RAILWAYS & WHARVES AT NELSON,

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1817, 1 August 1913, Page 5

RAILWAYS & WHARVES AT NELSON,

TOWN'S REQUIREMENTS,

DEPUTATION TO THE MINISTER, . A deputation from Nelson, representative of harbour board interests and commercial interests, waited upon the Primo Minister (tho lion. W. F. Massey) yesterday. Tlio Minister for Railways (tlio Hon. W. 11. llerries), and the Minister for Public Works (the lion. W. Eraser) were also present when tlio deputation laid their views before the Prime Minister.

The deputation urged that the needs of the district as regards railways and con-, trol of the wharves of the port should be recognised by tho Government. Touch-, ing on railway matters first, it was asked that the line which stopped at Glenliopo should-be continued to Murehison, a distance of 30 miles. It was pointed out that Nelson had been promised -this lino no fewer than 30 years ago, and it was considered that its being carried on to Murehison was necessary for the development of a large area of valuable land. In this connection special emphasis was laid on the thousands of acres of good country in the feeder valleys of tho Buller River.

With regard to the wharves it was asked: Could not the Government come to some arrangement by which tho Nelson Harbour Board could take over control of the wharves? At present, owing to the fact that the Railway Department had Wilt and controlled a wharf, there was a conflict of interests between tho railway authorities and the harbourmaster. It was proposed to raise a harbour loan of ,£35,000 to deepen tho channel and widen the cut, and a poll of ratepayers was proposed. In this connection it was stated that many of the ratepayers were disinclined to support, the proposal unless the Harbour Board had control of the wharves. If the loan was not authorised by tho ratepayers it would bo fatal to the development of Nelson, as the harbour improvements scliemo was only half completed. MINISTERS' REPLY. Mr. Massey, replying, said that, in connection with the rnilw.nr he was at some disadvantage as he had never visited t'li-a locality, but he hoped to remedy that soon, as lie had accepted an invitation to visit the West Coast. He was pleased to hear of the agricultural prosperity of tho, district, and reminded thbm of the new market for apples that had been opened up with .South America.

Touching on finances tho Prinio Minister said lie could not say the financial difficulties had altogether disappeared, but he could say they were greatly improved from what they were last year, and ho hoped by spring they would hovo entirely disappeared. Hp could not mako any pronouncement as to tho allocation of the Public Works Fund as this had not been considered yet by Cabinet, but the Government would spend as much this year in that connection, as last year, when a very largo sum of money was disbursed. He assured them that justice would be done to every district in New Zealand, including Nelson. He could not say more then, but would convey tho wishes of the denization to Cabinet.

Willi regard to the matter of tho wharves ho thought tho difficulties could be overcome.

Mr. Herries thought that tho request tor control of tho wharves was a matter of arrangement as to price. Ho could not Rive an estimate straight aw,\y, but he advised thorn to roako an offer which he would consider.

Mr. Fraser assured the deputation that it was liis opinion that the railway From Glenhope to Murchison should bo continued. Hp could not say that tho undertaking would bo tnkon in hand immediately, but it would be resumed at 110 distant date.