ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 880, 28 July 1910, Page 6

ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS.

• Post Offices arid Stations, A suitable site for a post office at Eorirua has now bee"n secured. The question' of erecting a building will- bo considered in connection with the Public .Works Estimates for the current, year. The position is tho same .as regards Korori .and Kilbirnic South.

Plans and signification hare been prepared for a new post office at Manain,' and the question of inviting tenders is under consideration.. ...

, The Waikanao railway, goods shed and loading yards cannot be improved at present, but the matter will bo considered after an expansion of the business.

Land for Settlement.

Reports have been obtained with a view to the purchase of land for: settlement in tho llrewera country, aud an area -of 34,001) acres has been dealt with by, the , Nativo Land Purchase Board. Further areas are under offer, which will increase the extent to about 00,000 acres. Tariff and Surta*. It is not intended (says tho Minister; to bring np the tariff for revision this session. Before any attempt is made to alter the import duties on timber, many interests will have to be carefully considered.

The Customs duties surtax expires ..in accordance with law on March 31 next.'

Veterans' Pensions.

Mr. Bollnrd (Ellen) recently asked the Prime Minister whether he would pass legislation this session granting military pensions to the veterans who served in the Maori wars. All these veterans, ho pointed out, would much prefer to receive pensions for services rendered to their King and country 'than to receive old ago pensions in the ordinary way. The reply given yesterday was that a petition from tho veterans is now before the M to Z Committee;-and when the report of that committee is received by the House the Prime Minister will bo glad to give duo consideration.to tho wholo question.

Local Waterworks Reseryß, Mr. Wilford recently asked tho Primii Minister whether ho would obtain an opinion from his otEcors as to whether the Orongorongo Stream, or a portion of it, can be turned into tho AVainui-a-mata Valley; and, as -the catchment area of Uie Orongorongo Stream is forest reserve, if ho will set aside this catchment area permanently as a waterworks roserve. The City Engineer, Mr. W. H. Morton,, in reporting on'this question, stated that it would show a serious want of, foresight, when the lime arrived for further supplies, if tho catchment area roforred to had passed beyond tho city's control. Tho I'riuio Minister replies that a report on the matter will be obtained,

An Engineers' Request,

Ihs question as. to granting certificates any person who had.served fivo years apprenticeship at tlio repairing and malting- of engines after passing an examination at the hands of the examiners of the Inspection of Machinery Department, and providing that only 'those who liold i such certificates should be employed in the erecting and repairing of steam plants has l>een considered, anil it is not deemed advisable to give effect to the wishes of the recent Wellington deputation on this question. Tho present course (states the Hon. J. A. Millar) is for an' owner who has machinery to erect or repair to call in "any firm'who can supply the necessary labour, or to employ any person whom ho thinks qualified to carry out any repairs he may wish to mate to his plant. All boilers and machinery are inspected and passed by the Inspectors of ■ Machinery before being used.

Other Replies.

Guards on Government houses, states the Prime Minister, are provided in all liarla of the Empire, ana it is part of the duty of the Regular or Permanent Force to act in'that capacity. The sentry is furnished by reliefs. There would be no.money saved by discontinuing the guards, as it would not reduce the strength of the force. The Marine Department will be glad to receivo any reports of accidents to waterside workers from the Workers' Onion, and to consider whether they are of such a nature as to justify their being included in the marine report. It is cousitlercd inadvisable to ,'inako regulations for the compulsofy grading of meat for export. Every effort is being made to preserve the scenery along the Waiigaivui Bivcr. The necessary surveys ■ are being vigorously. . prosecuted and legislation is being promoted to give extended powers to acquire areas of scenic value, and to protect the same."

The question of an alteration in the pay of the police force is under consideration. .