Sir Joseph Ward's Visit.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 7831, 25 May 1905, Page 2

Sir Joseph Ward's Visit.

A SEMES OP DEPUTATIONS.

Advantage was taken of the visit of Sir Joseph Ward (Minister for #£ Hallways) to New Plymouth foB several deputations to interview him at the Council Chambers on Wednesday morning. -OilTstroct Extension.— The Mayor (Mr R. CocK), Crsu Tfeoh, Collis, Cliff, Browne, Brooking, and Burgess comprised the first deputation, which waited on the Minister with reference to the OfU Street extension. The Mayor explained that the Council was taking steps to purchase property from the Harbour Board and MfNowman for the purposes of the extension, and wished the/tiovornment to grant a strip of railway, land one foot wide in order to make the street the full width of «6 feet und to give the right to cross the i line. The extension would be bene- * licial fo the Railway Uejautineat by providing belter access to the railway goods sheds. Tho Minister said he recognised the importance of the scheme. As a layman ho considered it feasible, but would have to submit the memorandum of proposals and plan to the engineer, to report whother there were unv engineering difficulties in tho way. Ho pointed out that the Department could only lease the foot of ground, in any case, and it was a, question, whether the Council' could) not take advantage of the "Public Works Act and make the street only 05 feet wide. He Uptight this , scheme was much better than the '• original pro|>osul, n nd he would do his best to help the Council. Ho would discuss the matter with the chief engineer as soon as he returned! to Wellington. As the question was a prosing one he would try and) send an answer by Tuesday, PROPOSED " HALL-BY-THK-SKA.*. Messrs J. A. Huberts, V. Berry, .1. A. Maisey (architect), Webster, and ■J. B, Connett. accompanied by Mr E. M. Smith, M.H.R., coniprfMxl a deputation in connection with the site for the proposed ••llall-bfc- the* Sea." The Mayor introduced the deputation and Mr J. A. Roberts produced the plans and explained the project to the Minister. The proposed site was on the sea bench, opposite tho <sl Terminus Hotel, the idea being to build the hall projecting above the rocky foreshore. The request to ths Minister was to acquire the right to build an that site, and roako a railway bridge as an approach.

It was pointed out that being, on Uw western side of the bridge the sit* I

was not likely to interfere with any futuro extension of Uie railway yard, Mr ConnoU, chairman of the IlarIraur Hoard, said that the Hallway Department's rights extended for 40 eel towards the breakwater, and tho rest of the forebhore was vested n the Harbour Hoard.

Mr 11. ltvrry, as lessee of the portion adjoining the railway ground, wuk present to say thai be had no objection to a portion of the leased land being devoted to the purpole* The. site could, if the Department objected to any of their land being used, be selected 40 or 50ft furthe* along the foreshore. Mr Hobertfi said that this could: bft done by extending the bridge. Sir Joseph Ward promised that at soon as tho plana were submitted to the Department to get a report by, one of tho Departmental engineers, fn undertaking to communicate with the deputation shortly the Minister congratulated the promoters upon their enterprise. It was a good tfgni to see such a project being put forward.

MOUNTAIN HOAI). Messrs Collis, Dockerill, Garner anil Carrington asked that the road to the mountain be completed. At present the rood was metalled for a distance » ,of seventeen mites from Hev Plymouth, and two miles from the mountain end, leaving a gap of two miles that was practically, impassible tat wet weather. Mr Coll id referred to the oHorts of tho comniittoo to popularise the resort, and said that (inadequate as the accommodation was—because of their limited moans—it was being largely visited. He handed the Ministor a list Knowing that during the / iuuit season the visitors includud no) ' less than 274 persons from all jjarts of the world. The deputation urged that every facility should bo afforded for travellers. Sir Joseph Ward, in a sympathetic reply, said the Government 'reoojf. nised that the Mountain Was a national asset, and it hail been widely advertised by the Tourist Department. When tourists came here it was only right that every tneana should, be afforded of getting to the resort. He .hoped during the next session to fret I authority for the completion of Uw rest of tho roud. He quite agreed to the sentiments expressed and would do all in his nower to further Uw work.

RAILWAY CHABOEB. Mr Foreman, of the National Dairy Association, brought under notice the charge ol Is 6d per ton f ojr butteri sent on trucks from the Moturoa Freezing Works to the wWarf. Total was considered excessive. Mr Council said ttial eonaiderlng tho small handling n charge of la would be considered reasonable. The Minister pointed out that tho Department, which had to be run on business lines, fixed a reMonubUi charge to cover the «ost averaged over the year, and pt>t for any particular period. A reduction would affect the whohj terminal charges throughout the colony, so' that he hud to bo very careful in dealing with charges. He was anxious to> help the butter trade when possible, and would loofe into the matter.