MR MITCHELSON AT INVERCARGILL.

Mataura Ensign, Volume 6, Issue 313, 14 December 1883, Page 3

MR MITCHELSON AT INVERCARGILL.

When the Minister for Public Works was at Invercargill, lie was met by various deputations. COUNTY COHNOIL GRAVEL SIDING. The Minister was interviewed by Councillors MacQibbon (County Chairman) and Host, introduced by Captain Mackenzie M.H.R., with reference to the cost of the loopline required to work the gravel deposit recently acquired by the County on the Mataura line. The sum asked by the Department (over LSUO) Mr Mac Gibbon said was a heavy charge on the County, and more especially so in view of the fact that Ihe gravel was wanted for public roads, which would make traffic for the railways. He hoped the Department would see its way to bear pait of the cost of putting in the siding, m\, at least, dispense with, the stipulation that it must be a loopline. An ordinary siding, he thought, might be, permitted ; or the Department might create the station at the plu-e fhaf was proposed to be erected a little further along the line. Mr Mitchelson said there was a difficulty in the way «f placing a platform there, as it was objectionable to stop at the foot of an incline. With reference to the siding, the Department would put it down on the usual terms, namely, that the parties benefited should pay the whole cost. He thought it best to say so at once, as there were so many applications of a similar kind made every day and refused. Mr Maxwell, in reply to Mr Mac Gibbon's suggestion that the costs might be lightened by allowing 1 a blind siding, paid that during the last three years,thousands had been spent especially in the Southern district, in providing new loop-lines, and also where sidings had formerly existed. This had been | done for the safety of the public and the expedition of traffic, and it would not be advisable to return to the old system. The Department strove to improve the railways and not perpetuate the former system. Mr Mitchelson suggested that the cost to tbe County might fairly be relieved by the other local bodies bsnefited contributing. In any case he did not'feel inclined, even if funds were available, to pledge the Government to the construction of this or similar works. , RIVERSDALE-SWITZBRg RAILWAY. Replying to Mr Hast, who asked'when the second contract for the Switzers line was likely to be put in hand, Mr Mitchelson . said that the subject was necessarily newj 4 to Jum, but^he would make enquiries. EDENDALE-FORTBOSEjLINa. Mr Mac Gibbon spoke of the'neceseity for carrying forward the Edendale-Fortrose line to a point on the other side of the river where it would be of value to the settlers, which, it was not at present. Mr Mitchelson replied that the funds voted (L 6000) were too small to carry out the works spoksn of. There was a tunnel to make which would absorb that sum at least, and the other work would cost LIO.OOO. Captain Mackenzie remarked thut land had .bren reserve for the construction, of this lnio years ago, and settlement; had been largely influenced by tbe expectation that it would be constructed. In that belief long prices had been paid for the land. It was an extremely rich district— the valuation being L 600,00 was entitled to consideration at the hands of the Government. He had been promised the expenditure of all the vote by the late Minister, and he asked Mr Mitchelson to fulfil the promise. Mr Mitchelson assured the deputation that the whole vote would !be expended aa far as it would go. EXCURSION FARES. Mr Feldwick drew attention to a i'act in connection with the excursion fares between Dun edin and the Lakes. The arrangements were such that unless an excursionist paid __an extra 14s he could not. cojiip round to Invercargill, but was compelled ro tiavel over I ■ the Waimea Plains lin 3. This w.-ia a grievance, and apart altogether from thn injury done to Invercargill, he thought the public ought to be encouraged to patronise the government lines. Mr Maxwell did not think the people should be restricted to travel over the Waimea line. He would makeja note of the matter and see into it. THE MARAROA RAILWAY. Mr Basstain and Captain Mackenzie, ' M.H.R., appeared in reference to the Mararoa line. Mr Basstian said the LSOOO voted last year for this railway had not yet been expended. Mr Mitchelson after hear t -Capt. Mackenzie, promised that the work would be proceeded with. THE MATAURA QUARRIES. .Captain Mackenzie drew attention to the action of the Railway Department in quarrying stone on the banks of the river at Mataura, and stated that it would be a great injury to the town and district if such excellent sites for factories, etc., were destroyed through the removal of the stone. Mr Mitchelson said ho would read all the correspondence in connection with the matter, ' 4 and take.it into his early .considora* tion, THE GORE-KELSO RAILWAY. Captain Mackenzie, said that the sum of LIOjQOO had been voted for the construction of this railway, and then it was found necessary to pass a bill empowering the Governrnent to acquire the land for the line. That bill was rejected in the Upper House, and now the Government was in the' position of having money fpr the work butiinableto take the.land, As to acquiring the land he could promise there would be ne difficulty. Most, of the settlers^ would give land for the railway, and those who d}d not would only ask nominal compensation. Mr Mitchels6n thought the only thing that could be done would be again to introduce the bill next session. 4-s he had not consulted .with his colleagues, he could not definitely promise that the Government would 'do so. ,