MR. HERRIES IN THE MANAWATU

Evening Post, Volume LXXXV, Issue 33, 8 February 1913, Page 5

MR. HERRIES IN THE MANAWATU

HEARS VARIOUS DEPUTATIONS. (BY MLECUtAPH—SPBOIAI, TO Ittt POST,) PALMERSTON N., This Day. The Minister for Railways (the Hon. W. H. Herries) has been visiting this district and inspecting the Foxton wharf and harbour facilities, and also the suggested Main Trunk railway deviation between Levin and Marton. The position in regard to the Foxton harbour is that the Department will not sell the wharf to the Harbour Board, except at an exorbitant price, nor will it utilise any of the dues in developing the harbour. The board is, therefore, faced with the impossibility of effecting any reform in this direction, and the large district, which the port would supply, suffers from the high railway freights it has to pay on merchandise and heavy goods. While these high freights have to be paid it is impossible for Palmerston to hope to compete with Wanganui in supplying the Main Trunk toufiships. The Minister said in effect that he would have to see the Department effected a proper business deal ; but he promised to lay the matter before the Government, and suggested a deputation to Wellington. On Thursday, at Foxton, the Minister was banqueted. Yesterday, along the route of the Sandon tramway— Foxton to Marton— he was accompanied by large numbers of leading representatives of the district, and was most hospitably treated. He promised to give the request for the proposed new line from Foxton to Marton nis ( due consideration.