THE MINISTER OF PUBLIC WORKS.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2711, 15 December 1882, Page 3

THE MINISTER OF PUBLIC WORKS.

The Hon. Minister of Public "Works, attended by Mr Back and Mr "VVerry, the Under Secretary for Railways, arrived at Sheffield on "Wednesday morning,at 11 a.m., and the Minister was immediately interviewed "by a large deputation, representing the different interests affected by the railway extension to Oxford. The members of the deputation were introduced to the hon. gentleman by Mr John Deans. Mr Rossiter, on behalf of the Road Board district of Bast Malvern, pointed out the advantages to be gained by the junction of the branch line to Oxford being brought into Sheffield. He said that although a majority of the members of the Board were in favor of Sheffield as the terminating point, yet it would be somewhat unjust to the whole district for the Board to present a formal resolution. No doubt if the line was completed to Sheffield it would open up a new and important market for the collieries here. Mr John Jebson asked the Minister what wa3 really contemplated to be done with regard to the present station, in the event of°Waddington being made the joining point. Mr Johnston understood that the station now supplied the wants of the surrounding districts, and in the event of Waddington being selected, a new station and buildings would require to be built. Mr Jebson pointed out the difference in the distance and relative cost of carriage by the alternative routes, and maintained that a grievous and permanent injustice would be done to Sheffield, Russell's Flat, Springfield, and Upper "Waimakariri by diverting the Oxford line to Waddington. He said the deputation did not wish to interfere with the administration of the Public Works Department, but the interests of two large and impor- | tant districts like Malvern and North Can- [ terbury would be best served by the line coining here, and said that any alteration in the'~working of the railway here meant serious loss and increased cartage, beside bein"' a heavy tax on the vested interests which in a number of cases had been purchased on the supposition that the station was to be a permanent institution, lie quoted f roir. and pointed out to the Minister clauses iu the report of the Royal Commission, in which they distinctly stated the point of junction should be it Sheffield. Mr Austin (of Austin and Kirk) informed the Minister that he would be put to considerably more expense by removal of railway facilities from Sheffield, and said that if the Oxford branch was brought to Sheffield he had no doubt the coal proprietors would do a more thriving and increased trade. Captain Parker, manager of the Springfield Colliery, followed in the same straiu, ending by inviting the Minister to do him the favor of inspecting the company's works at Springfield, which would convince him of the necessity and commercial value to the district of the Oxford Junction. Mr Barr and others pointed out the tax and increased carriage the farmers generally would be submitting to by any prejudicial alteration. Mr Johnston said that ho had been interviewed by a similar deputation at Waddington, who had advanced a number of arguments in favor of the junction being at that townshin, and that as now he nad heard both Bides of the question and had seen the two

f routes he ■ would give the matter an unbWd con^x'deration, and that m gmng !his decision t fi assured ho» -wo. Ula _ ao j j Sc ,f„-„+ a ;n interest of the ojjg-d totagtag terested m the ""J 1 "' 1, -, .-. „ ,!„_„ thanked the hon g* srwe e nV^v4 fie \% t^rK train and later in ' coach to pay an official Coast. '__