HON. E. A. RANSOM

Hokitika Guardian, 21 May 1929, Page 6

HON. E. A. RANSOM

VISIT TO GREY-MOUTH. The Hon. E. A. Ransom, Minister of Public Works, arrived in Greymouth yesterday afternoon, accompanied by Mr N. E. Hutchins '(private secretary) and Miss A. Compton (typiste). The Minister was the guest of -hr and Mrs T. E. Y. Seddon. Hie ministerial party left early this morning for Kotuku, Rotomanu and Poerua, and on arrival at the latter place joined the express ior Christchurch. The Minister received a number of deputations last evening. The lirst matter brought before the Minister was that of the extension of the railway to South Westland. Mr O’Brien explained hat there were several matters that the Westland County Council wished to bring before tho Minister’s notice, and the residents of Harihari also had several requests to make, hut as He Minister was unable to go south, they had agreed hold the matters o\er till the Minister’s next visit. There was one matter however, which the poo I> ■ e of Harihaii considered was most ii | "' > "'rtant, and that was the extension of the railway line; and he had been asked to biing the matter before the Minister. It had already been brought unde- ’he notice of three Ministers who had. recently visited the Coast. What the. particularly wanted was an extension of the line to Harihari. A survey had been made in 1911, and a certain i amount had been expended, but nothing further had been done. Hiere was a tremendous amount of timber in the district, which would pay for the line, j A number of matters affecting, the Grey District were brought before the Minister.

The Minister in the course of his reply, said that he was not going to make any promises until he had gone into the various matters brought under his’ notice. He did not want it to he said that while lie was Minister of Public Works they couldn’t find records of any promises he had made. Ho would acquaint them in writing regarding each matters after due consideration. He was not prepared to make any straight-out grants. He would he glad if they would give any further information to their member, Mr O’Brien, so that it could he considered when they discussed such questions in Wellington with the District Engineer.