PUBLIC WORKS

Southland Times, Issue 18843, 8 June 1920, Page 3

PUBLIC WORKS

MINISTER AT WAIROA. (Per United Press Association.! WAIROA, June 7. The Hon, J. (I. Coates arrived at Wairoa last night from Napier, and held a consultation with the Mayor and chairman of the Harbour Hoard regarding the Waikokopu harbour and railway matters this morning. He met a number of deputations on various matters. Wairoa’s new harbour and the railway and hydroelectric questions were fully discussed. Mr Coates said he was visiting the district to find out its requirements and for consultation with the departmental officers. It had been decided to proceeii with the Waikaremoana hydro-electric scheme immediately. The Waikokopu railway had already been started and it would be pushed on expeditiously. The Hast Coast railway was also being hastened. The shortage of material wtu- very serious, hampering operation? everywhere. Girders, hardwood and cement were in particularly short supply. Contractors would not come from other countries, as New Zealand works;were too small. He understood that labour was available at Wairoa for local works, which would facilitate matters. He hoped to see the Waikaremokau deviations fmishd shortly and the bridge commenced. He did not intend to give a large sum of money as a subsidy for country roads, but would expect to assist main arterial roads. The Ministerial party left at 11.MO a.m. for Gisborne via Oputama. The roads are bad, and they cx[>ect to make the journey partly in a wool waggon.