MINISTERIAL VISIT

Hokitika Guardian, 25 March 1930, Page 3

MINISTERIAL VISIT

The Hon. P. A. do la Perrclle, Minister of Internal Affairs, etc., who went south oil Sunday by special car, reached AVaiho Gorge in time to spend a considerable, portion of the afternoon at Franz Josef Glacier. The Al.inistorial party walked to the glacier by the south hank track, returning 'by the north hank track, and inspecting the hoi springs bath. The evening was spent at Graham. Bros.’ glacier hotel. Yesterday morning the Ministerial party made an early start for W.eheka in order to .see.the Fox Glacier. On reaching Doeherty Creek the stream was found in light flood, and in case the river might rise further, the trip further south had to be abandoned. A bridge is in. course of erection over •the stream m question, and is well advanced. It is the last of the three larger streams on the road to AVeheka to be bridged, and wiwyi spanned by qlie fin o''bridge now being erected, in a short time, risk of being held up (by flood will -be removed. On the return journey the Ministerial party ran into Okarito, where the •Minister was interested to learn of tho old- associations with the locality. Mr Perrclle was informed of the min--ing project centred a; lew miles be low Okarito/.-which will shortly be; working and should bring about a -revival intcirest;. in heath , mining. Other /large are .ifi hand' in connection with the Okarito locality, including flic raising of a large sum of money for a conskhua.blc milling proposition, which will. also includb material Improvement to the port of .Okarito. -

After leaving Okaritb'. the party stopped at Matainui, Hiirihaii, Ross and R.imu. Deputations were met at some of the centres. Mr \Y. J. Radford, Manager of the Riniu J'Tat Dredging 'Coy. escorted the party to the dredge, and the Minister was greatly interested in the inspection of the working operations. It was the largest operating dredge he had seen and he fdloweyl the details of the working with close interest. C ll the return to Hokitika, the party v-s entertained at afternoon tea lit the Red Lion Hotel by Hosl ■Mclntosh, -who 'had been the escort on the southern trip. Mrs Mclntosh had-prepared a tasty repast and. a nleasaut half hour was spent. Ihe local bodies were represented by' Dr Teichelmann, Messrs J. A. M tclocli. and D. J. Evans, wliile Mr AV. J.

Radford was also with tlie party. Shortly (before six o’clock the' -Minister loft by special car for Krnnara, where a deputation awaited him. am 1 iator was to proceed to Greymouth fpr further d /.puta-tiens To-day Mr Holland, Mfor Bailer, .will, conduct the Minister.- through..: portions of the eleertrate cn route to Nelson and the north. Mr Perrclle expressed great satis- . fact ion .-.with. his. visit south andi’-tlm country. lie had . seen.,. .Ho was pleased ; frith the healthy ' signs of settlement and tlm remm for expansion. He was much impressm] ...with the particulars given him of the pastoral products of the-district and their rapid growth. The great range of timber available for pvaart also impressed him, and . rr.,,- 0 gi m p.-.-ory confidenr-o ior the future of Southern Westland.