MINISTER OF PUBLIC WORKS.

Hokitika Guardian, 24 February 1921, Page 4

MINISTER OF PUBLIC WORKS.

TRIP TO BANKS PENINSULA. | (Christchurch Press.) Mr Coates spent an enjoyable day on Sunday in motoring through Banks Peninsula. He was accompanied by the Hon. Sir Heaton Rhodes, who previously represented the district in Parliament, and Mr T. E. Y. Seddon, M.P. The party also included Messrs R. Macartney, 'A. Goodwin (chairman of the Banks Peninsula Electric Power Board), L. Birks (chief electrical enginer), F. W. Furkert (chief engineer Public Works Department), and A. ... . , t i : .1 Air

Qavey (district eiectnccu --- . p K Climie, organiser of the Cnntcrbury Progress League, also motored to Akaroa. The weather was perfect and the Minister greatly e '>joye<l the motor trip, •md. like Mr Seddon. who was also making his first visit, was much impressed with the glorious view and the apparent prosperity of the country. On arrival at Akaroa shortly after 1 p.m. the visitors were entertained to luncheon at the Ilfracombe Private Hotel by the Akaroa County Council nnd Akaroa Borough Council. Mr G. Armstrong, Mayor of Akaroa, welcomed Mr Coates to the district, and also Mr Seddon and hoped that they would repeat their visit. They were also pleased to welcome back their old representative Sir Heaton Rhodes. Mr P. Thacker, chairman of the County Council, also extended a hearty welcome to the Ministers and Air Scd-

j don, and Mr A. Goodwin said that the I motor trip would enable the Minister ] of I’iiblie Works to see wliat a splendid j country the Peninsula was. As it was Sunday they would not then talk of business—their wants could be presented 'Mi the Minister at another time.

Mr Con os. in replying, said he was o ad it was Sunday, because that left hint free to enjoy the Peninsula's hospitality and scenery without hearing requests for Government assistance. He congratulated the settlers on the prosperity of the bays’ district as he had seen it that day, and said that the fact that they were men who were prepared to do the best for themselves made them deserving of receiving lavon rable consideration from the Government in their requests in connexion with the hydro-electric extension and other matters; hut he made it a practice not to talk business on a Sunday. The Hon. Sir Heaton Rhodes and Mr Seddon also acknowledged the wel-

< nine, Early in the afternoon the motor-cars loft Akaroa, and, taking the stiff climb up Long Ray road, Summit road was reached and traversed, enabling the travellers from their high altitude to get views of the settlements in the bays and see the snug homesteads clinging to the richly-clad hills. \ detour was made to Pigeon Bay, where afternoon tea was enjoyed at Mr A. Goodwin’s residence, and then the (Ministers and party left for Christchurch, which was reached, about 8 o’clock the whole trip covering a trout 130 miles.