AN INFORMAL VISIT.

Putaruru Press, Volume II, Issue 55, 13 November 1924, Page 2

AN INFORMAL VISIT.

HON. COATES ANI) PARTY. Putaruru-Arapuni-Cambridge. A Week-end Motor Run. Following the ceremony of turning the first sod of the Katikati-Te Puna section of the East Coast Railway, which he performed on Saturday, the Hon. J. G. Coates, Minister for Public Works, and party paid an informal visit to Arapuni and Horahora on Sunday. Consistent with the Minister’s reputation for strenuous travelling, the party left Tauranga early on Sunday morning by motor for Rotorua, whence a special train comprising a Ministerial car and ap ordinary sleeping car brought them on to Putaruru. They arrived here shortly beforfi, mid-day. In aff~ they numbered fourteen persons, including Mr. H. Poland, M.P. for Ohinemufi, Mr. C. J. McKenzie, assistantengineer of the Public Works Department, Mr. H. H. Sterling, assistant general manager of railways, and several ladies. Colonel F. Greenhough, the Dominion representative of Sir. W. G. Armstrong, Whitworth and Co., Ltd., the contractors for the construction of the section of railway referred to and for the installation of the Arapuni scheme, was also of the number. From Putaruru the party was motored out to Arapuni, where lunch was had with the contractors’ staff there, and the work done so far was viewed. Late in the afternoon the party continued on by motor, via Horahora to Cambridge, where, after tea, they again joined the special train, which connected at Frankton with the Main Trunk express for Wellington. The trip was a very pleasant one, but at a dip in the road near Horahora the recent grading work followed by the dry weather had resulted in something of a sand slide, through which the cars had to be hauled by motor lorry. This was the Minister’s first visit to Arapuni since the contractor started work there.

Colonel Greenhough remained there until this week, when he inspected the progress of the work.