DEPUTATION.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5388, 4 July 1878, Page 2

DEPUTATION.

Yesterday morning the Hod. Mr.Macandrew Minister for Public Works, and the Hon. Mr. Ballance, Acting-Colonial Treasurer, were waited on by the following residents of Marlborough :—Mr. Seymour, . M.H.R., Chairman of the County Council, Captain Kenny, M.H.R, Mr. Ward, member of the Wairau County Council, Mr. A. J. Fell, Mayor of Blenheim, Mr. George Dodson, Chairman of the Spring Creek Hoad Board, Mr. Thomas O’Sullivan, Chairman of the Omaka Hoad Board, Mr. Litchfield, Chairman of the Wairau Board of Conservators, and Mr. Williams, Mayor of Picton. Mr. Fall, who spoke on behalf of the deputation, referred at length to the great inconvenience and loss caused to the inhabitants of Blenheim and the surrounding districts owing to the Picton railway not having been brought into the town of Blenheim. The line stopped at the River Opawa, and goods and passengers had to be ferried over in a punt, at the loss of much time, and occasionally at the risk of considerable danger. The line of railway at present did not pay, but if it were continued into the town by an extension of three quarters of a mile in length, both goods and passenger traffic would be largely increased, especially the former, for at present the people preferred carting their .goods to sending them by rail to bo moved into the punt and then carted into the town. An objection which had been raised to the continuation of the line was that the ground required for the station &c. was in the hands of private individuals, who asked a price that was considered exorbitant. It was pointed out that the rate asked was not unreasonable, for the land had a high value, A plan of the proposed extension, as prepared by the Government engineers, was submitted .to Ministers. It was pointed out that a large ’ saving could be effected by, instead of placing the station on the site originally intended, erecting it on other ground, which would be central, and could be obtained at a much lower price. It was urged that the bridge over the Opawa should be on the combined principle, so as to carry both road and railway traffic. A long conversation ensued between Ministers and members of the deputation, during which much information was given as to the resources of the district, anticipated traffic receipts, &c. Mr. Maoandebw gave the deputation an assurance that he would take immediate steps to have tenders called for the bridge and railway extension, and would arrange for the purchase of the land required. Mr. WAKD'then brought under the notice of Ministers the necessity that existed for constructing a bridge over the Clarence River. The money had been voted'for this work year after year, but it had not been executed. On one occasion a Government engineer was sent to examine the river, but the Superintendent had been unable to meet him, and nothing was done. The river was a very dangerous one. Mr. Maoandrew asked if a vote had been placed on the Estimates for the work. Mr. Seymour said it had been a provincial liability. The province had authorised the construction of the bridge, but Abolition had prevented the work being done. The river was one of the most dangerous in that part of New,Zealand. Mr. Ballance asked it the County Gounod had brought the provisions of the Counties Act into force ?

Mr. Seymour said they had not.' Mr. IJallance thought that unfortunate. Whenever money had to be expended upon such works it was the much more convenient plan to get the Council to supervise the expenditure rather than that the Government should do so.

Mr. Maoandeew remarked that the provincial liabilities amounted to a million and a-half, but the Legislature only sanctioned the expenditure of £300,000, and they passed that amount in a lump sum. Hr. Seymour' pointed out that a vote for. this work had been on the Estimates sanctioned by Parliament. Mr. Macandrew said in that case it was not a provincial liability.

Mr. Seymour asked whether in the event of the Counties Act being brought into operation such votes as" this would be handed to the County Council for expenditure. Mr. Ballance replied that the County Council, being a corporate body, would bo responsible for seeing that the work was done properly, and their own engineer could superintend it. It would be much better if the Counties Act were brought into operation. Mr. Maoandrew said the vote had lapsed, but he would have the necessary plans prepared with the view of having the vote renewed. He quite agreed with the deputation as to the necessity for the work.