OROUA NEEDS.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 466, 26 March 1909, Page 7

OROUA NEEDS.

ACTION BY ME. D. H. GUTHRIE, M.P. A number of Oroua needs were brought before Ministers by Mr. D. Guthrie, M.P., yesterday. Mr. Guthrie waited on the Minister for Railways (the Hon. J. A. Millar) and tho General Manager (Mr. T. Ronayne), in regard to the need for better facilities for trucking fat stock at Feilding and northern stations. At present there are not enough trucks, and the haulage power is not sufficient to clear the station, so that fat stock, especially the lambs, are kept waiting at the station, and depreciate in value. Mr. Guthrio suggested that two extra night trains aweek 6hould be provided during February and March, so as to remove the stock. The Minister promised that an investigation should bo made, and a special stock train provided if the result of tho investigation justified such action. Mr. Giilkde also raised a question in regard to tho Feilding technical school site. The controlling body of the school understood that they were getting the site from the Railway Department on a pepper>corn rental in exchange for ono thi;y held previously from the Department. Tho Department is now imposing a rental of .£3O, and Mr. Guthrio asked if a reduction in this charge could be allowed, if the Education Department paid part of the rental. The Minister agreed to consider the matter, but the Education Department, being subsequently interviewed, declined to bear any share.

Mr. Guthrie waited on the Prime Minister (Sir Joseph Ward) to urge the acquisition of tho Eidgelands Estate for closer settlement. The estate, comprising 2500 acres of fair dairying land, is seven miles from Fellding and two and a half miles from Haleombe. Sir Joseph stated that a further report on the matter would be obtained, and if it was of a favourable Character tho Land Purchase Board might purohase. , In reply to an application for telephone connection between Eewa and Livingstone, the Prime Minister said that ho would have a report prepared. Another question raised by Mr. Guthrio was tho practice of the Agricultural Department, when settlers raised a loan from the Government Advances to Settlers'" branch, to charge against the loan payment for amounts owing for grass seed advanced after the bush fil'es, though the promissory notes for such seed do not mature Until next year. The Prime Minister said that he would have the matter looked into, and redress granted where possible. Mr. Glitluie asked that the concessions of the Bush and Swamps Land Act should be applied to all bush lands offered for selection. He mentioned tho case of Mr. Anderson, lessee of Sections 3 and 20. Block'X, Buahine, who had not benefited by these provisions. The Prime Minister replied that a report would be obtained, and th&t, if possible* ft concession in tho CaSG indicated would ba rriAd^

The' Prirao Minister stated, in reply to an inquiry, that he would intimato very soon the date when ho would be able to open the Kitnbolton Post Offico,