MINISTERIAL MOVEMENTS.

Waikato Argus, Volume IV, Issue 238, 22 January 1898, Page 2

MINISTERIAL MOVEMENTS.

The Hon. Mr A, J. Cadmao, Minister for Railways, accompanied by two nieces and Mr B. M. Wilson (private secretary), paid a flying visit to Hamilton on Thursday, arriving from Bombay by the express train, and proceeding to Cambridge by the train 'in the afteruoon.

The Hon. Thos. Thompson, Minister for Justice, rvith Mr C. Matthews (private secretary), arrived here by the morning train from Paeroi on a tour of inspection. The hon. gentleman visited the police stations, and we understand that he was rather astonished at the delapidated condition of the buildiug in Hamilton West.

During their stay Mr Matthews called at the Courthouse, but found that place closed as usual, on account of tho abrence of the clerk upon departmental business in another part of his extensive district.

Both the Ministers received several deputations, but they were mostly of a private nature. His Worship the Mayor (Mr W. Dey) and the Town Clerk (Mr 0. J. W. Barton) interviewed the Hon. Mr Cadman regarding the £SO still due from the Government for work that has been done at the Hamilton Traffic Bridge approach. The deputation pointed out the seemingly unnecessary delay in the payment of the balance of the grant, aud iu answer to a question why the department had not been communicated with before, stated that there had been a constant stream of correspondence extending over some months. The Minister expressed his ignorance of the facts, and promised to give the matter his earnest attention upon his return to Wellington.

Mr Cadman proceeded to Cambridge in the afternoon, and in the evening received a deputation which waited upon him at the National Hotel, in reference to the request that railway tickets should be granted to Cambridge, extending over two months in place of one. The deputation consisted of the Mayor (Mr Bach), Miss. Harris, and Messrs Clarke, Dickinson, Hartly and Bond. Mr Bach, in introducing the business, pointed out that correspondence had passed between the Borough Council and the Department which in his opinion was not satisfactory, inasmuch as the reason given for not grauting the request was insufficient. Cambridge was now recognised by the medical faculty as a place well adapted for the beneficial residence of invalids, particularly for those suffering from chest complaints. Iu his opinion the granting of the concession could not possibly do any harm to the Department, and would certainly be of benefit to invalids and the business people of the town. Mr Bond thought that Cambridge had as good a claim to the same privileges as places like Te Aroha, on the grounds of the curative qualities of its climate and the importance it had attained to as a health resort. •Mr Clark said the concession would add to the railway revenue. Miss Harris said tint it had been proved beyond dispute that invalids had greatly beneficed by a temporary residence in Cambridge, and that many would have liked to extend their stay beyond a month. Mr Bach said that the Borough Council had ordered a series of photographs of the town with the view of having them exhibited in Auckland and other places, in order to attract visitors.

Mr Cadman said he seldom went anywhere that he did not receive a deputation.asking for reductions or concessions. During the last three years over £IOO,OOO had been conceded, and in order to deal with the consequent increased traffic, a large addition had been made to the rolling stock. Were he to make all the reductions asked for he would require an immense amount of money. During last session he had got a vote of £200,000 for additional rolling stock and engines. The Government policy was to get .3 per cent, of profit on the working of the railways. Last year the lines had returned 3x per cent, and the Government had determined to make considerable reductions, but the serious losses from flood in Hawke's Bay and on the West Coast had compelled them to exercise great cautioun in dealing with the revenue. He was glad to learn there was a prospect of a good grain traffic in Waikato this year, but he feared there would be a considerable falling off in the South. Te Aroha and Rotorua had special concessions because they were practically Government townships. There were mauy places iu the South where people went in search of rarified air, and were he to grant a concession to Cambridge many other places would ask for the. same privileges. He admitted that these reductions would secure increase of traffic, but this would entail increased rolling stock ; whatever changes were made would have to be brought about gradually. It would perhaps surprise the deputation to learn that the tickets issued at 2d and Id return during the holiday seasons were the lowest in the world, and he was glad to see that the reductions were appreciated. He would give attention to the matter brought to his notice by the deputation when he returned to Wellington. Mr Bach thanked the Minister for his courtesy, and the deputation withdrew.

The President of the Waikato Farmers' Club (Mr H. Gil'ett) and Mr G. E. Clark waited en the Minister re a reduction in freight: on straw. The arguments advanced were that this year there would be a lot of straw in Waikato to dispose of, but the rate of over 40s per truck to Auckland, only carrying 2-£ tons, was prohibitory. "The Minister promised to look into the matter, but he was of the opinion that the present tariff was down to cost price. The deputation next referred to the large number of old pattern rcattle trucks still on the line, and reminded him of the promise previously given that by a given date, long since passed, they should all be replaced or converted. The Minister said he hoped to get the .matter rectified at an early date. The £200,000 voted would be largely devoted towards providing rolling stock. He was next asked for a caretaker for the Hautapu station. /Die deputation pointed out the large amount of business done there and the great incouyeivence from the lack of anyone to give information and receive consignment notices, instead of consignors having to wait till the trains come aud give them to the guard. The Minister said a large number of fhg stations were in similar positions to Hautapu, but he would look into the matter, and if sufficient business were done and anyone were available to take the po ition probably a caretaker would be appointed. The deputation then asked that Cambridge be treated as if only 100 miles from Auckland. At present, it being 36 chains above that distance, caused the freight on parcels to be nearly double what it would be for 100 miles only. The Minis;er gave little hope of an alteration, but he said he would look into it.

The Hon. Tlios. Thompson returned by the ordinary train to Auckland yesterday morning. The Hon.. Mr Cadman drove over to Morrinsville, and then proceeded in the afternoon train to Te Aroha."