A Ministerial Visit

Feilding Star, Volume XIV, Issue 55, 27 October 1892, Page 2

A Ministerial Visit

Yesterday the Hon. R. Seddon, Minister for Public Works, visited Feilding for I the first time. He arrived quite unexpectedly but as soon as his presence became known he was invited to the Feildiny Club where a deputation waited on him consisting of Messrs Lethbridge (chairman of the Manchester Road Board), E. Goodbehere, Sandilands, E. W. Fowlfiß (members of the Feilding Borough Council), A. Fergusson (of Birmingham), John Bartholomew (of Feilding and Kiwitea), H. Adsett, (of Colyton), C. Bray (Engineer of the Manchester and Kiwitea Road Boards), Dr. Johnston, P. Thomson, and Kirton (of Feilding). Mr Taylor (the chairman of the Kiwitea Road Board) came in latter on. Mr Lethbridge stated their object, which was to obtain a grant of money sufficient to complete the whole of the Kimboltori road through the lands recently sold by the Government, so as to make it passable for general traffic and thus allow the new settlers to get their provisions and families in with as little inconvenience as possible. Mr Bray produced the map ot the locality and pointed out that the Government would benefit largely by this expenditure, by enhancing the yaliie of Crown Lands at the back. ' Mr Fergusson instanced the hardships he and others had to undergo owing to the incomplete state of some of the roads. Mr Lethbridge pointed out that the settlers had not spared themselves because they had already taxed themselves up to the hilt in order to borrow money under the Loans to Local Bodies Act, to make roads. Mr Goodbehere said that it was with this object alone, to raise money to make roads, that the new Pohangina Road District had been created by separating from the Kiwitea Road District. Dr. Johnston spoke of the requirements of the lately sold Coal Greek Block. Mr Seddon, in reply said that he would lay the views of the deputation before his colleagues, and promised that he would urge upon them to give the requests of the deputation their most iavourable consideration. Mr Bray was invited to give his opinion as to the best site for the proposed bridge over the Rangitikei River, and he said at once that the Vinagar Hill was the beat, because foundations of sound rock were to be found on each side ot the river. Mr Lethbridge continued the subject, and pointed out that this site would be more convenient for the settlers who wished to connect with the Northern Main Trunk Railway Line, at or hear Hunterville. The subject of the enlargement of the Goods Shed at the Railway Station and making certain railway crossings in the Borough were also brought up, and Mr Seddon undertook to communicate with the Railway Commissioners. But, he said, he was not sanguine of success. Mr Lethbridge asked if the Government would assist the Feilding Volunteers in the erection of a drill shed. Mr Seddon, in reply, said that a certain sum was voted each year for the Volunteers, and if he could assist he would be most happy to do so. Mr Kirton (in command of the Manchester Rifles), said he had already addressed a communication on this subject to the Commanding Officer, Col. Newall, who would doubtless have $ presented through the regular channel. The deputation then thanked the Minister for his courteous reception and withdrew. ..-.:., :■.