PUBLIC WORKS

Southland Times, Issue 18821, 14 May 1920, Page 7

PUBLIC WORKS

MINISTER IN SOUTHLAND,

DEPUTATION AT GORE.

The Minister of Public Works, the Hon. J. G. Coates, began his first visit to Southland yesterday under splendid weather conditions. He was met at the Gore railway station by the Mayor (Mr A. Martini and a number of councillors. The party then motored to the Gore traffic bridge which is in nerd of repair. The Borough (V-unc:!, however, has’ considered that it would be advisable to build a new concrete bridge rather than repair the old one. Addressing the Minister, the Mayor said that the deputation wished to ask if, in the event of the Borough and County Councils agreeing to reconstruct the bridge in concrete, the Department would be willing to make a grant n- subsidy equal to one-third of the cost. When the bridge was constructed 24 years ago, that was the basis on which the money was found. .Assuming for argument's sake that the bridge would cost £7501) (he would have an engineer’s estimate next day), that would mean that the Government would grant £2500, and the Borough and County Councils equal amounts. If the Minister would agree to the proposal, the Council would further consider the matter. After inspecting the bridge the Minister said that the matter was one of policy. He would instruct, his officers to report on the whole position. and. after deliberation, would let the Council know the result. The Mayor had prefaced his remarks by a warm expression of welcome to the Minister, and to this Mr Coates suitably replied.

GORE-HEDGEHOPE RAILWAY. A party then accompanied the Minister in motor cars to Mr R. Wyher's farm between Titipua and Glencoe. There they were met by about, a dozen settlers from the Titipua and nearby districts who wished to urge the importance of a railway connecting Gore anti Hedgchopc. and ♦hits linking up the eastern and western district... The depuration was introduced by the Hon. G. -I. Anderson. M.P. for Mntaurn. Replying to some '.von!? of welcome extended by Mr .1. Mclntosh, Mr Coates said that he realised that the Department could not undertake all kinds of work, but it had to concentrate on those most necessary and to push on main trunk linos and branch lines that had been, lying unfinished. It was for his engineers to decid“ what was the most necessary. He understood that New Zealand's greatest need at the present time was production, an'!, in order that they might pro. tin e the utmost possible quantity farmers had to be given decent facilities. Mr Anderson said that the line from Hedgehope to Gore hj id be-’n lair! years ago. At that, time practically id! the land in the vicinity was one huge black which had been sub-divided since. To ei-nhle the best cultivation to be carried out the land needed limes and man j/-’ . which, v.-ider present conditions, were .-’ifficuit of access. The settlers between Grre anrl Winton were so convinced of the nerd tor a railway that they wer" prer red to he rated to meet any difference betv.wn rice maintenance cost of the railway and th" revenue. Mr J. Grahr.!!'., in emphasising the need for a railway, it.ertioned that there were ample coal and lignite deposits to be tapped in the district. Waino and Nightcaps coal was s-wit to Dunedin in large quantities and a direct line, in this respect alone, would be greatly advantageous. Mr Martin (Mayor of Gorei said in this connection that in times of shortage lignite was sent as far north as Christchurch. These speakers and Messrs Nichol, Mclntosh and Kerr emphasised the arguments that have been previously reported in the Times. "I think that the arguments are quits sound.” announced Mr Coates amidst applause. "It is just a question of what work can be undertaken. I shall go into the question very carefully. There were certain reports prepared 10 years ago, but conditions hav? changed considerably since then. I ahull ask my engineers to give me a report. I will then consider the matter very carefully myself and, after conferring with (Mr Anderson, let you know the result.” Of course, he went on, there were other places throughout, the country calling out for something similar, but he had not had time to know the position at all. He had learned a little about this request and what he could see was in favour of it. (Applause). The country seemed to lend itself, being good and clean, although he would not call it rich. The matter of the weight of the proposed railway would have to be considered and the question of money always came up—especially when dealing with the Minister of Finance. He would make no promises—that was not the time for them. Three cheers were heartily given for the Minister after Mr .Anderson had thanked him for the patient hearing received. The party were then the guests of Mrs Wyber at afternoon tea. Mr Martin returned thanks to Mrs Wyber for her hospitality, *nd more cheers were given for the hostess. THE MATA UR A BRIDGE. At the township of Mat aura, the Mayor (Mr J. Louden' met and welcomed the Minister, who received a deputation from the Council in regard to the traffic bridge. It was c-tirnated. cc 1 Mr Louden, that it would take MCI r pair the bridge, and it was considered that it would be better to build c. concrete one vrith a footbridge on each side, costing r.botp £7"O0. It was suggested that the Borough, the County Council and the Department should each nay a third. In answ"r to the Mind,-tor, Mr Louden said that th-’ Borough V total liability wa« £14.000. and it had an income of £ISOO. Having in-pected. the bridge, (he Minister said that he vv'• ■ll ■ 1 have a report prepared and would g>> into the matter. THE RAILWAY STATION. The Mayor furl iter requeued that Mr! Co -tcs -honl' Ini-v: under 1 h" notice of the 1 Mitd'-.-r of R.il.vays the desirability of | building Ihe new edit .urn -nation on im ; other than d ■ forti'-'r tp- f.-.'-ir..'; to its being ’ the least- d:-o—h-p, mM ~f building it in brick or v re. i A mem!" d d'-put Won suggested, .locular!’.', that •; for the proposed i jlr..!-...;....... rad"," 1 ! be in'-huied. ■ The }'■ f‘ 'ante i live miles nearer I a direct w" ■ rhr n G. g,-, I Tore Mim-t-r: I ah ill be guided by my engineers as to wh"re the rat 1 way shell go : -;d a good derd by 'b'lii as to when. Were you fjoinpr to : iTf! l *”r ' i-hmuira n> ci prtflcM*- ; able terminus re t Etc ? i Th" Meyer ' h"sitatuedy i : No. Th." Mi:d-ter: if y u vr-re I should have ! hung my ha.’, on it. The Mitd.-ter an 1 his party then left for Invercargill. To-day the reclamation works i and the Borstal Institute will be visiter], Mr routes being also Minister in Charge of i Prisons. i