District Requirements.

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 25 June 1913, Page 2

District Requirements.

During the past month Mr Gordon Coates, M.P. for Kaipara. has been touring his electorate. He has visited each district to as to gain an intimate knowledge of the local requirements, and this will enable him better to advocate the settlers' interests when in Wellington. He arrived at Helensville on Wednesday, and later in the week visited Kumeu, Taupaki and Riverhead.

When in the Kaiwaka district Mr Coates had several interviews with gum diggers, whose request was that gum lands be classified and a proper investigation made as to what areas are considered gum-hearing or. otherwise, to which he promised to give every attention. The local bodies at Cteamatea and Whangarei are also moving in the same direction.

Just above Kaiwaka Mr Coates met a lot of tunnel men, who require an increase of pay from 10s to 11S per day, which will place them on a level with ordinary miners. Prior to last election all public works men got Is a day rise, except tunnel workers. Mr Coates promised to' place their request in a favourable light to the Government.

At Makarau a deputation of 17 settlers, of which Mr Mc Millan was chairman and Mr H. Hooper speaker, waned on Mr Coates to ask bis assistance in getting a goods shed, cattle yards and conveniences at Makarau railway station. It was pointed out that settlers from Mangakura, Glorit, Araparare, Ivamokoritej Makarau and part of Wainui made this their chief Station. Three years ago a petition was sent in asking for these but no-« thing had been heard of the matter since. The deputation also asked that Makarau should be made a booking Station. Another request brought forward was for grants for metalling roads leading to Makarau station.— Mr Coates said he would do everything possible to have an investigation made into vatiour questions brought to his notice and promised to put aanie before the Government at the earliest opportunity. From Young's point to Kaukapakapa Mr Coates says he met with a general request for an alteration in the time^ table of the express train running from Kaiwaka. There are two proposals, one being that the tra-n should leave Kaiwaka in time to connect with the s o'clock express at Helensville, or that the 3 p. m. train at Helensville should leave for Auckland at 115.— Mr Coates promised to confer with the District.Traffic manager and let the settlers know at an early date as to what could be done in the matter.