HAWKE'S BAY NEEDS.

Press, Volume LVI, Issue 16854, 7 June 1920, Page 7

HAWKE'S BAY NEEDS.

MINISTER'S STATEMENT.

(press association telegram.)

NAPIER, Juno 6

The Minister of Public Works arrived at Napier on Saturday evening, and was waited on by a number of deputations from all parts of the East Coast relative to the district's requirements. Mr J. Vigor Brown, M.P., introduced tho speakers. . Mr C. Ellison, representing the East Coast Railway and Development League, pleaded for a vigorous prosecution of tho East Coast railway. Mr A. E. Jull pointed out that work could bo commenced simultaneously at Napier, Wairoa, and Gisborne. Mr It. M. Chadwick asked for a definite assurance that work on the Waikaremoana hydro-elec-trio scheme would be proceeded with, and Mr M. Beamish said that plenty of labour was available for the work. Mr W. Oates (Tokomaru Bay) and Mr A. Sinclair (Wairoa) asked for improved roads, and Mr H. I. Simson (Hawke's Bay Rivers Board) asked for a £10,000 grant towards flood protection. _ Mr Ellison, a representative of the Napier Chamber of Commerce, asked for preservation of the Native bush around "Waikaremoana; Mr S. McLernon pressed tho claims of a new Napier post office, and Mr R. L. Paterson and Mr J. H. Edmundson mentioned the desire of business men for telephone lines between Napier and "Wellington, and Napier and Taupo respectively. Mr Barrv asked for improved road access to Putorino soldier settlers. Representatives of the Hastings Chamber of Commerce, including Mr H. M. Campbell, 31.P., put forward reasons for draining tho Poukawa Lake. The Minister, in reply, expressed a desire for information, and said that the work of the Public "Works Department must go on in a businesslike way. He could not make any definite promises. Numerous works were now hampered by dearth of machinery and material, but the outlook was much better, and tho position should be normal in twelve months. He preferred the contract system in public works. The Government's policy was for quick development, and letting of contracts for Waikaremoana road works was the simplest scheme, and the work would bo completed perhaps sooner than Mangnhao. The Minister said he realised the importance of a good road be tween Napier and Gisborne, And haying the road finished as soon as possible. Ho promised to pet a report on the flood question, and said he would support the preserving of Native bush. As for public buildings, the policy was aa already reported in Auckland. The telephone extension, as asked, depend-j ed on material. i