MINISTERIAL VISIT

Hokitika Guardian, 12 January 1925, Page 1

MINISTERIAL VISIT

HUN R. F. HOLLAND, -MINISTER OF INTERNAL AFFAIRS The Ministerial carriage for the South Island was attached to the Midland Express oil Saturday, and the occupants of the carriage were the Hon R. F. Holland, Minister of Internal Affairs and party, including Airs Bollard. Mrs Bennett (a daughter), Mr P. J, Kellerton of the Department of Internal A Hairs, and Mr X. Boulton. Private Secretary. The party were accompanied from Greymouth by Air J. O’Brien, ALP.. who on arrival at the railway station, introduced the Hon Minister to the representatives of local bodies present, including lion 11. L. Michel. M.L.C., .Mr G. A. Perry. Mayor of Hokitika, Mr E. A. Wells, Comity Chairman and others. The party then drove to Keller’s Hotel. At 7 o’clock the Minister was met by a deputation from the Westland Racing and Trotting Clubs, headed by Messrs W. K. Williams and F. .McGregor. Presidents of the respective Clubs. Several members of the Clubs were pro sent, and the party motored in a large drag to the Hokitika racecourse. The Minister was then shown over the buildings and appointments, expressing a desire to inspect, first the quarters for the jockeys, including a dressing-room with separate lockers, lavatory, shower hath and ambulance room. The .Minister expressed gratification at the provision being so complete. Afterwards the stewards’ stand and conveniences, and the main grandstand were inspected, and the course viewed from the siauits. Ihe grounds and appointments all looked well. The Minister remarked on the complete arrangements provided and discussed various details, afterwards inspecting the totalisatoi house. The inspection being completed. Air O’Brien A1.1’.. then formally introduced the deputations, and Messrs M illiams and Evans (Racing Club) and McGregor and Houston (Trotting Club) spoke in support of the application for extra permits. The representations made were lurther supported by Hon Air .Michel, Air O’Brien, and Air It. Whiley. Tho linaucial position of the iwo Clubs was detailed, and it was explained that an extra permit was necessary to assist in tiding Tiver the financial difficulties. If it: were not possible to grant an extra permit to each Club, the suggestion was made to grant a permit alternately to the Clubs. The .Minister stated in reply that he could not give lii.s final answer that day. He was on a tour oi insoeclion which he was glad he was making, as he was deriving much lisetul inlormatinn. As soon' as he completed his tour, Lite Racing Conference and I rotting Association were to meet in joint conference. That meeting would take place about the 20th. inst. and particulars of the allocation would lie announced thereafter. As to the suggestion to divide a permit locally, he thought there might be opposition from tin* Racing Cunterence, as that body was not very favourable to trotting. Personally he was a racing man himself, hut he recognised that trotting was growing ill popularity. I here were some racing clubs which were not largely patronised, and there was tbe provision now in the law to change over from one sport to the other. He stclod that lie recognised the difficulties of lii.s task at this juncture, lint he would be able In dim-barge tile duty the belter. because of bis insneciiiei. Iliei- representations would have the Itillesi and fairest consideration, and lie could not promise more at this juncture. Air O'Brien (hanked the .Minister on behalf of the deputation, which then returned to town. OTHER DF.I’ITATIOXS.

At Killer's Hotel, a deputation ol the Hokitika Borough Council. con .1. t ii.;: of tie- .Mayor. C" Jclfidcs. and Kva us anil Ihe I own ( lerk (AH' Andrewes), waited on the .Minister, nskiii"’ for a revaluation of the town. Ihe AI ay or and Air Jeffries detailed the position, and the urgent need, alter G years for a revaluation. Eight years ago a revaluation had hern iiromised. but. it bail not taken lilttco yet. Air Bollard expressed surprise that the matter had been so long in abeyance, and promised on bis return to Wellington to see the Prime Minister. who was in charge of the A'alnation Department. and endeavour to have the wishes of the deputation acceded to. AI ess is Wells and Jeffries. Westland County Council, waited on the Minister with regard to a revision of the law regarding travelling expenses, so that the- position would he clear ami definite, and members of.Jural bodies not Imrras.sed unduly. It was explained that owing to the present uncertainty of the law the members lor over a yea. had not drawn any expenses, Air Bollard was sympathetic m >'i-l-eplv .and promised to go into matter with the Auditor-General on his return to Wellington. Yesterday Mr and Mrs Bollard and friends attended matins at the Anglican Church, and in the afternoon visited the dredge where Mr .1. Morns showed Hie party over the levin tamo. Baler a motor run to Hokitika Gorge took place, and the party were entertained at afternoon tea by the County Chairman and Airs AT ells. Tin 1 pnrtv wont north tuily Inis morning, visiting Kmnara and Greymouth on route' to "Roofton.