PUBLIC WORKS MINISTER

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 693, 19 June 1929, Page 7

PUBLIC WORKS MINISTER

VISIT TO KING COUNTRY I - i STUDYING LOCAL NEEDS (From Oar Oxen Correspondent) TAUMARUNUI, Tuesday. The Minister of Public Works, the • Hon. E. -V. Ransom, paid a flying visit to the Central King Country on Monday and met a number of local body J delegates and residents at the Tau- j marunui Borough Council Chambers, i The Minister was Aveleomed by the | Mayor, Mr. C. E. Boles, and Mr. F. Langstone, M.P., prior to the commencement of business. Numerous deputations were heard, and Mr. Ransom displayed a keen desire to come to grips with King Country needs. One of the most important matters brought to his notice was the land settlement problem, introduced by the president of the Chamber of Commerce, Mr. A. S. Laird, Avho advanced the view of his chamber that the matter could best be dealt with by setting up advisory boards of practical farmers, or, as an alternative, the establishment of a neAV Land Board dealing solely with King Country areas. The question of a new post office for Taumarunui. which has been under negotiation for some tirne. Avas brought forAvard by the Mayor, and the Minister paid a A r isit of inspection to the present building. He promised to place the matter before the PostmasterGeneral, and stated that if Taumarunui Avas third on the list there should not be a long delay in commencing the i work.

A deputation headed by Mr. W. Meacham, representing the New Zealand Workers’ Union. Oliura branch, asked for the establishment of a nurse at Ohura, whose seiwices Avould be free to Public Works employees on the railAvay Avorks. Other matters concerned with health, and the serious unemployment position, ay ere also advanced, and Air. Ransom promised to go fully into the questions raised. He would endeavour to relieve the unemployment, giving preference to married men. In reply to a deputation from Manunui asking for assistance in preventing the Wanganui River from eroding and damaging public and private property at Manunui, the Minister promised to make an inspection of the threatened A request from settlers in the Mangaoh util district, Wanganui River, for the completion of a road which they had waited 21 years for, was given sympathetic attention, Air. Ransom undertaking to confer with the Public Works engineer to sec what relief might be given. A considerable budget of need}’ items was brought forAvard by representatives of the Ohura County, comprising grants for roads and bridges, and assistance in securing a £5.000 loan for special works on roads. The Minister promised to do Avhat he could in dealing with each item, all of which would be carefully noted.

WAIMARINO VISITED SYMPATHETIC RECEPTION OF REQUESTS SPECIAL FUND FOR GRANTS (From Our Own Correspondent) OHAKUNE, Today. The Hon. E. A. Ransom, Minister of Public Works, spent yesterday in the Waimarino electorate. He was met at Kaurimu by a deputation Avith regard to some local works. Arriving at Kaetihi about 1 o’clock the Minister was met by the chairman of the County Council, Air. A. B. Harris, Crs. C. Ball. J. Morton, A. Askmore, D. Strachan, and the county clerk, Air. Alabbott, the Mayor of Raetihi, Air. W. H. Sandford, Crs. W. Harris, H. Riepei, G. Anderson and se\ r cral other residents of the county and borough. Air. Langstone introduced several deputations, Avho asked the Minister to investigate the need of a bridge across the Wanganui River at Pipiriki, a grant for Pipiriki-Raetihi Road and other questions. The Minister said the A’arious requests Avould have his sympathetic consideration, and he Avould confer with his departmental officers. The Minister and party Avere entertained at lunch, and afterwards left for Ohakune. Upon arrival at the Borough Council Chambers the Alinister was welcomed by the Mayor, Mr. G. J. Goldfinch, and members of the Borough Council and several other residents. Air. R. Christie, Deputy-Mayor, asked for a grant to replace tin?, bridges in the borough. These bridges Avere erected by the Public Works Department, of local material, about 20 years ago. They now needed renewing, and the borough had no funds to do the Avork. Tie reminded the ATinister about the Tohunga Road deviation. Avhich Avas under the consideration of the HighAvays BoaiM, and asked for a grant for the construction of Dreadnought Road. He stressed the fact that Ohakune had supplied large sums of money in the form of timber, royalties and freight. Air. Langstone, M.P., also spoke. The Alinister said if Cabinet approved and Parliament granted the necessary money he intended to set up a fund to give grants for roads and works in the country. The present Government was determined to assist settlers in country districts, and he was prepared to help them as far as he possibly could, taking into consideration the claims of other places throughout the Dominion. The party left to catch the express at Taihap<'-