MINISTER PUBLIC WORKS

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIII, Issue 4408, 1 May 1922, Page 4

MINISTER PUBLIC WORKS

VISIT TO THE PLAINS. PAEROA-POKENO RAILWAY. Mr J. C. Miller (chairman of the Hauraki Plains County Council) urg.ed the pushing on ojf, the railway through the Plains from. Paeroa to Pokeno. The railway would greatly assist the metalling of the roads, and would be cheaper than obtaining it by the, present methods. With regard to the metallrng problem, The Hauraki Plains was in the .position of a borough, having no quarries within easy access. FRESH WATER. Mr C. W. Parfitt brought under the Minister’s notice the necessity for the Plains fresh water supply, and also desired information regarding the plans and estimates for a bridge over the Piako River at Pipiroa. The most important matter after draining was flesh water supply, maintained Mr Parfitt. The Council would like the report, on the water supply for the Plains. They wished to know the cost of the scheme and the volume of water. Mr. Furkett said the volume was 12_gallons of water per cow. Mr C. W. Harris made representations regarding improvements to the Miranda roads, asking for grapts for the work.. LUNCHEON AT NGATEA. A.splendid luncheon was served at the Ngatea, boardinghouse, and before the party rose from table Mr J. C. Miller proposed a toast to 'the Minister The clink of glasses and the singing of "For He’s a Jolly Good FeTlow” followed. Mr Miller later said.he thought it was not much,benefit having a Parliamentary pqrty visiting the district if the Ministers did not come too. It was the Ministers who should see the place. Though the Parliamentary tour did not eventuate, he was pleased to see Mr Coatesy even when he was only on a flying visit to get a general idea, of the country..

The Hon.. Mr Coates, thanking the proposer of the toast, and those present for t,he enthusiasm, with Which it was drunk, expressed regret that he could not have a few-more days on the Plains, put time did not permit. He had been chairman of a county council which was similarly situated as the Hauraki Plains County, and he therefore realised the difficulties of the Plains Council. . It was only by development and consolidation that any permanent works could be done. • The Council should have a good 'staff, a good cler,ki, and a got d engineer. A great deal, depended on how a start was made. It might be found that all the settlers are born engineers (smiles), and that a good engineer was the one who would do what those “born engineers’’ required (more smiles). The county engineer should have a comparatively free hand, he continued. He suggested that officers of the Council should visit places, which were in 3 similar position to t the Hauraki Plains and see What had happened there, at the same time getting a good idea of the history of how matters developed. There was no better country in New .Zealand than '.he Hauraki Plains for those who liked swamp land or reclaimed country. Mor<, responsibility, he thought, should be placed on the local authorities.. By so doing the work of the ■Government officials would be relieved. It was a good idea for the GoverAment officers to see the districts. Mr Markham was with the party to obtain a good idea of the conditions and the progress which was being made. The Government ' officials should have a firsthand knowledge of what was going. on and not go on tho reports which come from other Sources.