THE Hauraki Plains Gazette With which is incorporated THE OHINEMURI GAZETTE. Motto : Public Service. MONDAY, WEDNESDAY, FRIDAY. MONDAY, APRIL 10, 1922. HON. COATES’ VISIT.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIII, Issue 4401, 10 April 1922, Page 2

THE Hauraki Plains Gazette With which is incorporated THE OHINEMURI GAZETTE. Motto : Public Service. MONDAY, WEDNESDAY, FRIDAY. MONDAY, APRIL 10, 1922. HON. COATES’ VISIT.

Paeroa and Hauraki Plains people will sincerely welcome the Hon. J. G. Coates (Minister of Public Works), who is due in Paeroa on April 26th, and who will be remaining in the district until Thurs : . day. From his telegram, and the contents of a letter received by the Rotokohu Ratepayers’ Association, it may be assumed that the Minister desifes to make a special personal investigation into matters which come under the head of the Waihou and Ohinemuri Rivers Improvement Scheme, and every opportunity should be afforded him to get at the true position. Appirently Mr Coates intends to confine his attentions to the area immediately affected by the scheme, and representatives of local bodies could hardly do better than endeavour to impress upon him the desirability of carrying out the recommendations of the 1919 Commission, in reference to the dredging of the Obinemuri and the provision of low stopbanks to protect areas now subject to flooding. This course, the 1919 Commission believed would give at’ least partial protection at a sum beyond comparison below the present estimated cost of the River Improvements Scheme. Other important matters, such as the need of at least, a section of the PaeroaPokeno Railway in order to enable a metal supply to be provided for. the Plains, and a fresh water supply for the same district, might be brought forward with advantage. The main questions, however, are those pertaining to the dredging of the Ohinemuri for drainage and navigation purposes, and the protection of the valuable areas now being ruined by siltation. It is a case of “ now or never,” and the uttermost must be made by the Minister’s visit to try and securer measure of justice for the town.and district.