HON J. G. COATES’ TOUR

Hokitika Guardian, 17 March 1922, Page 3

HON J. G. COATES’ TOUR

(From a Correspondent.)

The Hon. J. G. Coates had a wet journey to Hari Hari from Fergusons, on Sunday afternoon, Mr Coates was the guest of Mr J. McLean for the night. A deputation was held the following morning at the hall; a large representative gathering of settler's attending. Several urgent works were brought before the Minister. Peterson’s Road—The reinstating of the vote for this work was strongly urged by Messrs Wm. Thiele and J. McLean; who stated this was one of the most urgent works required The extension of the lower flat road also, was strongly urged by Messrs J. Hewer and Wm. Searle. They offered to do the work and wait- until money was available. Several small matters of local interest were also brought forward for the Minister’a consideration’. The Minister left for Wataroa at 11 a.m. on Monday reaching there at noon The Minister was met by several of the settlers who brought before him a few of the urgent works. The extension of the flat Road to the sea coast was urgently asked for. The several speakers stressed the point that this road would open up a large area of country suitable for dairying.

Mr Mcßride asked on behalf of th« Wataroa Racing Club for betetr access to the racecourse in the shape of a bridge across Mcßride’s Creek. Mr Richardson asked that a road he constructed from the Loan Block to the main South road, so that when the AVaitangi bridge is erected, they may get to the factory when the river was flooded. Air R. Ecelesfield endorsed previous speaker’s remarks. Air Northcroft thanked the Minister in, getting tenders called for the AVaitaiigi Bridge and asked that the small streams on the main road should he bridged as soon ns funds were" available.

Only a short time was spent at AVataroa before proceeding to Okarito, reaching there at 2 p.m. Alter lunch the settlers met the -Minister at tho Court House.

Mr J. Donovan and several other settlers asked that, when the financial position of the Dominion improved, the improvement of the port should he attended to.

It was explained that the freight on sleepers to Hokitika had risen from 6d to 2s per sleeper and also that the freight on goods to Okarito was excessive, although the boat was subsidised by the Government.

Messrs Donovan, Friend and Vincent requested a road lie constructed on the south bank of the AYataroa, to give access to their property. Several other matters were brought before the Minister and spoken on by settlers interested.

Ah- Donovan thanked the MinistOij for Hie wa v in which he had received the deputation and wished him a pleasant trip in the far south. The people of Okarito turned out- in force, in fact I did not think there were so many people around’. They gave the Alinister an old time welcome.

The people oi' the Waiho met the Minister on Tuesday morning the 14th; Mr Coates was not in good form on Monday suffering from a heavy cold; he was better this morning. The settlers turned up in force and were modest in their requests; keeping them down to one big one. which I must say they stressed, the urgency of very emphatically, namely, the Waiho Bridge. Messrs J. Donovan, A. Graham, T.. Gibb., and Schilling spoke in reference to the urgency of the work. Mr W. H. Chinn M.C.O. introduced the various deputations. Mr Coates in replying promised consideration to the various requests put forward. He was out to do his best for the backblocks settlers. He recognised they were having an uphill fight and if he could make it easier he would do so. If the tenders for Waitangi bridge were reasonable the work would go on at once and he recognised the next urgent work was the bridging of the Waiho He expressed his appreciation of the warm welcome given. The party then left for Wehelca.