MINISTER OF MINES

Hokitika Guardian, 19 August 1932, Page 5

MINISTER OF MINES

TOUR IN BULLER

; GORGE RAILWAY QUESTION. * (Per Press Association—‘ Copyright.) WESTPORT, August 18. Hon C. E. Macmillan, Minister of Mines, and Agriculure, arrived here from Murchion at mid-day to-day. He visited Charleston this afternoon, and en route he inpected pakihi areas brought into cultivation. ;-This evening he was given a civic reception at tho Town Hall, the Mayor (Mr J. H. Harkness), the County Chairman (Mr J. Niven) and Mr H, E. Holland M.P. being the ..speakers;; ' A’ number of deputations were heard, including one each from Stockton and Denniston op ‘coal-mining questions, and deputations from the Buffer Progress League-andv Westport Chamber of Commerce in reference to the harbouring charges on coal; which they asked should. -be lifted, mention being made that since the )' War the railway freights on coal had been increased by 5 per cent and the harbouring charge by 300 per cent. The miners’ deputation, asked that commission be set .up to I investigate the oharges on coal from the mine to the consumer, . , ; 1 Tho Minister suggested;# war by and sympathetic hearing to the various requests, promising to give, them fuller consideration after ho hod carefully studied the reports handed to him. '• , The Miniser suggested a way ny which -, the construction of the Bulkr Gorge Railway niight be resumed. The Minister tours mining townships to-morrow. V: '. 1 ■