WEST COAST NEEDS.

Hokitika Guardian, 1 August 1925, Page 2

WEST COAST NEEDS.

DEPUTATION TO PREMIER

AYELI.IXGTOX, July 30.

Several AA'ost Coast questions were put to the Prime Minister by a deputation from the Grey Valley Farmers’ Union, introduced by Air Holland, AI.P. and Air O’Brien. ALP. Air Clayton, President of the Grey Valley Farmers’ Union, stressed the need for continuation of railway facilities south of Ross to Lake lanthe. detailing the extensive timber resources, tourist attractions and agricultural possibilities. Farming was hampered by manure freights, which were £3 to £s* There was some of the best dairying countrv in New Zealand around A\ ata-

Tho Prime Alinister remarked that ho could not imagine that there was an extensive area. He thought the greatest wealth was in timber. They could not talk of carrying a big farming population below Ross. Air Clayton replied that tliere were 10.000 acres on the Wntnroa Flat. The Prime Alinister stated that lu> had careful surveys. A lot of land was only suitable for timber and should always grow timber. He would have another investigation of the commercial possibilities, but the deputation had not produced tacts to prove that- the extension would lie financially sound. AYhen the survey staff had finished at Tnaugalnia he would he glad to send them' - to South AYestand to make estimates of construction costs and traffic possibilities. He considered some arrangement could lie made to take freight on the timber line. A member of the deputation remarked that an agreement with the timber company had existed for three years, hut to lio benefit: therefore the settlers wore appealing to the Government.

Another request was that a private goods shed should lie erected at Ngabere. on the Reetlou line, and that the line be fenced. The Minister promised to have the matters considered. M r Holland again reminded the Alinister of the urgent need for construct ion of a bridge over Aloonlight Creek. Mr Clayton stated that there had heel! five fatalities at the point. Mr Higgins, on heliall of the County Count:!, asked lor £50!) on account to build preliminary work. The Prime Alinister. who ascertained that the settlers had made no offer to (-out rilnile. remarked: “It is not the West Coast style lo contribute.” Ho added that all over the country the usual thing was for settlers to contribute. The deputation explained that these settlers were struggling hard on Crown leaseholds. The Alinister finally undertook to consider the position when framing the Public Works Estimates.