SHANNON IMPROVEMENTS.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 13 June 1910, Page 2

SHANNON IMPROVEMENTS.

VISIT OF THE MINISTER OF RAILWAYS. AND MR FIELD, M.P. The- Minister of Railways (the Hon. A. J. Millar) and iMr W. H. Field, M.P., paid a visit to Shannon on Saturday to receive depu'tations and to make a general study of the requirements of the district. The party moitorod from Linton and Tokoniarn, whither they had gone on a similar mission. At both places the Minister was able to Assure tli-e deputations that certain local needs would lie attended to. The facilities for loading stock at Shannon are obviously antiquated, and this was a point that was placed before the Minister with emphasis .both by Mr Or Stephenson and Mr Robinson, president of the Farmers' Union (Shannon). Unfortunately the time at the disposal of the Minister and Mr Field was of brief duraltion. They motored from Tokoniarn and waited for the express from Palmerston to Wellington, which steamed into the* station shortly after their arrival. The iuiterval, however, was filled in with important conversation. Cr. Stephenson made allusion to the facilities for leading stock, and siid that the present condition of things was intolerable. The Minister remarked that lie would see that a new siding was made, a promise that gave much satisfaction to the deputation. Cr. Stephenson: That is nil we ask for. One of the most dangerous crossings in the North Island, it was urged, as the Buckley crossing, and Cr. Stephenson drew the attention of the Minister fto this. Mr W. H. Field; M.P., corroborated this statement. It was the most dangerous crossing, at all events, between New Plymouth and Wellington. Cr. Stephenson: The local body will do all it can. It is under the jurisdiction of the Horowhenua Comity Council. The Minister replied to the arguments, and said tilmit the department would put in an overhead Inidee provided the local authority would pay pound for pound. With reference to the question of end-loading, the Minister absolutely declined to consider the matter. Cr. Stephenson, whose arguments throughout were ablv supported by Cr. Venn and Mr Robin«on, drew tiltentjon to "the Post Office accommodation. He said Hiat the present staff was greatly cramped, and soaiie alterations were imperative. The Minister assured the deputation hie would carefully consider this matter. Questioned after the interview. Cr. Stephenson said tih.it, with the exception of the mat/her of the Buckley crossing, be was satisfied with the result. To pay for an overhead bridge pound for pound, however, seemed to him unreasonable. Mr Robinson said thait he thought the Government ought to build the bridge itself. Cr. Stephenson, in referring to the Post Office, stalted that several deputations had waited on (the- Minister in connection with the ma liter and mentioned that £700 had been put on the Estimates for a new Post Office-. The question had, however, been allowed to lapse. On'the whole the deputationists expressed themselves satisfied with the result of tlheir interview, and stated that good would undoubtedly ensue, to the farming community.