THE MINISTER OF RAILWAYS

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2508, 22 May 1909, Page 5

THE MINISTER OF RAILWAYS

VISIT TO WESTPORT.

(Per Press Association.)

WESTPORT,- Stay 21. The Hon. .J. A. Millar, Minister of Railways and Marine, inspected the Wcstport-Mokohinui line, yesterday, and at Ngakawau was entertained at dinner by the Stockton Coal Company. Several deputations were received, the Minister stating to one from the Westport Harbor Board that, if it had a surplus in revenue, it should reduce the haulage charges on coal, as coal must be made cheaper in order to successfully compete against outside. The development of the harbor was, however, the. first consideration, so as to make it possible to ship coal by large vessels to foreign markets. Incidentally, the Minister mentioned that local bodies must not think they are going to have unlimited borrowing power. The Government was determined to exercise greater care in granting autlioiitv until things are on a sounder basis. On his return to town, the Minister •met several deputations. One was from a public meeting urging that the Harbor Board should get the advice of bne of the best authorities m works in regard to the possible improvement of Ihf port before, the £2O 000 .loan money was expended. The Minister stated •that he must first have a report from 'che Engineer-in-Chief, Mr. Holmes. Jn the evening the Minister av as entertained by a large and representative fathering. The majority of the speeches emphasised the desire for harbor ' ' prove men ts to make foreign , naikets possible, and so lead to the development if the extensive coal-bearing areas in the vicinity of the Westpqrt-RLcfton ' d The v Minister ' left f° r Nelson this forenoon. •