HON. J. G. COATES.

Auckland Star, Volume LIII, Issue 129, 2 June 1922, Page 2

HON. J. G. COATES.

I RECEIVES DEPUTATIONS. I A REMUERA MATTER. The Hon. ,1. G. Coates, Minister of Pubiio Works and Postmaater-Goncra.l, received « number of deputations in Auckland this morning. Mr. .1. 8. Dickson, M.P.. introduced n immhnr of Remucra renidenta who desired that the tower at the Remuera post office, should be raised about ten or fifteen feet so that v <-Ick-U might bo installed, lie explained that the I resilients were prepared to contribute several hundred pounds for ihe clock if the Minister would authorise this I alteration. He also urs»pd that a slot telephone should be installed in the vicinity of the post office. The' Minister: If you can guarantee the revenue 1 do not see why you cannot have it. Tie added that with reference to the tower, although he did not | favour them, ho would haw necessary i information prepared in connection with the matter. I After consulting hi* departmental . officers, the Minister informed tlie i deputation that the slot machine had ■been authorised. -So T think you will get it ibefore long." said Mr. Oonte.3. <;rrv lynx post office. Mr. F. N. Uartram, M.I". introduced a representative number of (irey I-viin electors, who requested that the post office at Arch Hill should be closed, as the postal interest of the district would be better served by a post office at the terminus of the second tramway section lat <irev Lynn. The Hon. .1. G. Clarland. M.l-C. Save the request his cordial support. | The Minister said he recognised that ] the matter was an urgent one from | the point of view of -retting business for his department, and promised to j give it every consideration. "We will | have to take our own time and sec what | can be done." he concluded. WAITEMATA COUNTY | A deputation from the Waitemiila ! jC'ounty Council informed the Minister that "the commencement of certain bridge and road work in the county wafc imperative. Mr. A. HarrK M.1., intro- j duced the deputation. The Minister: Have you diacuseed | these matters with the district engineer , ; i Captain Theet: Not all of them, but i we know what we are goii>£ to ask for. I The Minister: What you are going to! ask. for and what you are going to get j are two different matters! Unless these j matters have been diavuefied witli the engineer I always think we are talking j thin air. Mr. Coatee agreed with Mr. C. A. Jackson, county engineer, that if he i could <iive some idea of the annual grant it would facilitate the matter of preparing estimates for the work*. After a number of what he termed absolutely urgent works had been enumerated by Captain Theet I county I chairman) the Minister heard several other councillors. With reference to certain work that had been carried out in connection with, the Silverdale wharf, the Hon. Mr. Coates replied that he saw no reason why the council should not obtain £1000 from the Public Trust Oflice at about 7 per cent., with which to pay for the ■ work. CASTOR BAY SETTLER?. Mr. London placed before the Minister the unfortunate position of Castor Bay residents, who were now much inconvenienced and partly ieolated owing to a bridge in the vicinity being dismantled. The Minister replied that he would ' go into the matter. The apportionment of cost would have to be decided if a new bridge had to be erected. Referring to other matters. Mr. Coates said they would receive hie attention when he returned to Wellington. THE TAKAPfiN'A TRAMWAY. Mr. Harris alßo introduced a deputation consisting of the Mayor (Mr. A. M. Could), and the Town Clerk of Takapuua. requesting that an Order-in-C'ntincil should be drafted in connection with any alterations in the tramway service. The Minister complied with the request. "MUST CUT YOUR CLOTH." A deputation from Thames was introduced by Mr. T. W. Rhodes. M.P., requesting assistance by way of subsidy towards certain roads in the Turua district under the control of the Hauraki County Council. On a basis of £ for f, the sum of £ -101)0 was required. The Minister: "If you ask for a greatj deal of money, gentlemen, I cannot helpj you. Tf you like to extend your pro-| gramme over a number of years, f may be able to help you. We have unemployment, and other matters which I have to make provision for. The economic standpoint has to l>e considered. You have got to cut your cloth the same as others all over the country. I am sorry for you, but that is the position, gentlemen.' . He advised the deputation to confer with the Auckland office of the Public Works Department on the matter. THE RANOIRIRI HILLS. A large deputation representing the I Automobile Association. was introduced Iby Sir Frederic Lang, M.P.. desiring I that certain improvements. other than those now in progress, should be 1 carried out at the Rangiriri Hills Road. It was urged that this should be made an urgent work, as the road was recognised as an important highway connection between Auckland and Wellington. It would be a matter for much regret if the work was only partially carried out, and not speedily completed. In the course of a very sympathetic reply, Mr. Coates said he recognised that the work was important and urgent, but at present he could give no idea of the amount provided for on the estimate for the work. Whether Parliament woulj consider the work of such importance, he could not say. The matter would lw carefully considered. The Minister' pointed out. however, that where public) money was expended on roads he would like to see some adequate method of future control. ''Rrmds soon deteriorate." he added, "and if there is no proper method of control, well, the roads arc anybody and everybody's job." 1 REMISSION OF DUTIES. ; "I think you have come to the wrong , man," replied the Minister, to a' depu- ■ |tation from the Auckland Power Board: • "Mr. Massey is Minister of Finance." Mr. W. J. Holdsworth: We thought you might be able to do something for , us. Jl was the desire of the board that thp duties on electrical and boiler plant now heinjr installed by the board, should be remit ted. ' I Mr. Coates: Mr. Massey is a very hard r 'inan to get a rebate from. The Mmiii ster promised that certain information ■ should be given the board, setting out ' approximately the date of completion at f Horahora. He would also keep the I hoard posted as to what was being done ; at Arapuni.