The Guardian (And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times.) -MONDAY, NOVEMBER 12th, 1923. A USEFUL VISIT.

Hokitika Guardian, 12 November 1923, Page 2

The Guardian (And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times.) -MONDAY, NOVEMBER 12th, 1923. A USEFUL VISIT.

It would appear that the recent visit of the Hon. J. G. Coates might be regarded as a very useful one to this por. tion cf Westland. Mr Coates occupies important positions in which the district now in process of more rapid development ‘s most directly interested. On Friday the Minister nude a brief and hurried tour of the district, but he was thorough iu his methods and covered quite a lot of ground. Also he was very painstaking anil lent- a rather cordial ear to matters brought before him. In reply to the various deputations he was sympathetic invariably, ai d on the whole thete is every reason to le rather well pleased with tile results which will accrue from the visit. From this general statement it will be undc> stor'd that the IS >ll. Afinister rather enhanced the favorable reputation he holds here, for his replies indicated in a very palpable way that he was distinctly favorable to the requests ptade. Re wps good enough to say at

one stage that the requests here were vc;y modest. If that may he consider cd so then those responsible for putting forward the requests are to bo congratulated upon their forethought and the wisdom shown in drawing up the order paper. Alt Coates certainly seems to have licet) impressed with the requests put forward and to have dealt with them in the affirmative been use he recognised llow reasonable they weie. First and foremost, the Aliuister is to ho thanked ami congratulated for Iris hold expression regarding tho build, ittg of the Waiho Gorge bridge. Tito work- is to be dealt with as a national and not a district one. That means its cost will not be a charge against the County quota of expenditure. .Mr Coates spoke positively about undertaking the work in the near future. As slam as the plans are settled upon definitely, either tenders will he can for tlie work in a whole, or the s; crial material required —it is to ho a v. ire suspension bruits' will tie ordered tr,nu Home. That contemplated action "ill lie very generally approved by the community, and the south people in particular are to he congratulated upon the undertaking of this very important work being brought so much nearer by the recent Ministerial visit. Another bridge to be built in the very near future is the structure to span the rough crossing of AVaikukupa river, south ot Waiho. on the new road to Cook’s Flat and Brut e Bay. Practically all the road works asked lor by the ( ouniy Council were approved to 11 total ot about C-1.500. The only exception was the £10(1 for Kiimura-Kapilea road. This, however, has not been finally vetoed, and is still under consideration. The work is now being considered in the light of supplying road access to l.ho settlers in the vicinity of Chesterfield. and the indications, on the whole, were that the matter might yet have tile necessary sanction. With regard to the expenditure of road and bridge rotes, practically all the Parliamentary appropriations arc to g( ahead as rapidly te- possible. Ibis is verv satisfactory indeed. It is for the lot-iil body to tiM* tile Opportunity to the best advantage. Ihe postal matters icferrcd to. though not large question-, were of impel lance to the southern community. It i~ sali'laetury to know that they aie to receive full consideration. and judging by the Ministerial comment the Government's action in the matter will he favourable. Alin, get her the whole trend of Air Coates leplies wor.- in n favorable heat, his

evident desire being to act fairly to the district and do his best to lilt the disltiet ahead with tile resoutees at Ins command.