MINISTERIAL VISIT

Hokitika Guardian, 10 February 1928, Page 1

MINISTERIAL VISIT

TOUR OF SOUTHERN WESTLAND. The Hon. Minister of Agriculture (Mr 0. Hawken) and party, including Mrs and Miss Hawken, Air Seddon, and Messrs Ellis and McGavoek of the State Forest Service, returned from the south yesterday evening. The party, which went south on I itesduv, reached Waiho in the evening. The next day was spent at Waiho and M eheka, but unfortunately the Minister was indisposed and confined to bis room. However after doing the ice trip on the Frame Josef, the party motored to Weheka, and the whole day proved a pleasant experience. Yesterday. Waiho was left at 9 a.m. and Okarito was visited. Air J. Donovan. AI.C.C., represented the wants of the community, which were chiefly in regard to harbour matters. The general position was explained, supplemented by remarks from Air Seddon, "'ho stated a full report on the situation was now available. The Hon. -Minister made a note of the request and promised to urge the publication of the,. report. On motoring north, a party of Wataroa residents were met at Wailang; bridge, where the question of river erosion wits discussed, and then the party went on to Alntainui. After lunch a largo deputation of settlers beaded by Mr W. H. Chinn. AI.C.C.. Wits received in regard to local requirements. The river erosion was considered further, and the expenditure of the Parliamentary votes urged. Carriage of lime was discussed, and Air Hawken

indicated lie was considering a proposal for assistance to those farmers off the railway who could not get free carriage of lime. A special pica was made for the extension of the railway south, failing which the settlers asked for the opening of Bold Head road. On this subject the A 1 mister referred to the forest wealth in Westlnnd, and the ultimate necessity of tapping it. The railway would be useful for that purpose, but apart from that traffic, the ordinary transport by the farmers would not be a payable proposition. It Wits found even ill the North Island In both Taranaki and Hawkes Hoy. that lorries wore able to compote successfully against the railways in the transport of farm produce. Lambs were transported in large numbers by that means, and lie saw that in South Westland they were transporting over long distances by the same method to the railhead for export to Canterbury. What lie had in mind was the construction of a light railway for South Westland.

Iji reply to ;i question by Mr Scddon. tlie Minister said the existing trainway which had lieen referred to was not up to the standard required by the Public Works Department. In answer to a further question as to the time the suggested railway would he undertaken, the Minister mentioned within live years. Various other district matters were discussed, after which the Ministerial party moved north to Harihari. At llarihari. Mr \Y. Searle, M.C.t .. headed the local deputation, which brought up also the railway or road proposition to the Little Wnitaha. A similar reply was indicated. Some roading matters were brought forward, including the extension ol Petersen s road, and the new road through to the Wataroa. The question of opening a road down the Big Wanganui river to assist the whitebait catching industry was brought forward also. Last year those engaged in the operations earned L‘2.000. The Minister noted the requests for roads, and intimated the matters would he sent on to his colleague, the Minister for Public Murks. Panning pursuits and liming, and stock breeding were also discussed before the deputation concluded. At the close of the deputations, the party moved north again, reaching Hokitika before 8 o'clock last evening.