WESTLAND AFFAIRS

Hokitika Guardian, 14 June 1932, Page 5

WESTLAND AFFAIRS

REPLY RECEIVED FROM PUBLIC WORKS MINISTER, ilr J. O’Brien, M.P., has received the following replies’ from the Minister of Public Works and*-the Post inaJter General to representations' ..iiiauoby linn:— COUTH WESTLAND TELEPHONE. .At r. ji' ! ;•. f . , ; fj. ‘Til further reference to your re- > cent interview with me in connection with the proposal to have tlie. South. Weslund telephone line south of Weheka maintained by. the .settlers: 1 have to lnlorm you that I have nowhad an opportunity ’of ; looking into the matter. The position is that the revenue received from" the offices on this line does not ‘meet the average annual cost of maintaining the service, and considerable economy could be effected if the offices were closed. Such an extreme step, of course, is hot proposed, but it is considered that the settlers should contribute towards the maintenance of the line, and thus reduce the heavy working costs, more especially as the offices are no doubt of great benefit to them. 1 might add that in the past when pny ussisttuicaA'bg lias been rendered hj' tlu}. settlers, lihoi'Lb charges for their services, and particularly for horse hire, have been heavy and somewhat unreasonable when all the circumstances are taken into consideration, Negotiations have therefore been entered into with the. sett-. Lb. lers along the above-mentined lines, but these have not yet been completed, and it is not possible at this stage to make any definite statement as to what decision will be reached in the matter. I feel sure, however, that it will be agreed that, in view of the posi- ••*■•> tion disclosed, something in the nature of remedial measures require to be taken. I shall be delighter to inform you in due course of the result of negotiations pending.”

PETERSEN’S.; ROAD. §\ “Some time ago, during the course of-an interview,, you that ,I make available to you . details of the Inspecting Engineer’s report concerning the above mentioned, road. This report, which has now 1 been placed be* for me briefly conveys the information that the present legalised road line is the better proposition as it is the 1 cheaper to construct and it also drier and sunnier. Some opposition to the formation of the road along this routs has been made and eventually I had to decide between the contending parties. My decision event with the opinion as expressed by the Inspecting Engineer, and I am gratified to know* that the County Council is now prepared to carry out tho work as soon as authority is given, Concerning this latter aspect of . the question, an item of £560 £2 for £l, appenrod on the Public Works Estimates last year for expenditure on this road but of course no action was taken by' the Council to expend this sum and it was automatically cancelled some few weeks ago in accordance " 'with* ’ thfe general • cancellation of unexpended road authorities for the purpose of enabling a general review of to be made of my Department’s commitments under the Roads Vote. Just at present it js not possible to say definitely whether or not this grant can be renewed and the necessary funds issued from the limited allocation available for roading purposes, but- I have already arranged’ to further consider the claims of this road when reviewing the Estimates for 1932, and it is hoped that there will be some .monies available to make . the necessary .allocation.”

jump over the front‘‘seat:. Neither did ■she faint *in the back of the car. There was no time for fainting. When he looked down at Mrs Johnson’s leg, it did not appear to have been injured. There was no bleeding. He took the shoe off her fopt. Witness was then cross-examined at some length on the filling in and signing of the receipts. Counsel: I suggest that the same person who filled in the word “Wellington” on that receipt a150.,-wrote the word “Johnson”? Witness : It is a lie—an absolute lie. Kathleen Davis, Matron of the Bowen Street Hospital at the time that Mr,s Johnson was operated on there, gave evidence as to seeing Mrs "Johnson sign a document in the presence of her husband and another man. She was half raised in bed for the purpose. I The Matron did not know the nature ' I -The" hearing" will be resumed to-mor-row.u^-