TARANAKI'S REQUIREMENTS.

Taranaki Daily News, 9 April 1919, Page 7

TARANAKI'S REQUIREMENTS.

PLACED BEFORE MINISTERS OF PUBLIC WORKS AND LANDS. , BY STRONG DEPUTATIONS. Various important' requirements of the progressive province of Taranaki were placed before the Hon. Sir William Fraser, Minister of Public Works, and the Hon. D. H. Guthrie, Minister of Lands, at Stratford on Monday night by a strong deputation representative of Taranaki local bodies and chambers of commerce. Mr. J. W. McMillan, mayor of Stratford, presided, and the following representatives were present: Stratford Borough, Crs. Hunter, Malone, Cameron, Walshe and Jackson j New Plymouth Borough: Mr. C. H. Burgess (Mayor), Crs. Clarke and Short, F. T. Bellringer (town clerk) and R. H, Bartley (electrical engineer); Patea Borough: Messrs Grainger and Davies; Eltham Borough: C. B. Crump (Mayor) and White; Waitara Borough: Mr. R. Morgan (Mayor); Htiwera Borough: Mr. Sturrock (engineer); Opunake Town Board: Mr. T. J. Mildenball; Kaponga Town Board: Mr. A. H. Guy; Hawera Gountv: J. B. Murdoch (chairman); Patea "County: G. V. Pearce, M.P.; Wairhate West County: T. McPhillip and Stevenson; Egmont County: W. R. Wright, W. C. Green, S. Campbell and T. H. H. Sinclair; Stratford County: E. Walter and T. R. Anderson; Eltham County: C. J. Belcher; Eltham Chamber of Conrmerce: Mr. Carman; Stratford Chamber of Commerce: Messrs. J. B. \ Richards and W. P. Kirkwood; Tara-1 naki Chamber of Commerce: F.S.Johns.: Messrs S. G. Smith, M.P. for Taranaki, and W. T. Jennings, M.P. for Taumarnnui, were also present. Apologies were received for the absence of Mr. C. A. Wilkinson, M.P. and the Mayors of Inglewood and Hawera. J. T. Quin, G. K. Bullard (Commissioner Crown Lands), J. Meslop (member) and H. H. Sharp (resident engineer) were also present. After the chairman had'-welcomed the Ministers to Stratford, Mr. W. T. Jennings, M.P., introduced the first deputation, which was on the subject of FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO SOLDIERS. Mr W. P. Kirkwood, chairman of the Taranaki War Relief Association brought before the Minister of Lands the n«ed for granting further asistance to soldiers on bush land, also for giving better facilities for baliot, and les3 restrictions in the transfer of house property owned by returned soldiers in towns. The Minister of Lands made a lengthy explanation. A ROAD DEVIATION. The Stratford Chamber of Commerce brought before the Minister of Public Works the deviation of the Waitui road, a length of five miles, so as to give easy communication with the railway at Douglas instead of a lengthy trip to Eltham as at present. < Mr. Sharp, resident engineer, is to report on the matter. EARLY TRAIN FROM WHANGAMOMONA. Mr. Walter (Chairman of Stratford County Council) asked that on one day in the week, preferably Monday, the Whangamomona train should arrive in Stratford at 8.30 a.m. so as to connect with New Plymouth and Wellington. The Minister promised to make representation in the proper quarter. The Ministers were thanked for their replies.