HON. J. A. MILLAR AT TIMARU

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 292, 4 May 1911, Page 5

HON. J. A. MILLAR AT TIMARU

A BUDGET OF BUSINESS. By Telegraph.—Press Asasoiation. Timaru, Last Night. The Hon. J. A. Millar met the Harbor Board to-day with a budget of subject* to consider: (1) the amount of co«« pensation to be paid to the board for 10% acres reclaimed from the sea by, harbor works and required for railway; purposes; (2) differential railway rates for frozen meat north and south from Oaraaru, much in favor of Port Chalmers, with a longer distance and an uneven roadj (2) shortage of truoka; (4) cargo sheds on the wharf; (5) befc ter railage facilities for the fishing industry; (6) fencing the railway alongside the Washdyke Point line. Mr. J. Craigie, M.P., pointed out that muctt of the reclaimed land was let for buafc at a rent equivalent to ' £4OOO an acre on the capital value. The Minister said the law provided that reclaimed land can be taken foi State purposes on payment of the cost of reclamation. In this case the reclamation was not the result of expenditure for the. purpose. The circumstances, hotyeve*, Jwefe unusual, and he wished to deal fairly. At the same time the board should consider that the extension of the railway yard would benefit the town and district.

Mr. Craigie said the board asked for £12,000 per acre.

The Minister said he could not paj so much. He suggested that the ne*r board should make an offer to him, and he would make one to the board. If the "hind was made dear he would have to do with less, and the town with a smaller yard. The Department would have to spend about £20,000, if it got the 10% acres, in altering the yard. As to the shortage of trucks, the Department could not afford to have a lot of trucks lying idle for most of the year to save a little delay to shipping now and then. As the wharves belonged to the board they must build sheds il they were required. Re fencing the railway, he said three or four hundred miles of line required fencing. The section referred to should be put on the next year's estimates for consideration. Regarding the frozen meat rates, lie said he would not deal with a single case. There were three other cases, and he meant to deal with all four, abolishing tlx- differential rates, if possiMe. He promised to try to help the fishermen by causing the evening train to run through to Christchurch instead of to A'Mmrton only. He suggested that the fishermen should co-operate is selling in Christchurch, as there was too big a difference between the price they get and what the consumer pays.