MINISTERIAL VISIT

Hokitika Guardian, 20 May 1920, Page 4

MINISTERIAL VISIT

i Yesterday the Hon. Minister of Pub--1 lie Works visited tire Kokatahi Riding of the Coiinty of AVestlawl, being escorted through the district by Air ,Sodden M.iP., the' County Chairman (Mr Bruce) and Hon. Grimmond and Mr L. Morel, Councillors. Air Coatos had. a- good view of both districts—Kokatahi and Koiterangi—and was impressed with the agricultural and pastoral /prospects. The proposed drainage scheme for the swamp lands was mentioned and viewing the large are,4 of country to bo treated from ‘Lang’s swamp upwards, he regarded the undertaking as one of greatest importance. Tiio Hon. Minister promised to confer with the Minister of Lands and endeavour.have a. drainage surveyor sent down as soon .as possible to prepaTe proposals for a. definite scheme for the district. Various County works were inspected. The improvement and extension of White road was gone into, also the bridging of Municipal Creek. For the latter work it was decided the Public Works take the matter in hand, and have the bridge erected by September Ist, a decision w'hich will give great satisfaction to the settlers affected. Mr Coates motored to Upper Kokatahi where the -potentialities of the locality in respect to water power md mineral deposits were pointed out. After luncheon at MeConnon’s Kokatahi hotel, the party motored through the Koiterangi district, going along the Borough road, and then as far as the Upper Station, where some .plendid herds of sheep and cattle were to be seen. The washout at ' Pigeon Creek prevented the party reaching (he Hokitika, Gorge and a return was made to Mr P. A. Harcourt’s homestead, where .the Minister and his party were entertained. The party returned lo town about 5.30 o’clock and last night the I-lon. Major Coates M.C., Minister of Defence was the guest of the Returned Soldiers Association at the successful ball, at the Drill Hall. Referring to the district tour yesterday, Mr Coates expressed surprise ,at tlie area of back .country so close to Hokitika suitable for dairy-farming. He considers there is.a great asset to the district in the , fine extent of land available for settlement. Mr Coates made several enquiries as to land values, ,-and for one well known area made a sporting offer to buy! He thought some of the country passed through was just the class of - land suitable for soldier settlements. While at the Kokatahi township Air Coates under the guidance of Air .Fleming, .Chairman of the Kokatahi Dairy Factory Cov., also inspected the butter factory, and made close enquiry into the working of the settlers’ co-operative factory.