MINISTERIAL VISIT

Hokitika Guardian, 4 June 1921, Page 3

MINISTERIAL VISIT

HON G. J. ANDERSON, MINISTER OF MINES AND LABOR,

The Hon. G. J. Anderson, Minister of Alines and Labor arrived here yesterday by the excursion train from Greymouth at 12.45 p.m. The Hon. Minister was accompanied by Hon. J. Grintmond, M.L.C. Mr T. E. Y Seddon, AI.P., Air Kimhell, Under Secretary for Alines and Air Sherwood, Private Secretary. The Mayor of Hokitika (Air G. A. Perry) accompanied by the Town Clerk (Mr A. A. Andrewes) met the Minister and extended a welcome to Hokitika. The Hon Alinister was introduced to a number of citizens on the platform, and subsequently drove to Keller’s hotel. After lunch the party motored to the State School grounds, and todk part in the function there. Later the Alinister, escorted by Air Seddon visited the Hokitika raee course, and afterwards took deputations at Keller’s hotel. In the evening the party at the invitation of Mr B. Ward, County Chairman, attended the picture entertainment at the Princess Theatre.

Tin's morning almut 9 o’clock the party motored to South Hokitika, wheire Air. Cranston of the Electric Power Ltd, took the party over the large dredge in course of construction at Rimu Flat. Afterwards Rimu was visited and the party then motored on to Ross. On the return journey the Kanieri bridge was to be inspected, and later the party was to motor to Greymouth via Stafford, Goldsborough and Kumara.

The Ministerial party will be in Grcymo«th till Tuosflny morning. To-mor-row Hon. Anderson unveils the memorial at the spot where two members of the Alines Staff were foully murdered near Runanga. On Monday an inspection is to be made of some of the coal mines at Rewanui and in the evening deputations will be taken. The Alinisterial party visit's AVaiuta on Tuesday and then proceeds to Reef ton, and on to Westport and Nelson, en route to AVellington.

DEPUTATIONS. s

The Hon G. J. Anderson, Minister of .Mines, who arrived at midday yesterday, received deputations at Keller’s Hotel, at 5 p.m. The Westland County Council brought a number of matters before the Minister. Mr B. Ward (County Chairman) extended a welcome to Westland and wished him a pleasant stay in the district. The Mines Department had been an important one in the past as far as the West Coast was concerned, but mining hero had dwindled considerably of late.

Air T. E. Y. Seddon, AI.P., was presold, and a number of matters were brought forward-by .Messrs E. A. Wells, AV. Jeffries, J. A. Murdoch, J. Ritchie and the County Chairman, Air Seddon also sneaking in support to a number of them. The requests were set forth as follows:

1. Prospecting' Matters.—(a) Invite increased Government assistance for prospecting in remote and difficult places. (h) The publication in handy pamphlet forin of reports on auriferous localities compiled from Geological Department’s new series for the information of prospecting parties.

(<•) Inspection and report on coal seams traced at Koiterangi, with advice as to nature fit' prospering to be pursued regarding development. (d) AYliat,assistance or subsidy would be granted in respect to approved efforts for coal in the Koiterangi district.

Hon Mr Anderson in replying, thanked members for the welcome given. He recognised lie had come in rather difficult times, mining matters not being as flourishing as they used to lie. "With regard to prospecting there had betm an increase in the allowances and the amount of subsidy they were paying largely came to Westland. The Government were careful to see that they get some results. There had been resilts in the IMaekwater district and he hoped to have other successes. He was inclined to assist as far as possible. In regard to the pamphlets these had not been continued owing to the shortage of paper, hut lie hoped this year they would be able to resume the old system. Witli regard to Koiterangi coal they should send samples to get them examined and reported on. The question of assistance would bo considered when a concrete* proposal was placed lie fore him. If the report on this was favourable lie would assist.

2. Restoration of Kanieri bridge to wheel traffic. —Note: Bridge now closed to all wheel traffic, and traffic prohibition of greatest inconvenience to the communities affected, as well as to the public at large. It was suggested the bridge ("pending repairs being undertaken) should be kept open lor light, two wheel traffiec so that residents may procure regular domestic supplies without present inconvenience. Hon Mr Anderson said he would place their request before Mr Coates and point out the absolute necessity and recommend that it lie strengthened

temporarily for light traffic till proper repairs are effected.

Kumara 1 Junction Road on Railway Reserve. —lt was pointed out the Junction road on to the railway reserve was constructed many rears ago out of a mines vote. The Railway Department m»w asks for a deviation of the road to avoid the reserve* The plan sliws road on outside of formed reserve, clear of all railway traffic, and in any ease road access as at present must be maintained to the railway station. It was suggested that proposed road deviation will he unnecessary expenditure at present juncture, seeing that existing road access must be maintained to the station. In any case, Crown lands not available for the deviation suggested. Private land would have to be acquirtd at considerable cost and delay, if deviation persisted in. In the latter event, will the Mines Department make necessary grant for the work involved. Hon Mr Anderson said lie would place the matter before the Minister ot Railways. Mr Seddon had stated the cost of the work proposed by the Railway Department would be about £15,000 which was out of the question, while the Council did not want anything lake one-fifth of that expenditure. He would ask that something he done in a reasonable way to meet the requirements. of the sawmillers.

Hastening Construction Little Wanganui Bridge, South Westland.—Lately a proposal was put to the Public Works Department to proceed with work so as to ensure safe crossing for vehicles. Most of the native timber required now cut and available. Hardwood and iron work also procured. Desired two or three spans be erected over main stream to afford safe crossing, and public and local bodies arranging to find £3OO for temporary approaches to first section of the bridge, if Department proceed at once with work. The Minister was invited to urge Department to proceed with work accordingly. Bruce Bay Landing—lt was urged that this long delayed work ho undertaken without further delay. The Hon Air Anderson said he would put both matters before Hon Mr Coates for his best- attention. The Minister paid a tribute to the men and women who had gone down into the wilds of South Westland where he was told there was some of the finest grazing country in Now Zealand. All that district will have to be settled and would have his every support. He would urge that the bridge and landing be expedited. He recognised the South should have a good road for sheep and cattle to go right through to Otago or Southland and that soon. In the future the railway will have to go through to connect up with the Otago Central.

ANOTHER DEPUTATION. A, deputation from the Westland War Memorial Committee asked the Minister to consider their request to the Alinister of Customs to admit free of duty the war memorial. Mr Evans read correspondence with the Alinister of Customs, refusing to remit the duty, and stated that the memorial was being erected at a cost of £I4OO, all subscribed voluntarily. On previous occasions the Government had remitted the duty besides making a grant. On tlifs occasion, they were not asking for a grant. It was impossible to obtain a suitable marble or the workmanship in New Zealand. Mr H. A. Thompson supported the particulars gvien, stating it was impossible to obtain suitable marble or the workmanship in New Zealand.

Hon Mr Anderson said he was against sending out of New Zealand for anything that can be got in New Zealand. Wo should support our own industries more than we do. If it were shown it was impossible to obtain good marble in New Zealand with equally good work and must go to Italy for it then he would consider the support of their request, but they owed a duty to our own people and he did not think there was much chance of getting their request acceded to.

EDUCATIONAL. j A deputation of the Hokitika School I Committee, 'headed by Air AV. H. Shannon (Chairman) waited on, the .Minister, asking for the Hokitika High Scliopl Act to be amended by the addition of the word “District” in the title to enable the funds at be disposal of the High School Board to be utilised for the upkeep of the Hokitika District High School. Hon Air Anderson said be would be glad to assist them,' subject to the request having the approval of the Education Department. To give effect to their request it- would be necessary to put through a private Bill. They would have the great assistance of their member in the House as be did not know a member who does not bold your member in the highest respect and therefore he would have their assistance and sup]x>rt in carrying it through, but they would also have to get the approval of the Education Department oil the question of policy as to whether it would be wise to give a special concession to this District High School as j against all others. The matter would lie referred to Hon Mr Parr and Mr Seddon could confer with him in AA’el- ; lington on the mattes,