PRIME MINISTER AT PUKEKOHE.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 4, Issue 110, 19 November 1915, Page 2

PRIME MINISTER AT PUKEKOHE.

Borough Council Requests.

Th? Priue Minist-r (the Right Hon. W. F. Massey) arrived in Pukekohe yesterday morning by the Rotorua express from Auckland fot the purpose of paying a brief visit to his son, Mr J. N. Massey, at Puni. He was met at the station by the Mayor (Mr H. G. it. Mason), Crs Clarke, Hubbard, Uoadley, Barter and Motion, and tbe Town Clerk (Mr J. F. Deane), together with Messrs B. Andrew and J. P. Asber representing the Chamber of Commerce.

The Mayor informed Mr Massey that the Council desired to secure his assistance, as member for the district, in th 3 matter ot the new road approach to ths statioi (hit wofald be constructed in due course when the line was duplicated. His Worship explained that the Railway Department bad purchased property on which they proposed to form a road, 66 feet i.i width, from tbe station end to juncture with the existing 33 feet road at a point some six chains from East -street and the Department had suggested that the Ciuncil should oa their part acquire suffiient land to widen the East street end .of tbe road to 66 feet. The Council, however, considered that it was the Department's duty to provide a 66ft road for the entire length and he claimed that indeed . such was warranted by tbe present volume ot vehicuhr traffic without taking into account natural increase in tbe future.

Cr Hubbard pointed out that purchase of land could be more easily accomplished and at lesser cost by the Department than hy tha local authority. Mr Massey, hiving viewed tbe road, remarked that it was beyond question that it was desirable improvement, and be promised to give tbe matter his careful consideration if conies of the plans were sent on to him. # A request was then prof erred by the Mayor that the present power house site should be vested in the Louncil instead of remaining domain land.—Mr Massey replied that he would take steps to secure the necessary legislation for the purP'se in the next Washing-up Bill, as it was only right that the Council should be Kiven a legal tit!2 to the property. The Mayor informed Mr Massey that were several railway matters on which the County and Borough Councils and the Chamber ot Commece, as a joint deputation, wished to consult him but as bis (Mr Massey's) time waa limited that day the same would have to stand over.

Mr Massey mentioned tbat tbe General Manager (Vlr Hiley) would be visiting tbe district in two or tbree weeks' time and he would communicate with bim and would ask bira to meet tin deputation referred to by the Mayor, and if particulars of ihe requests were forwarded to hfm he wou|d consult with Mr Hiley thereon. ibe Mayor having expressed thanks to Mr Masaey for his kindly reception of the deputation, the party proceeded to the Pukekohe Hotel, where they were entertained by Mr Massey. I'he Prime Minister subsequently left in Mr Sam Mills' motor car for l'uni,