WORKS MINISTER.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 139, 14 June 1934, Page 9

WORKS MINISTER.

TOUR IN PROVINCE. MANY REPRESENTATIONS. ROADS AND BRIDGES. (By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) THAMES, this day. In company with Mr. A. M. Samuel, M.P. for Thames, the Hon. .J. Bitchener, Minister of Public Works, is making a successful visit to various parts of the electorate, meeting settlers and discussing local problems with representative deputations, whosft requests cover a wide field of subjects. After his arrival at Paeroa yesterday, tlie Minister made an early start with his ofliciaT duties, and, following tho representations of the first deputation, headed by Mr. J. W. Silcoek, instructed his officers to investigate the question of improving the Waitoki stream, which floods the highway, the railway, and neighbouring lands in heavy rains. An inspection was then made of Kennedy's and Dickey's Flat Roads at Waitewhcta, where Mr. Bitchener promised to consider the metalling of the J'oads and the concreting of fi ford in the stream at Harris' farm. The metalling of various roads on the Waihi Plains was examined, and a brief visit was made to tho Waihi mine. A Hauraki Plains County deputation, led by Mr. W. Madgwick, sought a subsidy of £-2 for £1 on the cost of metalling of Hamilton. Road at Kercpcehi. the Minister stating that ho would review the request when the Estimates were being framed. A decision on the spot was made by Mr. Bitchener when replying to the representations of the chairman of the Ohinemuri County Council for further assistance in the erection of a bridge over the Waitekauri stream, the Minister agreeing to increase the subsidy from £100 to £207 and that the work be done on wages instead of on contract. Speaking at a luncheon at Paeroa, the Minister expressed hie gratification with tho work men in unemployment camps wero doing all over the country. Mauy settlers in the back areas would still be without metalled road access had it not been for the assistance of the Unemployment Fund. Thames Needs. There were further deputations awaiting the Minister on his arrival at Thames in the evening. A request for the completion of the Kauaeranga Valley Road, through Tairua to the east coast was made by Mr. C. S. Donovan, president of the Chamber of Commerce, and Mr. A. G. T. Bryan, representing the Thames Development Committee, both of whom pointed out that the new road would shorten the distance between Thames and Tairua considerably, open up good farming land and assist mining. The Minister said he would hear further representations at Tairua. Mr. Bitchener promised another deputation to obtain an engineer's report on the., cost of preventing further erosion from the Kauaerauga River. The county chairman, Mr. H. Lowe, asked for a grant towards forming one mile of road off the Maratoto Road, at Hikutaia. The Minister said a grant was already on the estimates. Several Puriri settlers asked for assistance in replacing the swing bridge for foot traffic and saving school children tha li miles walk. The. Minister offered £50 of the £80 required. Assistance in clearing the outlet of the central railway drain to the Waihou River was sought by a 'deputation of Matatoki settlers. The Minister said the request would be considered. A deputation from the Miners' Union asked for relief from the imposition of compulsory insurance by subsidised prospectors. The Minister promised to forward the views to the proper quarters. NTo-day Mr. Bitchener is visiting Coromandel.