THE RECENT MINISTERIAL VISIT.

Hokitika Guardian, 12 November 1923, Page 4

THE RECENT MINISTERIAL VISIT.

During the visit of the Hon J. G. Coates here last week, he was interviewed on several semi-public matters, to all of which he gave a patient hearing. In respect to continuing the subsidy for the maintenance ol the Otira Hospital the Hon Minister agreed with the representatives of the Westland Hospital present, Messrs Dutf, Davidson and Wells, to continue the subsidy from the Public. Works Department for a further two months to permit Messrs McYilly ('Railways), and Furkert (Public Works) to confer further in regard to future contributions. Mr Stoop of the Diggers' Sawmill. Woodstock, waited on the Minister with regard to the construction ol the back shunt up Gibson <)ay to tap it site for timber stacking .skills for timber export. The former proposal of the Railways Departtxcivs that the sawmillers concerned -liquid finance the work to he done by the Department was thrashed out. Ultimately the Minister agreed to do the work in three weeks' time if the millers concerned would agree to pay the cost of the work on a royalty charge for the timber hauled over the new litm. Mr Stoop agreed to endeavour to have this arranged as the most practicable method of carrying out an urgently necessary requirement. Recently the Railways Department offered the Hokitika Borough Council a. grant o! £B9O to place the -treeis i>i order with h were affected bv the closing of part of Slall'ord street and the division ot tea flic to other streets. The Mayor and the Town Clerk waited mi the visiting departmental oflirial- and asked lor an additionul £151) ns the road trallie was developing in unexpected ways, and there was a greater expenditure ill sight than was at first expected. Ml Mi Y illy a-kef I the local engineer- to go into the position and i ommiinieaie the result to the Borough Coiim i! by tomorrow night’s meeting. ,Mr Minehan who saw the linn Minister in respect to river erosion at Little Wanganui, was informed that Hr Minister was advised the ero-ioii was not the eause ol any art by the Public Work- Department, and that under that ml: ice it was not possible to grant, nov relief. The suggestion was made that Mr .Minehan should seek engineering upiiniun on the matter, am! ii im'tilied with authoritative reports from engineers to again bring forward Ins claim. Ii i- probable this will lie done, though Mr .Minehan also contemplates taking mtmu by petition t,. i'arlia-

Mr Butler. J’resident ol lb' 1 Lshimtiim Conned, ap-ji-r. uached the Unit Mi (dales a- FusLiiia-I.T-Generiil asking that during the coiilinuam e ol the Exhibition. tbe telephone he a continuous service tit Hokitika day and night. It was explained an increased pah";’ stall was being brought into the distant, and there was the suggestion from that quarter that as an officer would he mi duty at llie local station at all hours, telephone connection nil over Hie town was advisable. The Minister promi-ed t,,, see what cost was involved, ami d possible wool deal with the request lavotirahly.