DEPUTATIONS TO THE PREMIER.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2231, 31 May 1881, Page 3

DEPUTATIONS TO THE PREMIER.

Tho hon. the Premier received several deputations at tho Industrial Association Rooms this morning. The first to attend was with reference to GRAIN SHED AND SIDING AT CHANEY’S CORNER, The deputation composed Messrs Cochran, W. Wilson, O’Oallughan, and others, and their mission was to ask that tho Government would establish a grain shed and siding on tho north lino at Chaney’s Corner, Mr F. Back was also present. Mr Cochran said that they had waited on the Premier that day to urge tho claims of the residents at Chaney’s Oonur and Kaiapoi Island South to a grain shed and siding at tho former station. A very large extent of land was held in the immediate neighborhood from which, should tho grain shed be erected as asked, a considerable traffic might be expected. Mr Hall asked Mr Back what was tho distance of tho place at which it was proposed to erect the grain shod from the other stations now open ? Mr Back replied, 3 miles 48 chains from Kaiapoi, 3 miles 49 chains from the Styx, and 1 mile 58 chains from Belfast. Mr Hall would like to know what was likely to be tho amount of grain carried from this station if it were established. Mr Cochran said that he thought it was probable that some 56,000 bushels of grain would very probably bo delivered there for carriage, besides which, if the shed and siding were given, the residents would also largely grow potatoes, which would increase the truffle spoken of. Mr O’Oallaghan desired to endorse what Mr Cochran bad said. Ho himself bad always understood that they would have a station at Chaney’s corner. Ho might say that they bad some 3000 acres there, and their grain bad to be carted some eight miles. Mr Hall—The question for the Government to consider in dealing with an applica tion such as this for expenditure is what increased amount of traffic would result therefrom. Mr O’Callsghan desired to point oat to Mr Hall on tho subject that the settlers in tho district had been continuously growing grain on their land to its detriment. Had they the grain shed and siding now asked for they would be enabled to grow a very large quantity of potatoes as well aa the grain, which they would not do now, owing to the difficulty of getting them to the railway. Mr Hall would thus see that as well as increasing traffic, it would be a good thing for the residents by enabling them to change their crops. Mr Wilson said that another thing he desired to bring under Mr Hall’s notice was that the platform now at Chaney’s was an open one, and on many occasions he had seen eighteen or nineteen persons waiting there in the rain.

Mr Back said that this work was included in the estimate for the year. Mr Hall said that being the case the point brought forward by Mr Wilson was answered.

Mr Wilson then went on to call Mr Hall’s attention to the fact that the Government possessed three-quarters of an acre of land at Chaney’s corner, purchased for tho purpose of a station and siding, which land had been ■old at a far lower price than otherwise would have been the case had it not been for that purpose. Mr Hall said that tho Government were anxious to work the railways as economically, and at the same time as efficiently as possible, so as to afford all reasonable facilities to the public for travelling and carriage. Of course every application such as this for the erection of a grain shed and making of a siding meant expense, because men mnst be employed to take charge of the shed, &c. Therefore it was the duty of the Government to see whether there would bo such an increase of traffic arising from the granting of the request as would warrant the Government incurring the expenditure. What the Government would therefore require in dealing'with th<s question would be authentic statements of goods traffic likely to be developed at the station now asked for. If this was furnished, the Government would consider the matter. Mr Cochran said that two petitions had been sent up to Wellington containing the information asked for by Mr Hall. Mr Hall asked whether, when the new bridge over the Styx (which was contemplated) was erected, there would not be an alteration in the position. Mr Cochran said, so soon as that bridge was erected, there would be a very large traffic developed northward, because it would open up a large amount of land to the northoust of Christchurch.

Mr Hall said, of course, the Government were bound, and were also desirous to do all that they could for the development of the country, but they must also do so with due regard to economy. Of course, speaking offhand, the deputation could not ask him to do more than to say that the matter should receive the earnest attention of the Government. The deputation then retired.

BBDUOTION OP BBBIQHT OH KAIAPOI SAND. The next deputation waiting on the Premier composed Messrs O. Oram, Smothurst and W. Wilson. Tho object of their visit was to obtain, if possible, a reduction in tho price for carrying Kaiapoi sand on tho railway. Mr Bmethurst said that he had been endeavoring to develop a local industry of considerable magnitude and importance by working the building sand deposit at Kaiapoi for tho past four years. When he commenced, the price ruling in Christchurch market for building sand was 3j per yard, but he had since owing to the great roduotion in matters connected with tho building trade, been unable to compete with other local products. Mr Hall enquired what were the other local productions. Mr Smetburst said that there was a great deal of washed sand from gravel pits near Christchurch used in the building trade, but ho desired to point out that the Eaiapoi sand, of which there was a very large and extensive deposit, was considered by experts to be the finest that could be used. It had been used by tho contractor for tho graving dock and other Government Jworks. But unless the sand oonld be delivered in Christchurch at the same price or nearly so as that which was not of so high a quality the latter would be used. The price from 3s which was ruling some time ago had now come down to 2a 3d, and if ha had to compete with local productions nealer Christchurch, and to pay tho very heavy tariff of carriage, he could not go on. Mr Hall pointed out that if the faot that Mr Smothurst could not compote with another industry was tho only one ho had to urge in support of the reduction of the tariff, the Government could not entertain this. Mr Smothurst said there were other reasons which would be urged presently. Mr Hall asked what reduction m tariff charges Mr Smothurst required. Mr Smothurst said if tho tariff wore reduced from 2d, as at present, to lid,ho could then manage, Mr Wilson desired to point out that shingle, which required far more handling than the sand referred to by Mr Smothurst, was carried on the railway at less cost. Ho might also call Mr Hall’s attention to tho fact that by a reduction in the coat of transit, tho traffic, and consequently, the revenue, would be largely increased. Mr Hall oonld see something in these reasons as advanced by Mr Wilson, but he certainly could not boo that the Government were called upon to reduce tho rates of tariff upon the railway to enable Mr Bmethurst to compete successfully with some one else. The Government had every desire to foster and facilitate the growth and progress of industries throughout tho colony, but they could not do this for the benefit of one person at the expense of another. Messrs. O. Oram and! Wilson pointed out to Mr Hall that tho charge for shingle was leas than for tho sand.

Mr Back said that, except in the grain season, there were a number o£ trucks go g northward, and returning empty, which nng be utilised for conveying this sand. I ® ■> however, be recollected # that if thw granted the persons working tho pits some four or five miles from Chnatch would also apply for a reduction. Mr Hall said he could only assure the deputation that ho would go into the matter. The deputation then withdrew.