MINISTER FOR RAILWAYS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10229, 4 May 1911, Page 5

MINISTER FOR RAILWAYS.

TIMARU. Last. Night. The Hon. J. A. Millar met the Harbour Board to-day, with a budget of subjects to consider: (1) The amount of compensation to the Board for 10£ acres reclaimed from the sea by the harbour works and required for railway purposes. (2) The differential railway rates on frozen meat north and south from Oamaru. This is much in favour of Port Chalmers, with a longer distance and uneven road. Tiie shortage of trucks. (3} The cargo sheds on the wharf. (4) The better railage, facilities for the fishing industry. (5) Fencing the railway alongside Washdyke Point line.

Mr J. Craigie, M.P., pointed out that much of the. reclaimed land would let for business purposes at a rent equivalent to £4OO an acre capital value. ' The Minister said the law provided that the reclaimed land can be taken for State purposes on the payment of the cost of reclamation. In this case the reclamation was not the result of expenditure for- the purpose. The circumstances were, however, unusual, and he wished: to deai fairly. At the same time the Board should •consider that the extension of the railway yard would be a benefit to the town and district.

; Mr .Craigie said 'the Board asked £12.000' ner acre.

The Minister said they could not pay so much. He suggested ' that the new Board make.an offer to him, and he would make one to the Board. If the land was made dear he would have to do with less, and the town with a smaller yard. The Department would, have spent about £20,000 if they got the 10i acres, in altering the yard. As to the shortage of trucks, they could not afford to hare a lot of trucks lying idle 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 if required. With reference to fencing the railway, he said three or four hundred: miles of line required fencing. The section referred to should be put oh next year's Estimates for consideration. Regarding frozen meat rates, he said he would not deal with a single case. There were three other eases, and he meant to deal with all four, abolr isnifg differential if possible. He promised to try and help the fishermen by causing the evening train to run through to Christchurch instead of Ashburtom He only suggested that the fishermen should cooperate in selling in Christchurch, as there was too big a difference between thevpriee they get and what the consumer pays.