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Hokitika Guardian, 22 April 1929, Page 4

fun district is being honoured to-day ny a visit from a Cabinet .Minister. ,the .second member of Sir .Joseph Ward’s government to come this way. .is an old Li .oral <onsLitueiiey of long standing pleasure and gratification win be felt at seeing the flon Minister ol Railways with 11s. Mr Taverner is new to Parliamentary life, hut not to civiclife, as he is still the Mayor of Dunedin. He has an excellent record in public service, and is making good with a dilliciiil. portfolio. To make the railways pay in these days of very ,tr„ng road competition is not ail easy task, and the Minister has a very constant job before him in his effort to do so. On this his first visit to Westiand, he is sure of a cordial welcome, .t is pleasing to see that he is going south, where 110 will find some of the outstanding gems of nature. As tourist traffic is important- to his Department from a passenger point of view, lie will see territ.ry well worth visiting, and railway excursions at the proper season of the year might well he organised in conjunction with a rail Hid motor trip. 'I he extension of the railway hardly comes into his Department, hut it is worth while intimating Amt the extension of the line beyond 1 loss (the present terminus) was authorised when Sir .'Joseph Ward was in power previously. The visiting Mitiis,er might he invited to assist in havng that !!)!! promise h-lioured by the ,1-csent Government. It requires only 1 vote fir the purpose—the legislation is on the Statute Book. In respect t> jocal requirements the folk especially in the tourist season, would like a liiickcr service between Greyinonth and Hokitika, and some extra connection between Christchurch and Hokitika. The service is three days a week, and for' very little extra effort another service could he added on Monlays. when ordinarily a mixed train ■erviee runs between Christchurch and Greymoutli. 'l’his end of the Westland section provides a very considerable amount of revenue for the Department, and that will continue to ho the case. There are still thousands of acres of forest country yet to he milled in the south, and the railway is the most economic means for transport. That fact is also another reason for pus Tung the railway into South Westland, ami it is to lie hoped the subject will he brought prominently before the Hon. Minister during liis visit, which we hope will he pleasant and enjoyable from every point of view.