PUBLIC WORKS MINISTER

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIV, Issue 4540, 16 March 1923, Page 2

PUBLIC WORKS MINISTER

VISIT TO PAEROA. DEPUTATIONS RECEIVED. The Hon. J. G. Coates, Minister of Public Works and Postmaster-Gen-eral, accompanied bj’ Mr A. R, Mackham, secretary .of the Post and Telegraph Department, Wellington, Mr JT. Godfrey, assistant Under-Secretary, Public Works Department, and Mr R. Aitken, private secretary to the Minister, was. in Paeroa yesterday morning. He received a deputation, consisting of the Mayor and councillors, a<t the Public Works Office, and also a deputation from the Hikutaia residents. SEWERAGE SCHEME. His Worship the Mayor (Mr P. E. Brenan) briefly outlined what had been done in connection with the Bpiough sewerage scheme. He informed the Minister that the amount of money yet required to complete the scheme was approximately £15,000The Mayor asked the Minister, in view of the importance of the work, if he would use his best endeavours to arrange a loan for the balance required from the State Advances Office. In replying the Minister said he sympathised with the Council in their efforts to raise money for sewerage purposes. He promised that he would do all he could to make satisfactory arrangements with regard to a loan of £15,000. J NEW POST OFFICE. The Mayor and councillors also waited on the Minister, with reference to the proposed new post office for Paeroa, and asked that the erection of the building be expedited. It was pointed out that the present post office was totally inadequate for the present needs of the rapidly growing town and district, and the accommodation for the staff in the present building was insufficient. As £5OOO for a new building had appeared on the Estimates, the Council urged that the money be available and a new building erected as soon as possible. The Minister, in reply, assured the deputation that his Department was fully alive to .the requirements of Paeroa. A site had been definitely decided on, and the erection of a new building for Paeroa was well up on the list, of places to receive a new post office, which, he hoped, would be erected in the near future. He was unable to ‘state definitely when the building would be commenced. POST OFFICE 1 HOURS.’ The matter of extension of hours at the local post office was also intro»dueed. The deputation asked if t,he post office could not be opened for an hour in the evenings, from 7 till 8 o’clock. The matter was referred to Mr Markham, who promised to favourably consider the question on his return to Wellington, and he would advise the Council in due course, after consultation with his department. EXCHANGE FOR HIKUTAIA. Mr A. R. Robinson; representing the , settlers of Hikutaia, waited on the Minister with reference to the linking up'i of the settlers by telephone, and the installation of an exchange at Hikutaia. It was urged that there was a large number of settlers who were anxious to link up as soon os the facilities were forthcoming. The Minister undertook, to telegraph to his Department and ascertain the delay. He quite recognised the importance of the work, and agreed that the settlers should be afforded better means of communication.

On the return of the party in the evening the Hon. Mr Coates informed Mr Robinson/that he had received advice from Wellington that the delay in the' installation of an exchange had been caused by want of poles. However, a supply of hardwood poles was due to come to hand during the next, two months, when the work would be proceeded with immediately. The settlers should be able te safely reCkon on the complete installation for Hikutaia within about six months.

■After the deputations were'received the Ministerial party went on a tour of inspection of various drainage areas, a report. of which will appear in our next issue.