THE HON. J. A. MILLAR.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1118, 4 May 1911, Page 2

THE HON. J. A. MILLAR.

TIMARU MATTERS. ' ■■ (By Telegraph.—Press Association.). • Timaru, May 3. Tho Hon, J. A. Millar met the Harbour Board to-day with a budget of subjects to consider, including:'WAmount of compensation to tho board for 101 acres reclaimed from the sea by the harbour works .and required for railway purposes.. (2) Differential", railway rates loi- frozen meat north and south iroin Oamaru much in lavour of Port Chalmers with the longer distance and uneven road. (3) Shortage of trucks. (4) Cargo sheds on wharf. (5) Better railway facilities for the fishing industry. (U) Fencing the railway ■ alongside WasUdyke Point line. Mr. J. Craigie, M.P., pointed out that much of the reclaimed land had ' been let for business purposes at a rent equivalent to XIUOO an aero capital value. The Minister said that the law provided that reclaimed land can be taken for State purposes on payment of the cost of reclamation. In this case the. reclamation was not the result of expenditure for the purpose. The circumstances were, however, unusual, and he wished to deal fairly. At the same time the board should consider that the extension of tho railway yard was for tho benefit of the town and district. Mr. Craigie said the board asked" £12,000 per acre.. • The Minister said he could not pay so much and' suggested that the newboard should make an offer to him, and ha would make one to the board. If the land were made dear he would have to do with less, and the town with a smaller yard. The Department would havo to 'spend about .£20,000 if he got the 10J acres in altering the yard. \s to the shortage of trucks he could not. afford to have a lot of trucks lying idle most of the year to savo a little delay to shipping now and then. As tho wharves belonged to the board they must build sheds if required. As to fenciug the railway he said three or four hundred miles of line required fenciug. The section referred to should bo put on the next year's Estimates for consideration. Regarding the frozen meat rates he said he would not deal with a singlo case. There wero three other cases, andhe meant to deal with all four, abolishiivr differential rates if possible. He promised to try and help the fishermen by causing an evening train to run through to Christchurch instead of Ashburton only. Ho suggested that tho fishermen should co-operate in selling in Christchurch, as there was too . big a difference between the price they get and what the consumer pays. ■ •