DAMAGE BY FLOODS

Taranaki Daily News, 15 November 1926, Page 11

DAMAGE BY FLOODS

MINISTER VISITS WEST COAST. By Telegraph.—Tress Association. Reefton, Saturday. The Minister of Public Works (Hon. K. S. Williams) arrived at Reefton at noon and inspected the flood damage at Mawheraiti en route from Grey mouth. He received deputations and left for Westport to view the destroyed bridge over Larry’s Creek on the way and also the damage in the Inangahua and Buller valleys. Tlie Hon. K. 8. Williams, Minister of Public Works, arrived last evening from Reefton where, and en route, he inspected the damage caused by the recent floods. He was accorded a eivie reception by the Mayor, Mr. C. N. Greenland, oir this, the Minister’s first visit to Westport. Mr. H. E. Holland, M.P., for the electorate, and Leader of the Opposition, Mr. J. H. Powell, chairman of the Buller County Council, Mr. J. Menzies, ex-Mayor of Westport, and Mr. F. S. Wood, for the Buller Progress League, also spoke in welcome. The Minister, ip reply, thanked the speakers and expressed regret that his first visit was made at a time when such disaster had hgen brought about by the floods. He intended to make full inquiry while here and in the adjoining districts, and would see what could lie done in the way of relief. To-day, the Minister, accompanied by the staff engineers and representatives of the citizens of Westport and Buller County inspected the riverbank at ,the sites of the worst encroachments, and also inspected the homes which are typical of all of those that suffered flood damage. The Minister makes a tour of the coastal road as far as Tiromoana on Monday and takes deputations in the evening, leaving overland for Nelson to-morrow.