ROYAL COMMISSION.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 1550, 13 May 1916, Page 3

ROYAL COMMISSION.

FOXTON WHARF AND ALVIN TRUNK DEVIATION. SITTINGS COMMENCE NEXT FRIDAY. The Royal Commission set up to enquire into the advisability of the proposed acquisition of the I oxton wharf by the Foxton Harbour Board and also the question of the Levin-Greatford railway will commence its sittings on Friday next. The first sitting will be held at Foxton, and will commence at 10 o’clock on Friday morning. The Commissioners are Sir Robert Stout (Chief Justice) chairman, and Messrs W. AL Hannay (late general manager Welling! on-Alanawatu railway), and Cyrus Williams (engineer to the Lyttelton Harbour Board). Air W. Hollis Cocker (Chief Justice’s associate) is secretary to the Commission. It is understood that in addition to Foxton the Commission will also take evidence at other places as found necessary. The order of reference is as under : (1) Whether it is desirable in the public interest that the Foxton Harbour Board should be permitted to purchase from the Railway Department the railway wharf at Foxton, and if so on what basis the purchase money should be ascertained and what should be the terms and conditions of such purchase.

(2) Whether it is desirable in the, public- interest Hint the Sfindon Tramway should he pure-based by the Government and be eonneeted with the Main Trunk railway at Marton or Great ford as part of the railway system of the Dominion. (3) Whether, in the alternative, it is desirable in the public interest that the County Conned having the control of the Sandon tramway should be permitted to connect that tramway with the Main trunk railway at Marton or Greatford. (4) Whether it is desirable in the public interest that a new line of railway should be constructed by the Government from Levin or some other suitable point on the Main Trunk railway to Foxton.

As far as the proposed acquisition of the wharf is concerned, the Foxton Harbour Board have their case well in hand, and in this connection the Palmerston Chamber of Commerce is working in conjunction with the Board. r Lhe Board will be represented before the Commission by Mr T. S. Meston. Mi M. Myers will appear on behalf of the Railway Department. On (he railway questions, counsel has been engaged by both those interested in the proposed deviation and the opponents of same. Several conferences of representatives of the local bodies and Chambers of Commerce in the district from Lex in to Marton and along the Main Trunk line have been held, and committees appointed to map out a plan of campaign and gather evidence. This hits been systematically carried out. Those opposed to the deviation, chielly Palmerston and Eeilding, hax’e also been at work, and will bring evidence m support of their case before the Commission. Mr C. P. Skerrett, K.C., with Mr M. K. Buckie, will represent the district interested m the proposal, and the other side have engaged Mr J. P. Innes to xvatch their interests. The sitting of (he Commission xvdl be held in (he Council Chamber. Any person desiring to give evidence before the Commission should communicate xvith the Secretary, c/o Clerk of Court, Foxton.