. He understood, however, that some legislation was desjred which would apply to leases already in existence, and he would see what could be done. Some informal discussion followed regarding the sytem of raining Native lands and improvements and of taking the Government valuation into consideration when ■westing the value of .improvements in