MINISTERIAL VISIT

Hokitika Guardian, 19 May 1920, Page 4

MINISTERIAL VISIT

Tlje Hon J. G. Coates, Minister of Public Works and Defence, and Postmaster General arrived on the Coast on Monday afternoon about 3 o’clock, appropriately coining . through tbe Arthur’s Puss Tunnel. t Mr Coates was acompanied by Hon J. Grimmond, M.L.C. in the absence oi' Mr Seddou M.P., who was willed suddenly to Wellington on Saturday night.

At Otira Mr Coates was interviewed by the tunnel workers, and left about 4 o’clock for Kumara, where he arrived about 6.30 o’clock. The Minister - was welcomed by the Mayor of Kumara, Mr It. McGlono and later was interviewed by that gentleman and the Town Clerk (Mr Paminent). Several private deputations waited on the Hon Minister also.

Yesterday accompanied by the County Chairman and Mr Murdoch of the Westland County Council the Ministerial party motored through Goldsborough and Stafford to Arahura where the mem hers of the Westland County Council were mot and introduced. Several works affecting protection and bridge repairs in the Arahura Valley were inspected and proposals gone into. Later the party went to Humphreys and inspected the dredge in operation. After lunch at the Greyhound Hotel; the party motored to Lake Kanieri and crossed to Dorothy Falls which were seen at their best. /The. Minister was entertained at the Lake side hotel, and re-; turned to town about 6 o’clock taking deputations at night.

DEPUTATIONS AT HOKITIKA

The Minister met deputations at the County Chambers last evening at eight o’clock.

There; were present Messrs T. W. Bruce, (County Chairman), S'. G. Ferguson, T. W. Huff, L. H. Morel, B. Ward, T. R .Chesterman, E. A- Wells, J. A .Murdoch, and Hon J. Grimmond (Councillors); The Mayor of Hokitika, (Mr G .A. Perry) ; Chairman of Harbour Board, (Mr R. Wild); and a number of others including representatives of tbe Chamber of Commerce and Automobile Association.

Mr Bruce, (County Chairman), extended a very hearty welcome to the Hon Air Coates, to Westland, expressing the hope that the visit would bo a pleasant one. He was glad to welcome the Minister, whom he had recognised in the' short time he had been with them, that lie was a real live wire, and would bo doubly welcome as a result. He extended again a very cordial welcome to the district, hoping lie would enjoy his visit. (Applause).

Hon Mr Coates said he wished to heartily thank tbe Chairman for the very Kind welcome given and the kindness extended to lum since his arrival in Westland. He recognised that the position of Minister of Public Works was no light one. lie had taken up the job knowing what it meant and he would do his-utmost to carry it through successfully. . Ho had made up his mind to face the problems and difiiculties that would confront him. tie recognised the difficulty of access and particularly of transportation in all parts of New Zealand required every attention and assistance. There was 'an urgent necessity to increase production and he knew how necessary it was for the fanners to be able to get their products to the easiest markets. This was only a quick flying trip to Westland, and lie die not wish the people to think for a moment that lie would be able to get an insight to all their requirements. He wished to meet (lie members of the local bodies and to meet the staff of the Department which were scattered all over New Zealand. He did not think he was worthy of the Chairman’s reference to a live wire, but he did realise what has to be faced and was mapping out .the objective and would tlien. endeavour to accomplish the job. Everything depended on the amount of money available but they must realise that the day of the wheel-barrow had gone and that the day of machine had come. This trip of his through New Zealand was only a flying one and he was not going into details. He would be very pleased to listen to their requests and the difficulties under which they were labouring. What lie desired to bring about was a spirit of co-ordination and cooperation between the local bodies and the Public Works Engineers. It would lie wise to always map out their programme ahead on practical experiepce lines, and when a course of action was approved to start off with a united effort. All must aim in the same direction if they hoped to make a proper success. He thanked them for their cordial reception and the Chairman’s kindly references to himself which ho appreciated very much. (Applause).

The Chairman then invited members to bring forward matters affecting the various .ridings. Each member as lie spoke joined in expressions of cordial welcome to the Minister, expressing the' the hope that the visit would prove an enjoyable one. Diliman’s Rdiing,—Mr Murdoch refer red to the following matters especially urging attention to the request for renewal of Harris Creek Bridge. The several matters were:— (a) Small brdiges on crossings, Christchurch Road. (b) Kawhaka-TJpper Crossing road, reopening, £3OO. (c) Kumara Junction-Awatuna road vote expenditure, £SOO. (d) Harris Creek Bridge. The Minister stated No 1 was gradually being carried out and would he carried on to completion while a report was promised to he obtained in reference to the latter request.

Stafford Riding.—Mr Duff asked for attention and consideration to

(a) Footbridge at Hungerfords, with north approach, £250. (b) Grant towards Malfroy’s traffic bridge £250, £ for £. (c) Expenditure Awatuna to Arahura Road vote, '£soo. The Minister stated a report would he obtained as to the first request, and the others would he looked into. Arahnra Riding.—Mr Ward specially thanked Mr Contes for the great care and attention he had paid to the requirements of the district that day. It was the first time his heart had been gladdened by the earnestness and extreme oourtesy extended to matters brought under the Minister’s attention. He asked for a grant of £IOOO for Arahii ra ‘river protection. Mr Coates said he would confer with Mr Gillies and also see the Public True-

tee in Wellington as there was a native resorvo affected. He understood the local body would help do all it possibly can. Ho realised that it was a most difficult problem on the river front. Where public interests are endangered the Government will assist. It was a nice little flat and a good little flat and lie would view the position sympathetically and go into the whole question very carefully. The rofereuce made by Mr Ward to himself he thanked him kindly for. Ho did not want his office to bo a sinecure and he hoped at the end of his tenn, long or short, that it might be that lie would he able to satisfy one person that lie had done Ins duty and that was himself. Kanieri Riding—Mr Chesterman asked for: (a) Substantial grant for widening Kaniori Lake road road, £3,500; (b) approval of proposals Kaniori road bridge, £3OO. The Minister asked Mr Chesterman for a freo discussion as to the interests involved and expressed tli© opinion that the milling interests affected should assist considerably in the matter of funds for the widening and improving of tho Kanieri Lake road, as the work was partly required for commerii t! purposes. ' *

Atr Chesterman said that improvement was also necessary for the safety of tourist traffic.

Tho Minister said it was a beautiful lake and beautiful scenery, but the amount asked for was a big round sum for tourists use. His memories went back to. his boyhood days when he was in the backblocks and he was -still in favour of helping the cocky instead of the tourist. He asked the Council to reconsider the request and to let him known to what extent they were prepared to assist, with the help of the millers. \ » In connection with the second request he approved of a grant of £3OO £ for £.

Kokatahi Riding—Mr Morel drew attention to a number of matters stating these would be brought 'under personal observation, the next day. These were—(a) Expenditure road and bridge votes; (1) Municipal road bridge £300; (2) Wall road, £500; (b) Grant for white road improvement, £SOO £ for £; (c) Assistance towards drainage of swamp land Kokatahi and Koiterangi. In connection with the Municipal road bridge the Minister promised the work, already authorised would he put iu hand as soon ns possible. 'Rimu Riding—Mr Wells asked for attention to: (a) vote for improving road to Diggers sawmill site £150; (b) vote for road south Hokitika to Maliinapua Falls, £250.

The Minister said he was prepared to help the soldier hoys and the first work would be authorised.

Totarn. Riding—The Chairman supported a vote for road Ruatapu to Lake Maliinapua, £SOO. This was promised would he reported on. (bj) Bridging Little Waitaha river, main roaff vote.

(c) Extension Bold Head road. These were to he dealt with on Thursday. ' Oknrito Riding—Mr Ferguson drew attention to—(a) Bridging Little Wanganui river and protection ; (b) Bridging Waitangi river, expend presentvote £300; (c) Bridges, small dreams, main south road; (d) La- Fontaine drainage; (e) Hari Hari district telephone. The l'equets- were discussed on at some length, Mr Ferguson urging the necessity of the several works.

In reply to Mr Coates, Mr Gillies stated the piles had now been secured for the- Little Wanganui bridge, aud tenders would be called shortly for the work; that plans Bad all been made for the smaller bridges and they woulf he erected as labor was available. The Alinister promised every assistajnoe to enable a telephone to hie erecteff in Hari Hari district, Aar Searlc. (Hari Hari) stating the settlerwould place a proposal personally before the Minister.

Okuru Riding—Hon. Grimmond crew attention to the necessities of the Cm dorella of Westland, pressing forcibly the many requirements of the most southern district. These included: (a> Expenditure of votes; (1) Waikukup.i Bridge, £6OO ; (2) Slippery Face Deviation (most urgent) £500; (3) Main south road improvement Waiho to Welieka.; (4) Bridging Waiho ri car. Mr -Grimmond pointedly referred to the many delays and asked for more speedy attention. The Alinister gave an attentive hear

Air J. Ritchie also urged the requirements of the district at some length, his 45 years experiences in that district in pioneer work having made him fully conversant with the needs of the district.

General—Other matters brought before the attention of the Minister included—l. Extension South ., Westland railway; (2) Improvement Okarito port; (3) Landing at Bruce Bay; (4) Cattle loading wharf at Okura; (5) Improvement Haast Pass Track; (6) Hydro Electric Power Board.

' Mr T. E. T. iSeddon M.P. congratulated the speakers on the fluent manner in which they had placed the requirements of the district before th > Minister. He was glad to have Mr Coates, Minister of Public Works in this district and trusted the visit would be a pleasant one. He wps sorry that he was unable to be present .personally at the Otira tunnel the previous day He had suggested to Mr Coates the advisability of visiting the district, the longest electorate in New Zealand. He was sure they would take the opportunity of placing tlieir many requirements in the most favourable mannabefore the Minister, who would he fe’t sure give most favourable consideration to their representations. Mr G. Davidson (President) of the Westland Automobile Association, spoke in support of improvements required on Christchurch Road, offering to supply timber for small bridges; also asking for improvements on Kanieri Lake road, especially cutting off corners at several points; the bridging of the south rivers was also urged.

Mr Perham (Secretary) endorsed the references of Mr Davidson, strongly supporting the request for bridging ol the rivers, and urging the growing importance of the motor traffic, which was worthy of special consideration. Mr It. Wild (Chamber of Commerce) spok© in support of what was considered the outstanding necessity of the district—the construction of the bridges over the South Westland rivers. Tin's he

urged at some length, pointing out many of tho difficulties which the, district was laboring underarow'ng to tho want oi” better communication. In tho course of his reply to the several speakers, Hon. J/ G. Coates promised to go very carefully into .the representations made. He would talk the whole matter over with Mr Sc del on and Mr Gillies before b© loft tho district, and their representations would have his best attention. Mi - Coates referred at some length to matters brought before film and ugni" tliauked those present for the kindly reception given.' Mr Bruce thanked the Minister for the patient hearing given their long list, and felt sure that lie would give them every consideration and attention. SOCIAL GATHERING. Subsequently the Minister was entertained by the County Council at Mclntosh’s Club rooms which were taxed to their fullest extent, Mr Bruce presided, and a pleasant hour was spent the' toasts honored being—The King, Hon.J. >G. Coates, Air T. E. Y. Seddon, Mr D. J. Evans (as a special recognition of his- services ,in connection with the Royal visit) and the Chairman. The toasts were honored with enthusiasm raid the proposers < and responders spolco in most happy, terms, a .very enjoyable gathering resulting. THE BROGRIAMME. The Minister of 'Public Works is visiting; Kokatahi and Koiterangi today. To-night the Returned (Soldiers Association entertain ilie Alinister at the Drill Hall. To-morrow morning at 7 o’clock the party leave for Hari Hari, being due there about 11 o’clock. The serious river encroachment at ' Little* Wanganui will be inspected and after deputations the Party leave at 2 o’clock . for Grevmouth where a banquet will be tendered the Alinister at night. On Friday afternoon tile Minister motors to Reefton and W&stport and is due in Alariborough on Monday.