WAITOMO REQUIREMENTS.

Taranaki Daily News, 7 May 1921, Page 7

WAITOMO REQUIREMENTS.

DISTRICT REQUIREMENTS. MINISTERS’ REPLIES TO MEMBER. It will be recalled that when the Hon. J. G. Coates, Minister of Public Works, was in Waitara in January last, the necessity for a better post office for Waitara was brought before him. The Minister replied to Mr. Jennings, M.P., that he recognises the necessity for better accommodation, but owing to many requirements now the matter would be postponed, but some necessary alterations in the present building would be put in hand. The Minister has also replied to Mr. Jennings that the latest report made in connection with the Paraninihi tunnel was that of Mr. Campbell, resident engineer last year at Stratford. He was prepared to give £B5O towards the improvements if the local bodies and other parties interested would contribute a similar amount for the completion of the neewary work.

During the visit of the Hon. D. H. Guthrie, Minister- of Lands, to Mokau last March the returned, soldier settlers brought before him a request for an advance under the Repatriation Act to build a launch and punt for the carriage of cream and goods. The Minister has replied that the Director of Repatriation has supplied full information to the settlers, and no doubt they will communicate with the repatriation officer as early as possible. The matter of the Government acquiring portion of the Manga-Awakino block for closer settlement was also brought before the Minister on the same visit to Mokau. The Minister has replied to Mr. Jennings to the effect that he made enquiries into the matter, and as the land is Maori lease he has asked the Maori Land Board to give him a report on how this land can be acquired.