WESTLAND ELECTORATE

Hokitika Guardian, 15 April 1930, Page 5

WESTLAND ELECTORATE

MINISTERIAL REPLIES.

Mr J. O’Brien, M.P., has received the following replies from the Minister of Public Works to deputations that waited on the Hon. W. A. Veitch the Minister of Mines, when he was in Westland last January:—

SOUTH WESTLAND STOCK TRACK.

Referring -to the , representations which were made to my colleague/ the Hon.’ Minister of Mines, at Harihari, on the 31st January last by the deputation of settlers introduced by you, requesting that a grant of £SOO be authorised for expenditure on the above mentioned track, I have to advise that my colleague has referred this matter to me for consideration with a request that I reply to you direct.

The position is that the construction of this track was carefully investigate!’ in 1927 as a result of a request which was made to the Government and it was then found that the work required .would cost approximately £3,000.

The country through which the track would pass is mostly covered', with bush, and as the; land,},is chiefly of poor quality, and thus unfit for farming purposes ,it was■.decided.-;that the Government would not be justified in. providing any funds towards the construction work. !

In view of the settlers’ representations, however, I have carefully reconsidered the matter, but I am of the opinion that circumstances do not , at present, warrant the expenditure of so large an amount as £3,000, and as the' sum of £SOO, as requested by the deputation, would not'be sufficient to complete the track thrpugh the State Forest Reserve, which has to he traversed before the settlers’ properties are reached, it is obvious that no great benefit would be derived from the expenditure of that sum. I regret to, stSte/ therefore, that I am unable .to..let you have a (favourable reply to the settlers’ request.— ■Your faithfully, Yv i f '',- ■ . ■ E. A. RANSOM, ' |' '

Minister of Public Works

LA FONTAINE ROAD,

Referring to the representations which were made to my colleagues, the Hon. Minister of Mines, at Harihari, on the 31st January last by the deputation of settlers introduced by you, requesting that the Government carry out the metalling of the portion of two miles of the above mentioned road, which is already formed, and also form and metal another section one mile, I have to advise that my colleague has referred this matter to me for- investigation, with a request that I reply to you direct, ; In this connection I have to’ ndvise that tliis matter lias been under consideration for some time past, ;bnt in view of the fact that the construction of the extension required would he of little settlement value, and as there are many other works in this locality which ..are of a, more urgent nature, I am of the opiion that the Government would not be justified In authorisin'! any funds for La Fontaine Road at the present time.

I regret to state, therefore, that I am unable to let you have a favourable replv to the settlers’ request, but the question of Government assistance will receive further consideration when the forthcoming Estimates are under review.—Yours faithfully, E. A. RANSOM, Minister of Public Works.