MINISTERIAL VISIT

Hokitika Guardian, 21 May 1920, Page 4

MINISTERIAL VISIT

HON COATES IN SOUTH WESTLAND.

Hcyti J. G. Coates, Minister of Public Works, wound up bis stay in Westland County yesterday with a whirlwind visit to South Westland. It was one of those

“restful” days which Ministers seem to delight in! Despite the rough night the Minister was riot to be baulked by the weather, and shortly after 7 o’clock yesterday morning the Minister and party set off by motor for Hari Hari. Those accompanying the Minister included Air Seddon M.P., the County Chairman (Mr llruce), Hon Grimniond, Messrs Ferguson and- Wells, Councillors, and Mr J. D. Gillies, Resident Engineer. The weather fared after passing Ogilvies, and a fine day was experienced. The run to Hari Hari was accomplished in 3 hours 45 minutes, including stoppages—which included- a tow over Waitaha ford. 1 The Minister was much struck by the bush scenery en route ,and quite enjoyed the run into South Westland. The main south road was in capital order for smart travel- - ling.

At'Hari Hari a of the settlers had foregathered, and a brief stop was made for introductions. The party now augmented by local motor ears then moved off to the Little Wanganui river, where the serious river erosion was inspected in detail by the. Minister. First the stop-bank was visited. This work is'now serving a good purpose at the point of erection, and a bank of silt is forming, but above tlieye is still erosion going on, and this encroachment is somewhat menacing to the homestead of Messrs Ferguson Bros. Higher up stream however, a large timber and stone crate is being'pushed out into the river to serve the double purpose, first of throwing the main body of the river into a mid-channel, and second to form a protection for the north approach to the traffic bridge, the erection of which will be begun as soon as possible at the site immediately below the crate. This work is of a substantial character and is being pushed forward rapidly under the personal direction of Overseer Fitzgerald and foremen (Mass and Petersen. The opinion seemed to be generally expressed by those inspecting the solid work in process of construction, that it would serve the purpose it was intended to achieve. Mr. Gillies explained that the north approach road to the bridge site would be brought up the river bank along Fergusons’ land, 'which would be protected ultimately by the stop-bap k.to 1)0 put in. The stopat the bridge site would be extended bnck to the terrace, and this solid work when completed should prove an efficient protection. Mr Coates made a minute inspection of the work, and crossed by one of the drays to the south bank to inspect the mid-stream channel, into which it is proposed to divert the main body of the water. .

On returning to Hari Hari several horsemen who arrived from Wataroa ; and Okarito districts were met and (introduced to Mr Coates, and expressed a desire for an interview later, which was arranged. At mid-day Mr J. McLean of Greymouth who was with the Ministerial party, invited the members to luncheon at Duart farm. Air and Mrs Patterson in charge, had prepared' in advance for the visitors and Mr AleLean’s hospitality was as usual very generous. .During the stay at. Duart, Mr Coates inspected the homestead, and was specially interested in the pedigree stock, for Air Coates is himself a successful breeder of stock. Duart farm is one of the “show” places of South Westland, and visitors cannot but fail to be interested in t.he general appointments and the excellent manner in which the farm is maintained. A considerable area of the lidding is swamp land,, and this is being brought into profit rapidly by tiie success of the drainage scheme which is being carried out. The proved example at Duart is an indication' as to what can be done with the many thousands of acres of swamp lands up and down the Coast.

DEPUTATIONS. ‘ There, was a large and representative gathering of settlers in the billiard room of Mr Whyte’s store to meet Mr Coates, who was introduced to the assemblage by Mr Seddon, and welcomed very cordially to the district. Little Wanganui bridge.—Messrs Searle, Thiele, Hansen, and the County Chairman urged this important public work. The Minister promised to have the bridge constructed as quickly as possible. He would use his influence to see that no time was lost. The necessary protection work would be carried out as quickly as possible. Bold Head road and bridge.—Mr Hansen asked for the transfer of the present vote for Waitaha bridge to Bold Head road work, and the settlers were prepared to find the balance to complete the road, end would erect a motor bridge over the present crossing on the main road. Mr Chinn supported saying there would be a saving of % miles in the distance to be covered, and avoiding a

hilly piece of road a saving would be made in cartage. Mr Hewer said the

estimate to complete Bold VHead road was £7,500.' The vote for 'Waitaha bridge was £4,800. This latter sum transferred would leave £2,700 for the settlers to find, plus another £SOO for the motor bridge spoken of. The settlers wpre satisfied they would recoup themselves by the saving in cartage. Hon

Grimmond supported the proposition, as did also Mr Hende who spoke of the facilities for metalling the new road. Mr Bruce likewise gave emphatic support to the request. The Minister in reply said he would have to look into the records and history of the case. The proposal meant stopping the bridge which had been authorised. Ho would also seek the advice of liis engineers, and as early as possible let them have a reply through Mr Seddon. Court sitting at Hari Hari.—Mr

Thiele asked that periodical court sittings be held at Hari Hari as the nearest Court was 35 miles away. The Minister promised to favourably recommend the request to the iVf.inister of Justice. Telephone Exchange.—Mr Hewer asked for the permission of the Department to run the proposed settlers’ line along the Government poles down the flat,

which poles the settlers had supplied originally free of .cost. The reply was

an affirmative, the Minister adding that under the new regulations party lines for six persons could be erected, and the settlors charged with the actual cost

only—nothing for supervision—repayment to be spread over ten years. Mr 1 Coates advised the settlers to -take up i

the Government offer on the linos mentioned. Okarito harbour.—Messrs Donovan (2), Schilling and N. Friend advanced a request to spend £15,000 as recommended in Air J. Thomson’s report for the construction,of a wall to ensure a good straight and permanent entrance. PaVticuiars were given as to the timber wealth of the district, and the resources in the way of export. The alternative to the monetary grant was to endow the port with an area of timber country, and from the sales and royalties funds could lie derived, to carry out the work. Air Coates Said the deputation put the matter very fairly. If the wealth was there in the timber as stated the work should bo done. He undertook to. see the Minister of Alarinc and .would ask him to look at the matter in a. different light to the reply conveyed in his last letter. He could not make a more definite promise than that, lint would see •most certainly that the representations made to him went before the responsible Alinister in charge.

This concluding the deputations, Mr Seddon thanked the Minister for his, kindness in coming south, and a very hearty vote of thanks was carried by .acclamation.

Mr Coates in acknowledging their kindness expressed the pleasure it was to him personally to get).out Into the country and meet the men who were helping so sturdily to make New Zealand the fairest country in the Southern Pacific. THE RETURN JOURNEY. It was after 3 o’clock before the party gilt away from Hari Hari to the aceompanyment of three cheers for the Alinister, Air Seddon, the County Chairman, and one qlieer for the Westland County Council. Short stops were nui.de at Pukckurn and Fergusons, and on arriv-

ing at ©Ross, the-Mayor (Air S. P. Evans) and Councillors met the Alinister and extended to him a welcome to Ross, regretting that his stay was so 7, r iof-—ten minutes. On behalf of the Council Mr Evans put forward a list of local requirements which the Minister stated he would go into, and the party were soon under way again, huriying north to keep an appointment at Greymonth. Hearty cheers were given as the Alinister motored away. At Rimu, the Mining Association, re-, presented bv Alessrs Baucke, Surgenor, Brooks and others waited on the Alinister relative 'to timber reservations throughout the district for mining purposes. Air Coates’ reply was entirely sympathetic with the request on behalf of the miners. ' . At Woodstock the representatives of the Diggers’ Sawmill Coy. met the Alinister regarding a supply of cast iron rails they were anxious to purchase for their undertaking. Mr Coates promised to make enquiry and see what could be done.

About 6.30. o’clock the Ministerial party departed from Woodstock, the next stop to be Greymouth. Before leaving Mr Coates expressed to Mr Bruce, County Uiinirman, bis thanks for all the kindness shown him and stating also he bad enjoyed his visit very much. The Diggers gave very hearty cheers for .the Alinister as his acr rushed off into the night—Greymouthbound.