DEPUTATIONS TO THE MINISTER OF PUBLIC WORKS.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1556, 13 February 1879, Page 3

DEPUTATIONS TO THE MINISTER OF PUBLIC WORKS.

The Hon the Minister of Public Works, Mr James Macandrew, was busily engaged during the. early part of yesterday iu receiving deputations on various subjects, o f which the first was — THE WEST COAST BAILWAY. This deputation consisted of Messrs J. Studholme, M.H.R., Captain Wills, Mr Lance (chairman of the Ashley County Council), Mr C. F. Barker, and Mr Buchanan. The deputation was introduced by Mr John Evans Brown, M.H.R. for the Ashley district, who explained that the object of the deputation in waiting upon the Minister of Public Works was—lst, To see how far the Government was prepared to go on with the proposed West Coast Railway before the next meeting of Parliament; and 2nd, to ascertain, if possible, from the Go vernment what route it was proposed to take. Mr Brown t-aid it was of great importance, not only to the districts north of Christchurch, but to the whole provincial district, that th construction of the railway to the West Coast should be commenced as soon as possible, and anything short of an assurance from the Minister of Public Works to this effect wonld not satisfy the deputation It was a matter of Vast importance, and the sooner some definite and satisfactory steps were taken the better. He would leave it to the deputation to speak more fully on the subject. Captain Wills, who acted as spokesman, stated that the deputation was very anxious for the Government to contract for a longer line of railway than was intended at present to advertise for. He might say that the people of the district which the deputation represented hud a certain amount of suspicion that there was certain undue influence being brought to bear upon the Government by owners of certain sections of land to carry the radway in their direction, and therefore the deputation would take an assurance from the Minister of Public Works that he was not under this influence, and that the north railway wonld be carried to the West Coast immediately by way of Weka Pass. Mr Studholmo said if he had an interest in any particular line it would be opposed. For his own part he was quite wiling to leave it to the Government to decide which was the best route. After a few questions had been asked and answered. The Minister of Public Works begged to assure the deputation as far as he was concerned that no hack stairs influence whatever had been brought to hear upon him by any person to influence his opinion one way or the other, and if there had been such influence ho knew nothing whatever of it. Tenders had already been called for beyond the Waipara River, which included the bridge, and that was a line in common to both routes. Mr Blair, the engineer, was going to make another visit in the month of March, when he would come over from the West Coast to Amberley, and would then report which was the boat lino iu his opinion. The Government

intended to spend the .£30,00(5 voted last session, and next session they would apply for another vote to bo placed on the estimates to carry on the work. Ho might state that this was in substance what he had communicated to Mr Brown some little time ago in Otago. The deputation then thanked Mr Macandrow for his courtesy and withdrew. 'the next deputation that waited upon the Minister was in reference to THE RAKAIA AND ASHBURTON FORKS RAILWAY, And consisted of Mr George Hart, the chairman of directors of that railway ; Mr C. F. Barker, the secretary; and Mr Laurie, one of the directors. Mr Brown also introduced this deputation, and stated that he was not sufficiently informed as to the wants of the line to enable him to lay their views before the Minister, and lie would therefore content himself with simply introducing them. A wish was here expressed that the Press should retire, and our reporter accordingly did so, the proceedings being it was understood of a private nature. The next matter which claimed the attention of Mr Macandrow was THE OXFORD AND MALVERN LINE. The deputation to bring this question under the notice of the Minister was introduced by Mr J. K. Brown, and consisted of Mr Gorton, the chairman of the Oxford Road Board, and Mr Sladden, a member of the same Board. Mr Brown stated that the object of the deputa‘ion was to hear from the Minister more detailed information than had hitherto come to their knowledge as to the construction of this line. Certain information had been communicated to him (Mr Rrown) by the Minister of Public Works some short time ago when ho wai on a visit to Dunedin, but the deputation would be glad if he could now give them some addi tional particulars. The people were very •anxious on the subject, as it was a matter of very great importance to the public of Oxford that that place should be connected with Malvern, At the same time, they admitted that the assurances that had been given to him (the speaker) by the Minister as to the construction of the lino were, as far as they went, of a very satisfactory character. He (the speaker) had communicated those assurances about the line to the chairman of the Board, but there were some matters left over for fuller inquiry. The deputation now desired to know at once if the line was to be constructed, as it would materially influence the commerce of the place for the next six months. The Minister of Public Works stated that he had just received the written report of the Engineer-in-Ohief, Mr Blair, in reference to the Oxford and Temuk.a line, and that they were to have a consultation about it. [Mr Macandrew then read that portion of the report referring to the Oxford amt Malvern section, which was of a very favorable character indeed.] He continued that much pressure had been brought to bear upon the Government by the owners of different sections on the Oxford and Temnka line, that for the present they were rather in doubt as to which particular sections to commence first. The recent interpretation of the Public Works Act of last session prevent the Government from going into contracts for the current year, beyond the sum voted by Parliament, viz., J 615,000 for the line from Oxford to Temnka. It seemed to him that the most natural course to pursue would be to commence the work, as suggested by Mr Brown, at Oxford and Temnka simultaneously, for the sum .appropriated would cover both works. He would not just at present pledge himself to name any particular sections, but within a week he would undertake to let Mr Brown know what decision had been arrived at. Mr Brown then pointed out that there were twelve thousand acres of land reserved in the immediate vicinity of the proposed line from Oxford to Malvern, and specified for the construction of this line, and that in his opinion, if the land was sold by auction, thirty thousand pounds would be realised, which would be amply sufficient to construct those sections of the line. He was very much astonished to hear that the Government entertained the slightest opinion of come encing the work at any other place than Oxford, as he had previously understood the Minister to make a very definite statement on the subject. Mr Macandrew said if the land referred to were to sell for four times as much as would make the railway it would be impossible for the Government, under the Public Works Act, to contract for more than would cost fifteen thousand pounds. Messrs Gorton and Sladden both expressed themselves surprised that the Government entertained the idea of commencing the line except at the one, or both of the termini, and stated that the saving to the district and to the province in the carrying o' the coal from the Springfield colliery should be alone sufficie t to induce the Government to commence the work. The deputation then thanked Mr Macandrew and withdrew. The next question that was brought before the notice of the Minister was THE CANTERBURY LAND FUND, The Hon. John Hall and Mr John Evans Brown waiting upon him as a deputation to ask how it was the sum of <£ 100,000 of land fund had not been paid over to the various counties as it ought to have been before this time. The Minister of Public Works assured the deputation that this was a matter entirely within the department of Mr Baliance, the CAonial Treasurer, and that he (Mr Macandrew) knew nothing about it. Mr Baliance would be in Christchurch some time next week, and that he would telegraph to that gentleman to let the deputation know when he would be here, so that they could meet him on arrival and obtain the necessary information. Messrs Hall and Brown then withdrew. /THE HARBOR BOARD. Later in the day the chairman of the Harbor Board, the Hon. E. Richardson, waited on the Minister, as the representative of that body, to know what steps the Government intended to take with regard to the cranes that had been promised to the Board. The Government bad originally promised three cranes and two steam hoists. The latter had been supplied, and of the two cranes one bad been impounded by the Oamarn Harbor Board. r i he Lyttelton Board had a very large amount of work on hand, and were greatly retarded through the want of those cranes. Mr Macandrew was aware that the cranes had been intended for the Board, and would therefore, promise that they should be supplied as soon as pos-ible. Probably the quickest way to obtain th rn would be to call for tenders for their construction in Christchurch, and this he would take immediate steps to do.