MINISTER AT NAPIER

Southland Times, Issue 18844, 9 June 1920, Page 2

MINISTER AT NAPIER

NEEDS OF THE EAST COAST. DEPUTATIONS TO MR COATES. (Per United Press Association.) NAPIER, June 6. The Minister of Public W 7 orks (the Hon. J. G. Coatesi arrived at Napier on Saturday evening and tvas waited on by a number of deputations from all parts of tha East Coast relative to the requirements of the district. Mr J. V. Brown, M.P., introduced the speakers. Mr C. Ellison, representing the East Coast Railway and Development League, pleaded for a vigorous prosecution of the East Coast railway. Mr A. E. Jull pointed out that work could be commenced simultaneously at Napier, Wairoa and Gisborne. Mr R. M. Chadwick asked for a definite assurance (hat work on the Waikaremoana hydro-electric scheme would be proceeded with. Mr N. Beamish said that plenty of labour was available for the work. Messrs W. Oates (Tokomaru Bay) and A. Sinclair (Wairoa) asked for improved roads and Mr H. I. Simpson (Hawke’s Bay Rivers Board) asked for a grant of £IO,OOO towards flood protection. / Mr Ellison, representative of the Napier Chamber of Commerce, asked for the preservation of the native bush around Waikaremoana. Mr S. McLernon pressed tbs claims of a new post office at Napier, Messrs L. Paterson and J. H. Edmundson mentioned the desire of business men for telephone lines between Napier and Wellington and Napier and Taupo respectively. Mr Barry asked for improved road access to the Putorino soldier settlers and representatives of the liar-tings Chamber of Commerce, including Mr 11. M. Campbell, M.P., put forward reasons for draining the Poult awa Lake.

The Minister, in reply, expressed a desire for information and said the work of the department must go on in a businesslike way. He could not make definite promises. Numerous works were hampered by a dearth of machinery" and material, hut the outlook was much better and the position might, be normal in 12 months’ lime. For (he Waikaremoana work tenders were to be called. The Government's policy was one of quick development and Waikaremoana was the simplest scheme anil would be completed, perhaps, sooner than the work at Mange.hao. The Minister said he realised the importance of a good road between Napier and Gisborne and the road would lie finished ns soon as possible. He promised to obtain a report on the flood question and o support the preservation of the native hush. The public buildings policy was as already stated in Auckland, tihd telephone extensions depended on the supply of material.