WESTLAND ELECTORATE

Hokitika Guardian, 29 March 1930, Page 4

WESTLAND ELECTORATE

M i nisteeial replies. Air J. O’Brien, ALP., has received the following Ministerial replies to deputations and personal representations made in connection with matters affecting tue, Westland Electo- . rate: — SOUTH WESTLAND MEDICAL SERVICES. The Honourable the Minister of Labour has referred to me tiio nofAft-*" of, tiie Deputation of settlers of Afaiyaiiiui and AV'ataroa introduced to hint by you on tiie 3rd ultimo, concerning the question of medical services fertile South Westland District. I mlv say at the outset that the matter is an extremely difficult one. As you perhaps know when L visited South Westland in the winter of last year I. received a deputation from a Medical Association at Harihari, and at the request of that Association, interviewed the Westland Hospital Board with regard to the establishment- of a doctor at Harihari. Subsequently, owing to a disagreement between these bodies, the Association at Harihari let the matter drop and the tion a( Matanui then took the matte**' in hand., However, the. present position is that, the ; Hospital Board,, whilst it is prepared to pay a grant of £SOO to a doctor established in South Westland, will not make any grant towards the. building of a residence ior the doctor, and on this account matters have progressed no further, i am hopeful, however, that possibly Dr AV. H. Bell, the medical man at present concerned may be able to make personal arrangements to obtain a residence, and if this eventuates it will settle tbe difficulty. In the meantime I am afraid that nothing further can be done, but r will pursue tbe matter further. (Signed) A. J. Stallworthy, Alinister of Health.

AVATER. PIPES FOR KUMARA. AA’ith reference to the enquiry made by tiie deputation from the Kumara Borough Council which interviewed me at Kumara on the 30th January last as to whether or not tiie Department had any water, pipes available for the town water supply, I have to advise that since my returh to Wellington a number of • enquiries have been made as to whether there were any pipes available suitable ior the purpose, but 1 regret to state that I have not been able to locate any. Under the circumstances I regret I am unable to assist the Borough Council in the direction desired. (Signed) AW A. Veitch, Alinister of Alnes. AVAIHO BRIDGE. '

On the occa.son of the visit of icy colleague the Minister of Mines to South Westland recently a deputation which you introduced drew his attention to the need for the erection of a bridge over the creek on the road ’ between the Hotel and the cornor 'of the road leading to Waiho at Wataroa. -The creek crossing is on a Main Highway and accordingly the representations which you made, have been referred to the Main Highways Board. The Board advises that the subsidy on such a work is £2 for £l, and it the Westland County Council submits an application for a grant with next year’s Estimates, the matter will be considered when the Estimates are being dealt with. (Signed) R. A. Ransom, Minister of Public Works. CLOSER SETTLEMENT. I beg to refer to your interview with the Hon. Minister of Labour at Evans’ Creek on the 30th January last, when you introduced a deputation of settlers which urged that' the Government . should acquire the property of Messrs Perry and Company and Diedrich for closer settlement purposes.

At the request of my colleague I have obtained, reports upon the proposal, and regret that owing to the erosion, of-Evans CVeek and the Wanganui River and the prevalence of noxious weeds it is not considered tliat the property is suitable for closer settlement, nor is it possible for the purchase to be considered with a view to the protection of private property. (Signed) Geo. W. Forbes, Minister of Lands.

WEHEKA SCHOOL.

The Hon Mr Veitcli has written to me regarding the erection of a new school to replace the household school at Web oka. In reply I have to say that the matter has been referred to the Canterbury Education Board for its consideration. Should an application come to hand from tile Board it will receive my careful consideration. '' (Signed) Harry Atmore.

OKARITO MAILS

In reference to the request of the deputation of residents of Okarito, which you introduced to the Hon. )V. A. Yeitcli, for an additional wegjjs mail service for Okarito to run from Hokitika, ami intimating that the residents were not prepared to contribute, towards the cost of an additional service from the Forks. I beg to inform you that arrangements will, he \ made for an additional weekly ser- '’"■j vice for Okarito to be run from Hoki- | tika provided the residents agree to contribute £25 per annum towards the additional cost of £SO per annum. (Signed) Geo. W. Forbes, for Post-master-General.