MINISTER OF PUBLIC WORKS AT WESTPORT.

Westport Times, Volume VI, Issue 940, 9 March 1872, Page 2

MINISTER OF PUBLIC WORKS AT WESTPORT.

A deputation, consisting of Messrs Munro, Humphrey, Field, Braghicavich, Simpson, Seaton, and Powell, introduced by Mr O'Conor. M.H.R., waited upon the Hon. Minister of Public Works, at Gilmer's Hotel, yesterday evening. Mr Munro stated that the object of the deputation was to urge upon the Government the necessity of pressing forward the road works in the Inangahua Valley. He pointed out in very forcible terms the great advantages that would result to the inhabitants of the district from the early completion of the proposed road ; and he also drew attention to the serious results that would most certainly ensue if the road were not made before the coming winter had fairly set in. Mr Munro also pointed out that the inhabitants had dcn3 everything in their power to improve the natural facilities for traffic presented by the Buller river, and that the public waited Avith impatience the commencement of the road w hich had been promised so long, and on which there seemed as yet nothing done. Mr Munro also stated that the deputatioa desired to apply to the Government for more frequent mail communication between Westport and the Inangahua Valley ; he characterised the present mail communication as entirely inadequate to the requirements of the district, and pointed out that being so it entailed Hot only serious inconvenience, but also a considerable loss of revenue to the Government, all letters now sent to any of the intermediate centres of population between Westport and Reefton, were necessarily sent by band in consequence of no post-office being established either at the Land, ing, Larry's Creek, or Boatman's, although the mailman passed close to there on his route. He hoped the Government would arrange for a more frequont and thorough mail service, assuring Mr Reeves that it was very much required. Mr Reeves, in his reply, which we regret want of space compels us very much to curtail, said that he fully recognised the necessity for pushing forward the roai} works alluded to, and that such was the object of his visit. He had, since his arrival, made ar- ,

rangements to that end ; and he had invested Mr Dobson with more ample powers thau were generally conceded by Government to gentlemen of his profession, because the urgency of the work) and his desire to leave him entirely untrammelled by that circum. locution which usually attended Go vernment operations. The road work had been divided into three sections one of which had been already let. Tenders for the other two would be called for in this day's paper. Ar. rangements had been made so that if contractors did not come forward satisfactorily, or did not carry on their work with the necessary expedition, Mr Dobson would then have it completed under his own supervision by day labor. Nothing more could be done in the mean time, and Mr Dob* son, in whose diligence and ability the Government have most implicit re* liauce, had assured him that if no extraordinary circumstances inter 4 vene the road would be completed in a thorough manner by the middle or end of May. Regarding the mail service, he was informed that the Premier had already communicated the views of the inhabitants to the proper department, and he also would make a memorandum on the subject, as he fully recognised its importance. In reply to a question regarding the explo. rations of Mount Rochfort, Mr Reeves stated that the work was entirely in the charge and under the control of Dr Hector, who had not as yet com' pleted it nor reported thereon. The deputation withdrew, thanking the Minister of Public Works for the fullness and readiness of his reply, and for the satisfactory result of his personal intervention.