FLOODS ON WEST COAST

Dominion, Volume 20, Issue 43, 15 November 1926, Page 8

FLOODS ON WEST COAST

PUBLIC WORKS MINISTER INSPECTS BY Telegraph.—press association Reefton, November 13. The Minister of Public Works (Hon. K. S. Williams) arrived in Reefton at noon on Saturday from Greymouth (receiving deputations en route) and inspected the flood damage caused by the Mawheraiti river. He left for West port the same day, viewing the destroyed bridge at Larry’s Creek on the way and also the damage in the Inangahua and Buller Valleys. MINISTER AT WESTPORT. Westport, November 14. The Hon. K. S. Williams, Minister of Public Works, arrived last evening from Reefton, where, and en route, he inspected the flood damage. He was accorded a civic reception by the Mayor, Mr. C. N. Greenland, on tliis the Minister’s first visit to Westport. Mr. H. E. Holland, M.P. for the electorate and Leader of the Opposition, Mr. J. H. Powell, chairman of the Buller County Council, Mr. J. Menzies, ex-Mayor of Westport, and Mr. F, S. Wood, for the Buller Progress League, also spoke in welcome, to which the Minister, in reply, thanked the speakers and expressed, regret that his first visit should b® made.at a time when such a disaster was wrought by flood. He intended to make a full inquiry while here and to the adjoining districts, and see what could be .done in the way of relief. To-day the Minister, accompanied by the staff engineers and representatives and. citizens of Westport and Buller County*, inspected the river bank at the sites of the worst encroachments, also inspecting homes typical of all those that suffered flood damages. The Minister will make a tour of the coastal road as far as Tiromoana on Monday, and take deputations in the evening, leaving overland for Nelson to-monw.