DISTRICT REQUIREMENTS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXXV, Issue 3974, 3 July 1913, Page 5

DISTRICT REQUIREMENTS.

QUESTIONS IN THE HOUSE.. ' a . MINISTERIAL REPLIES. [BY TELEGRAPH—PARLIAMENTARY CORRESPONDENT] WELLINGTON, July 2. In the House to-day Sir James Car'toU (Gisborne) per Mr MacDonald, asked the Prime Minister whether the Government has considered the advisability of constituting si separate land district for Gisborne and the East Coast, which is embodied 1 in the Hawke’s Rav district, and whether the Minister will state what are the Government’s intentions in the matter? Mr Massey (Prime Minister) replied: “The matter is still under consideration, but it does not appear from the evidence before the Government that there is any need for the constitution of a separate land district.” Sir James Carroll, per Mr MacDonald, asked the Minister for Public Works when ho intends to invite tenders for the Waipaoa river railway bridge on the Gisborne-southwards line? Mr Fraser (Minister for Public Works) replied: “The plans of the piers have been forwarded to the district' Engineer Gisborne, with instructions to put the construction in hand at once. As soon as the plans for the steel superstructure ’are completed tenders will be invited for their construction and delivery at Gisborne. ’The erection of,the bridge will be carried out by the Department or provided for in the same contract. The same questioner asked the Minister for Public Works whether the 50 chains of formation recently let by contract represents all the construction work the Government intends doing this year upon the Gisborne southwards line beyond Ngatapa. Mr Fraser (Minister for Public Works) replied: “Certainly not?’ The next question was whether the Government intends to accept the offer of a post office site at Matawai, and if so will provision be made for more adequate post and telegraph conveniences ? Mr Rhodes (Postmaster-General) replied that- it had already been decided to separate accommodation for this Department’s purpose in the railway station buildings, when the o line reaches Matawai, which it is expected to do in about eight months’ time. The Railway Department was requested to provide for the necessary accommodation. Seeing, however, that a free site had been offered for a post office, inquiries would be made as to the desirability of erecting a post office building separate from the railway station. In the House to-day Mr. MacDonald gave notice to ask the Minister for Public Works whether he will include in this year’s Estimates provision for railway ’ construction being started from Opotiki westward. He also gave notice to as'k the Post-master-General when the Government intends to commence the construction of the telephone line from Whangaparoa to Opotiki. Sir Jas Carroll, per Mr MacDonald, wave notice to ask the Minister for Public Works whether provision is being made this session to give effect to much-needed additions to the Gisborne post office.