HON. A. L HERDMAN

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 8 May 1914, Page 4

HON. A. L HERDMAN

HELENSVILLE DEPUTATIONS ON THURSDAY, 7th INST.

THE visit of the Hon. A. L. Herdman (Minister for Justice) to Kaipara district, was taken advantage of by the local Justices of the Peace, to ask for the erection of a new Courthouse for Helensville. The deputation, which was introduced by Mr Gordon Coates, M.P.. included Messrs C. A. La Roche arid Jas. McLeod (speakers), W. R. Fosbroke, I. McLecd, A. Becroft, E. T. Field, Jas. Hand and Dr Meinhold, and was supported by other business men. Owing to the limited time at the Minister's disposal (having less than an hour at Helensville on Thursday, before the departure of the express train) he was unable to visit the Courthouse for purpose of inspection.

Mr La Roche pointed out to the Minister that the present building was entirely unsuitable for the court business now transacted, having been erected about 60 years. Several efforts had been made to get the previous Government to provide a new building, and when the matter was last brought forward, they were advised to wait a little longer until the new post office was completed. The present place was a discredit to the Government as a public building, and a disgrace to the town, which was now making rapid progress. Various loan works, such as water and drainage, were now under way, and it would soon be formed into a borough. The nuisance of shunting operations, and engines blowing off steam during Court hearings, was referred to; also the general unsuitability of the building by being so low, and lacking the proper accommodation. A new Court-house was required on land belonging to the Justice Department, on the opposite side of Commercial road to the present one.

Mr Jas McLeod supported the remarks made by Mr La Roche, and made a request on behalf of the Town Board for a piece of land from the Department adjoining the Public Library, for library extension, erection of fire station, etc.

Messrs Isaac McLeod and Eoche (trustees for the Maori hostelry fund), asked the Minister to allow the present Courthouse to be turned into a native hostelry, for which it was suitable where it stood, and take the native hostelry site at the other side of Commercial Road in exchange.

In reply the Hon. Minister said that immediately on his return to "Wellington he would get the departmental officers to report, N and if the reports were in tavour of a hew building then one would be erected. The matter of the native hostelry concerned Mr Herries, but he would confer about same on his return.

Mr Jas, McLeod also made representations to the Minister in regard to having a Clerk of the Court appointed for Helensville, as the Constable in charge was very much overworked.

Further requests put forward by Mr McLeod were for a larger grant for the Hot Springs. Only £300 had been voted instead of the £1,600 asked for to carry out necessary works; also for the Government to' purchase the adjoining farm owned by Mr Nicholls, on which was a valuable mineral spring. The price wanted was £50 an acre for 263 acres ; part could be added to the Domain and the balance sold.

Mr Gordon Coates, M.P., strongly supported'the latter request, showing the danger to the Domain Board if private enterprise stepped in. He felt sure the Government would not lose anything on the transaction, and urged the Minister to represent the question to Mr Rhodes (Minister for Tourist Resorts). In reference to the land asked for by Mr McLeod, the Minister noted the request, which he would convey to the department concerned. The request for a Clerk of the Court he intimated Avould probably be met by the appointing of an additional policeman. He further promised to interview Mr Rhodes on his return to Wellington.