ANOTHER SURPRISE AT GENOA CONFERENCE

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume L, Issue 7969, 26 April 1922, Page 3

ANOTHER SURPRISE AT GENOA CONFERENCE

♦ A, RCSSO-HUNGARIAN TREATY. By Telegraph— fi«B» association—ropyrtr * A’ljiraluvr. »nH N.k,. liable Aisociauon Rec April 26, morning, London, April 25. The Australian Press correspondent at Genoa states! that it is unofficially reported that a RussoHungarian treaty was signed on Saturday, creating a block between Poland and the Little Entente. LORI) BIRKENHEAD'S VIEWS. Genoa, April 24.

Viscount Birkenhead, British Lord Chancellor, attired in flannels and a yachting cap, addressed British and American newspaper men. He said that everyone should bring a contribution, not carping criticism to the Conference. The three Commissioners were doing great work, which stultified the efforts of those who looked for the failure of the Conference. He already saw reasons for hoping that the last war might conceivably be really the last. They must not regard the Bolsheviks as fools. If they were they would not have retained so long unchallenged the control of so large an area of country'. The Hungarians denied they had signed a treaty with Germany, but h,c believed ithere had been some discussions on the subject. Whatever views we had on |he subject of the Russian Government we must recognise that it was a commonplace of international law that every nation was entitled to its own form of Government. FRANCE PRESSING FOR ULTIMATUM TO RUSSIA. Rec April 26, 9.5 a.m, London, April 25.

The Central News’ Genoa correspondent states that the French delegation has declared that they will press for a forty-eight hours ultimatum to Russia, otherwise they will leave tho conference. In the event of France withdrawing the Allies will continue the discussion.

at 1.15 p.m. and was welcomed by Mr W. Reid, Chairman of the Whakatane- County Council. Mr Sumner, on behalf of the Kangitaiki Dairy Company, made a request that cream be carried on the railway from Awakaponga, Eiversleigh and Tarawera to the factory at Awakeri. They could, not cope with the transport of cream by lorry and he asked for an assurance that the railway would carry the cream from September next. The Minister replied that he realised the position, lie pointed out that railway construction was the first consideration, but he would go into the question and see what could be done.

Mr Reid, on behalf of the Whakatane County Council, asked for assistance in the re-construction of the Waimana Bridge. Mr Furkert said it was proposed to grant a ill for ill subsidy up to iISOOO, but no subsidy beyond that amount.

Mr Reid asked that t lie railway line through the Waimaua Gorge be defined. He also made a request for financial assistance towards the cost of the Whakatane bridge near Taneatua.

Mr Coales said he had: not yet finally dealt, with the latter question.

Mr G. W. Murray, for the Whakatane County Council, urged that assistance be given towards making a railway siding into the quarry at Matata, as metal was urgently required for roads in the district. The Minister said he would think the matter over and send a reply. Mr W. R. Boon, Mayor of Whakatane, said they had. an assurance that the branch line to Whakatane would be authorised, and he urged that it be constructed to the freezing works at Whakatane as early as possible. Mr P. Keegan supported Mr Boon’s remarks.

Mr Coates said the question had been previously considered. It had been decided to push on to Taneatua as rapidly as possible, but he would go into the matter again. Mr G. Yeoman asked that a passenger service be run from Matata to Awakeri twice a week on steamer days. He also requested that a receiving agent be appointed at Awakeri.

Mr Coates said it all meant delay in connection with the construction work, lie would discuss the question again with the Departmental officers.

Messrs Reid and Boon expressed appreciation of the manner in which the work of the railway was being pushed 011. Sir William Henries and Mr Markmau paid a visit to Whakatane.

The Minister of Public Works left the train at the Awakeri terminus and proceeded on horseback as far as the end of the work in progress at the Whakatane River at Taneatua 98 miles 30 chains from Waihi. The party again boarded train at Awakeri at 3.40 on the return to Taurauga. Matata was left at 5 o’clock and the party returned to (own via Matapihi, reaching Taurauga at seven o’clock, the Minister having travelled over 120 miles during the day. Air R. King and Mr Donald Grant joined the

parly at Tc Puke and came on to Tauranga. Hon. J. G. Coates interviewed after the inspection of the line, said lie noticed marked signs of progress in the direction of developing the land since his last visit 10 the Bay , f Plenty. The railway construction work had been pushed on some six miles since his last visit and the rails and sleepers for that length would bo pushed forward. There were over seven hundred men at work on, roads and railways in the Tauranga district, about 530 being < n railway works. Five steam shovels were also employed.

LOCAL DEPUTATIONS

Owing lu the Minister's' late arrival from his inspection of the railway line lo Awaken, it was 8 o'clock before lie reached the Coronation Hall, where various deputations waited upon him. The hall was packed, and the Mayor (Mr 15. Dive) presided. The first deputation was that in connection with railway construction, the speakers being Colonel Ward and Mr T. Tanner. Colonel Waial said he wished to make it perfectly plain that all he was asking for was what the people Telb they were fully entitled to. lie had never seen a meeting of the kind: so well attended. This ho look to bo not only an honour to lire Minister, but a very forceful expression of the importance attached to the matter of railway construction. The request he had to make was that the Minister pledge himself tfj complete the railway bridge over Tauranga harbour within eighteen months from now and simultaneously and vigorously carry on the construction between Tauranga and Waiiii. Tn 1910 the then Minder for Public Works had written stating that the Government were considering commencing the construction of flic railway between Tauranga and Waiiii, and during the twelve years since not a rail had been laid. 'Regarding the bridge ho asked no more than that, if necessary, the work be expedited to ensure its completion within eighteen month:;. In the Tauranga County there were some 120,000 acres, nearly all capable of being turned to profitable account, which would ieqd the railway. It was impossible to make the road a good road for rapid motor traffic. If made a concrete road the hills would be impossible for horses. If was therefore necessary to either construct an entirely new road or build a railway. If the railway were built the local authorities could then make the road fairly usable for the settlers, instead of trying to make a road for through traflic, which was an unfair tax upon the settlers. The North Island had still 445 miles less railways than the South, while the North had 60,81 of the population. Therefore on a population basis the north island required 1053 more miles of railway—or put into money fifteen million pounds. He did not ask that that amount be raised but it certainly pointed to the fact that a more vigorous railway policy in the North island was wanted, Ihe population in the Tauranga County Tauranga Borough and Te Puke town district) had according tod he Government Statistician, increased 31 1-2 per cent, in twelve, months. Between Tauranga and the end of the County towards Katikati the population had increased between 1906 and: 1921 from 946 to 2301 - 150 per cent while during the same period the Dominion's increase had been 38 percent. These were fairly telliim figures. The land had also considerably increased in value, and within the same district were two soldier settlements, These returned men had been largely influenced in malemg their selection by the knowledge that, a railway was to be constructed As an evidence of the quality of the land Colonel Ward pointed out that the Herd Testing Association on the Rangitaiki plains made a test of their herds and (lie best averaged 29.981 b per cow in March and the worst 17.29 That gave an Association average of 22.341 b. for March. Ju s t recently on the Waihi plains, winch was not regarded as the best of land, from an ordinary herd of twenty cows-half of then. ,ieile ? tlle averaga f«r the same mouth was 251 b - nearly 31b better than the Rangihiki average. That was sufficient evidence Unit the land through which the railway would pass was capable of giving a splendid return. In conclusion he slross*vi tho h oi "t that the district had been so long waiting for the promised railway that it was hoped a better time was now at band. He trusted the Minister would go away nnnressod with the fact that the people were merely asking for what thevr Kelmved their Jue. i Mr Tanner said the railway a^ r ’ 33 harbour was the . “ f Cor * f Meratk.n, lm that was go, Pig on, and it was not desire J to in-

terfere v, itli it. What he desired to emphasise was the importance of connecting the district by railway with the main system.

There was a large area of good land in the district capable of carrying a large population. We had a good climate, and so every inducement for settlement, but settlement had been kept back for want of railway connection. The Government could do nothing better to encourage settlement than by railway connection, as population generally followed the railway and that meant mere production, which is most important at present for the whole Dominion. Population also meant more revenue for local bodies, and consequently better roads at less expense to the Government. He was convinced that once we had railway connection this would be one of the host producing districts in New Zealand, and one of the best paying lines, which was what the country wanted at present. Once the line were completed it would take all he,avy traffic off the roads. It would also relieve the Government of the expense of carrying the mails by road from Waihi to Tauranga and Rotorua via Tauranga. Another great advantage of the railway would be in enabling farmers to get cheap lime, which was much needed. What, the settlers wanted above everything else was railway connection.

The Minister's Reply. The Minister in rising to reply was greeted with applause. He first expressed his appreciation of the hospitable manner in which he had been welcomed, and was particularly pfenscJ to hear the views expressed on tho matter of railways. At the same time the importance of the matter was as well known to him as to the speakers. The question had been very carefully considered, and after it had been thoroughly gone into the Public Works .Statement was drafted. He was afraid that Colonel Ward had taken a very one-sided view of the matter. He had stated clearly what was wanted, but had overlooked the difficulties in the way of the Department in being able to meet those requests. tic (the Minister) had had an opportunity of seeing the greater poition of New Zealand during the past few years, and had a fair idea of the various parts requiring devedopment. Having this knowledge it was necessary for him to make his recommendations to his colleagues accordingly. He was out to see all he possibly could of the country and learn the views of the people. Me was- and he believed the Government was also—very sympathetic towards the baekblockers. He thoroughly understood and appreciated their position. The Government, however, could not do everything, for the simple reason that they had not the money. Colonel Ward had referred to the promise of a railway made in 1910. Mr Massey and his parly were not then in power, and he doubted very much whether the expenditure then exceeded £30,000 to £35,000. In 1921 tho vote for the East Coast line was £172,000, and this; had been exceeded by £17,000, so that the expenditure was nearly £2OO, 000, and in face of this it was said that the Government was doing nothing for the Tauranga district. We had about a million people in New Zealand and we spent about a million pounds a year in railway construction-an average of about twenty-five miles a year, which was not bad. it all depended how the money available could be allocated. What had been asked was that there be no slackening on the Tancatna end, but that work be also pushed on at this end. This meant that eight or nine excavators and about 500 men were wanted, if the work was Lo be pushed on in anything like a satisfactory manner. He had nothing to say aboutjhe land or the district. There was no part of New Zealand in which it would pay better to construct a railway. There may be some as good, but none better. Rut the difficulty was to carry out all the work that had been suggested. The suggestion, to pul in hand a complete section of

lino and not disconnected portions, lie took as a compliment in having his own views so forcibly backed up. llis policy, and that of the Government was to concentrate upon the three main lines in New Zealand, viz., the Midland, the East Coast line, and the North Auckland main trunk. The position of the last-mentioned line was that between £900,000 and £1,000,000 was lying idle, not earning interest, and it would take about £250,000 to connect it up. To complete the works asked for by the deputation would cost about £950,000, Let the speakers imagine for a moment that they had to decide what was to be done. With only £250,000 required to complete the North Auckland gap would they knock the men off there and transfer them to the Tauranga-Waihi gap 1 There was only a million pounds available, and it could not be increased. Was it not better to forge ahead with that line and when it was completed to turn the attention to the next section. Had it not been for the unemployment the three lines he had mentioned would have been practically the only lines in New Zealand under construction at present. But the slump, financial difficulties and general depression came, and it became necessary to make allocations of money for dillerent works throughout the country, which upset the programme to some extent. It was impossible to ask men to go great distances from their homes to find work, ami so enable the Government to adhere to its policy. Work had to be found for them near their homes. It was the responsibility of the Government to find work foi* men who were hard up, and every local authority and: every employer in the country should carefully consider before putting a man off. A good deal of money bad therefore to be distributed throughout the country, and concentration had, to some extent, been upset. The district was going ahead, and there was no better field; in New Zealand where Government money could be spent with the certainty of getting a return for if. The present policy was to construct to Taneatua and then reconsider the position. In the meantime the line would be connected to Athenree. It was never contemplated, however, that the Government was to make a metalled road to Athenree. tic was afraid some misconstruction had been [nit upon a statement he made some little time ago that lie diet not purpose purchasing material. lie wished to make it clear that this did not apply to public works generally, but particularly to relief works which, were being provided for the unemployed. Whatever money was available he wished to spend in wages, and to devote no portion of it to the purchase of machinery or plant, for which payment would have to be made outside. Summed up the position was that the deputation wanted to know when a start would be made with the line between Tauranga and Waihi. He could not remember an occasion in any district in which such interest had been shown in any matter brought before him, and where there had been such a representative gathering. He did not want to disappoint anyone, but ho never made promises, all he could say was that when the matter came before Mr Massey and bis colleagues be would make his representations, and what he had seen and heard that night would certainly not be forgotten. (Applause). Railway and Wharf.

Mr R. King, Chairman of the Harbour Board, introduced the question of the cost of building the new wharf at Tauranga, and of connecting it with the .railway. The Board had; been furnished originally with an estimate of £70,000, but after consultation this had been reduced to £41,000. The Board was quite willing to undertake the liability of erecting the wharf and sheds, but felt that the cost of railway sidings, etc. to connect it. with the railway was a fair charge against the East Coast main trunk line. If the Government insisted on the Board bearing the cost it would bcTcome such, a burden that the Board could not carry on. The Board had carried a loan proposal for £125,000 and had no money available beyond £24,000 of that amount to be spent on wharf construction. Mr Macmillan outlined the earlier negotiations for the construction of the railway into Tauranga, and pointed out that in giving the Department the concession to bring the line along the water front it had been saved a considerable amount in compensation. The whole object in going past the front of the town was to connect the railway with the wharf. The cost of the wharf was then estimated at £IO,OOO. If the Board now accepted £70,000 as its liability, the interest, sinking fund and depreciation would have to

be derived from people getting goods over the wharf, and 95 per cent, of that would have to be paid by the people of Tauranga, who would receive no benefit from the lailway connection with the wharf. Tauranga was the central point for any place down the line, and the nearest point for any place on the western side of the harbour. If there were 110 wharf connection in Tauranga eoods would have to be O C transhipped at the Mount and railed from there, thereby incurring considerable extra mileage. It was strongly felt that railway connection should be made here, and that the cost should be a charge on the construction of the railway generally.

The .Mayor and Crs Whiting and Jones also represented the position on behalf of the borough. The Minister intimated that he would meet members of the Board privately the following morning and discuss the matter. He had no doubt that an amicable agreement could be arrived at. Road to Rotorua,

Mr King stated that in January last a letter had been received by the Harbour Board from the Minister stating that a trial survey was being made for a good metalled road between Tauranga and Rotorua, and asked whether the Minister could give any information as to the present position.

The Minister stated that trial surveys had been made and it, was now known that a good road line can be obtained.

It was now a question as to what was to be done with it, and the matter would come up for consideration when the Estimates were being prepared. Railway to Mainaku. Messrs Murdoch and Robbins brought under the Minister’s notice the petition which had been prepared for the formation of a railway district to construct a railway from Tauranga to Mamaku. No promise or pledge was asked for, the object being merely to place the matter before the Minister in order that when the petition —which was now ready—was sent in, the Minister would be in a position to advise the Government.

The Minister replied that he would be very pleased to consider the matter when it came before him, and also when it came before Cabinet.

Omanawa Road

Air Southey (county Chairman) asked that the Government make a grant towards the Omanawa Falls road, which has carried a good deal of traffic in addition to the ordinary traffic of the settlers, of whom there were only a few. It was really a tourist road to the falls where the borough council’s electric power house was situated.

Mr J. E. Taylor and Mr L. P. Jensen also stressed the importance of getting some assistance to put the road in order.

Mr Coates said lie would get a report from liis engineer and look into the request. Mr H. Southey (county Chairman) referred to the small amounts on the Public Works Estimates for works in Tauranga County. Further, certain sums against loan moneys, which were on the previous Estimates, had been withdrawn, He asked that if the Council expended the loan moneys that subsidies of £1 for £1 be voted for Tau-ranga-Tc Puke Road (£2,500), Maketu Riding (£2,000) and Tau-ranga-Waihi Road (about £2,000). Mr Coates replied he could not make any commitments ahead 1 , but if particulars were furnished as to the various works he would say whether he would place the votes on the Estimates.

Mr Southey urged that motor traffic should contribute towards the cost of roads. Tyre tax was now being collected. He also asked that portion of vote of £IOOO 011 Estimates for Otawa Road be transferred for a bridge over Kirikiri Stream. He also urged that heavy motor traffic should! be controlled.

The Minister said the question of motor traffic was an important matter and a conference was to be held shortly to consider the question of dealing with, itl The question of feeder roads for the railwmy lines was also one of vital importance. Mr Robbins moved—That a hearty vote of thanks be- passed to the Hon. Mr Coates for having visited ijhe district and received the deputations. The motion was seconded by Colonel Ward and carried by acclamation.

Mr Coates returned thanks for the vote and the meeting closed at 10.20 p.m.

TE PUNA REQUESTS

The Ministerial party, accompanied by Sir William Merries, Mr F. S. Dyson (district engineer of the Public Works Department) and Mr J. Darragh (representing ihe Tanranga County Council) left for Katikati at 940 a.m, yesterday. Over twenty settlers of the Omokoroa and Te Puna districts met the Hon. J. G. Coates at the southern end of the Omokoroa Road. The settlers were introduced to the Minister of Public Works by Sir William Merries MrC.E, Cane was spokesman. He staled there were over three thousand acres of farm lands between the East Coast main road, where they were standing, and the seaboard, and many thousand of acres southward of the main road. The settlers had neither railway nor road. This land had been looked upon as poor but he assured the Minister that its productive qualities were bfyond dispute, and exhibited a few 7 products that had been gathered that morning. These products, which were inspected

by the Minister, inclided the fourth cut of lucerne a good healthy sample— mangolds, carrots, kumikumi amt maiz?. He (Mr Gane) stressed the need of the railway for the full development of the land, as fertilisers were necessary, and could be brought in at a fair rate compared with £4 2s 6d per ton, the cost of lime to the local settlers to day Pedigree cattle were wanted, and the railway was reqjired for the transport of stock* If (hey had a railway numerous new settlers would come to the district. This area was producing a large quantity of cream, but the cost ot sending it to the factory was about a penny lb. Products like maize, fruit, and eggs were practically blocked from the market for the want of a railway They wanted better roads. The big service cars were damaging the roads to a great degree. The progress of the district was being hindered by the holding of unde velopcd lands by speculators, and by old militarp owned areas. The land was all right, and was splendid grass country. If they had a railway and better roads the district would benefit greatlv, and he asked for the Minister’s assistance.

The Hon. Mr Coates, in reply ing, said he was pleased to meet the settlers. So far as the railway was concerned he was there to fees they got it. and the number of men at work lower down the line was a fair indication of the energy that was being put into it. This gap would require tackling with a good crowd of men and the necessary plant and equipment, and by tackling it in that manner it would be done quickly and with satisfaction to all concerned. He assured his hearers that everyone realises it is necessary to make this con* nection, and as soon as the more important lines were finished he hoped to be in a position to tackle it. As regards the road, certain deviations had been laid out. The Department’s intention was to get these deviations made and then, with the assistance of the County Council, they could get the permanent work done. Messrs J. Prole and Prior asked Mr Coates to use his influence in the direction of having the Omokoroa school enlarged. Mr Coates promised that, with SirWm Herries, he would see Mr Parr on the matter, Mr Gane thanked Mr Coates for having met the settlers and the visitors resumed the journey to Katikati.

RECEPTION AT KATIKATI

A large number of settlers of the Katikati district waited on the Hon. J. G. Coates in the Ag ricultural and Pastoral Society’s new building. In addition to Sir Wm. Hcrries, the other Parliamentary representative, for the Katikati district, Mr H Poland, was also presentMr George Alley made out a strong case for railway connec tion. He said the district had a bad boat service. The road was almost impassable, and it was a costly job getting goods and fertilisers conveyed from Waihi. He appealed to Mr Coates to finish the line to Uretara and then push on towards Tauranga. They had a very good district here. It would grow almost anything, and was one of the best truit districts in New Zealand There was not a better butter district anywhere. He thought Mr Coates was the man who would give them the railway. The Katikati district would milk between 5,000 and 7,000 cows if properly farmed.

The Hon. Mr Coates I don’t dispute it. The district shows great signs of improvement, Mr Allejq continuing, stated ' that the Katikati district responded very genercusly when proper- | ly farmed. He reiterated that it was a good fruit-growing area, but the great drawback was they had no access to the markets. Mr Cloutman said there were millions tons of stone in the Gorge available for road making. As I regards railway construction he advocated the contract system as against day labour. Mr W, J. Gray said he had been connected with the main road question for forty years. There was a very bad stretch of about three and-a half miles in the Te Puna district, which could be improved by deviations and metalling. With the railway brought nearer , a good road would enable the people from the coast to come up and travel by the railway. He asked the Minister.to grant a £2 for £1 sub sidy up to, say, £3,000 or £4,000 to improve the bad section of road mentioned above. He referred to the bad state of the Hikurangi Gorge Road. The sum of £ll2O had been spent on it, the County,Council contributing over £3OO. When the Council paid its share it was understood that 3* miles would be properly metalled and a decent road provided, but they had been disappointed. He urged that the Department should put and keep the Gorge Road in good order. At about 6 miles 50 chains from Waihi there was a very ugly bend, which was dangenus. He asked Mr Coates to direct his officers to cut down this hill to the level of the railway. It was an expensive piece of country to shift but it was aver/ necessary and important job. Mr John Hume asked the Minister for a free grant to metal the road between Athenree and Aongatete. He stressed the heavy cost of lime and fertilisers consequent cn the lack of the railway and the bad state of the roads. He quoted figures up to £775 per annum, showing the heavy cost of sending the butter from the dairy factory ro Auckland After furnishing figures Mr Hume

asked: "How can we compete with other places and live.” Mr Hume, continuing, said he had heard that Mr Coates intended to push the railway to Kati* kati.

Mr Coates—Fo Tuapiro. We can get there comparatively quickly. Mr Hume urged that Hirse Shoe Gully should be graded and metalled.

Mr Coates, in replying, said it was a question of cost of transport. He realised the fact that it was costing the settlers one penny per lb to cart their butter to the train or port. He was there to endeavour to improve transport facilities. He knew they wanted a railway. He did not question the possibilities of the district. He believed that with decent transportation this country will come into profitable occupation, and it responds quickly. There were ten bridges to bring the line up to Tuapiro. Four of the bridges were finished; three others were nearly finished; and arrangements were being made for the other three. He pointed out that work was being carried out by small co operative contracts under the Department. He contended that it would not be wise to let large contracts on a falling maiket. The amount spent in this district was about £33,000, but the vote for the East Coast Main Trunk line this year had been over-expended by over £20,000 It is necessary to connect the East Coast line as early as possible. The three principal railway works were the Midland East Coast, and North Auckland lines. The Midland construction woik would be out of hand at the end of the year. Heavy construction on the North Auckland line would be done in ten months. The Department will then have a lot of plant and material available, and this will mean they will be able to concentrate on other important lines.(Mechanical appliances speed up construction. He hoped it would not be long before the Government could tackle this job with plant, material and money. They hid asked for money to metal, roads. It was important to make provision to feed railways, as they wanted the settlers to produce for the railways. He would ask Mr Dyson to report on the matter. There was a big difficulty in the way—that was money. The Department had laid off deviations, which they proposed to make, but there would not be much metalling this winter. The Gorge Point was in hand. He dwelt on the big responsibilities of County Councils. Their aims were the same as those of the Public Works Department. Both have to pull together and make the very best of ’the money they have got. The County Council should be in direct touch with the Public Works Department’s engineer. The Minister concluded his reply with another reference to the railway, and said: “I think we can bring the railway to Tuapiro within eighteen months.”

Mr G. Alley, on behalf of the deputation, expressed his satisfaction with the Minister’s reply.

Mr K. Morton referred to the question of erecting caltledips. The Gazette stated that cattle must be dipped, but no rating powers were conferred. The settlers of Katikati had struck a levy to meet the cost of a clip, but only half of it was paid, and the dip was only half finished. The Agricultural and Pastoral Association was administering the dip. He asked that,the local body be given power to levy a rate to meet the cost of cattle dips. Mr Coates replied that the re quest was reasonable, but legislation would be required. He would be glad to go with Sir William Herries and interview the Hon. W. Nosworthy (Minister of Agriculture), but if legislation were required that would be a matter for the Minister of Internal Affairs. Sir Wm Herries said the Minister of Agriculture had expressed his willingness to help the settiers. Mr F. C. Baines referred to the need for additional accommodation at the Katikati No 2. School. The school provided accomocla tion for fifty children, while the number on the roll was seventy six. The average for the last quarter was sixty-six, and the overcrowding was very serious for the children There was eight square feet of space for each child as against the regulation of twelve square feet. The attention of the Auckland Education Board had been drawn to the matter, but so far without avail. The people desired a school to accommodate 120 children, as the district is growing. He asked Mr Coates to lay the matter before his colleague, the Minister of Education.

Mr Baines presented a request for a more frequent mail service. He stated that the present triweekly service had been instituted many years ago, and to day was out of date. Three motor services were operating against one coach service when the triweekly mail service was estab lished. He instanced the rapid progress made by the district during late years, as shown by the three motor services, the large increase in the butter factory’s output, the number of new buildings erected, and the marked increase in the number of cattle. The only thing that has not progressed with the district is the mail service. Recently a parcel sent from Dunedin took eleven days to reach him. Before the present contract had been let a petition was circulated for a daily service, and was supported by various public bodies in Tauranga, Waihi, and Auckland. A tri-weekly mail service was out of date, and they asked that a

dally mail service be instituted at the earliest passible moment. Jt was no extravagance, no luxury, but a matter of necessity. Mr Coates, in reply to the representations concerning school accommodation, said, with Sir William Herries, he would be pleased to see the Hon C. J. Parr (Minister of Education). As regards the mail service he would go into it and let Mr Baines know what can be done.

The Hon. J. G. Coates, and members of his party, Sir Win, Herries, and Mr H. Poland were then entertained to dinner by the people of Katikati, about seventy settlers being present. Katikati, always noted for its hospitality, once again rose to the occasion, an excellent repast being provided in the Agricultural and Pastoral Society’s commodious building. The catering was in the capable hands of Mr A. Johnston, who enjoys a wide popularity as the proprietor of the Talisman Hotel, which a visitor stated yesterday is one of the best conducted country houses in New Zealand Mr W. Taylor, an old resident of Katikati, presided. After full justice had been done to the good things provided the toast of “The King”, was proposed and duly honoured.

The Chairman then proposed the health of Sir William Harries and the Hon. J G Coates.—The toast was honoured in a very enthusiastic manner.

Sir William Herries returned thanks. He said the Hon J. G.

Coates was one of the best “ colts ” that had ever entered a Ministry, and he believed he would advance to the top of the tree. He had asked Mr Coates to come and sec what was happening in the district. The Minister of Public Works had been kept busy and had been up till one o’clock every morning during the past fortnight. He hoped Mr Coates’ visit would be productive of good for the district. He thanked the people of Katikati for the reception accorded the Ministerial party and assured his auditors, that in the future as in the past he would always do his best to advance the interests of Katikati.—(applause). The Hon. J. G. Coates, on ris ing to respond, was accorded an ovation. He expressed his pleasure at once again being able to meet the people of Katikati. There was no better politician in New Zealand than Sir William Herries He dvelt on the great part taken by New Zealand in the war and paid a tribute to the thousands of New Zealanders who had made the supreme sacrifice. That day Anzac Day —was an indication of what New Zealand thought of the men who had fallen. He re ferred to the difficult times through which the country was passing, and said it required now, more than ever, a very decided determination to keep shoulder to shoulder and put our best efforts into the work ahead of us. A number of the returned men on the land were feeling the hard limes. Provided the man is a trier he has no need to worry, as the Government is there to help him, and no one could ask him to do impossibilities. The outlook for produce to day, except beef, was hopeful His trip through the dis trict had been very pleasant and it is useful to be able to see the country. The whole district seems to be improving. He noticed that since his last visit a lot of country had been ploughed and brought in. The area between Tauranga and Katikati is all right, but the settlers must be able to get fertilisers. As regards the railway, if he had £400,000 per year for the Main Trunk East Coast line they could tackle it, and £500,000 would complete the line from Katikati to Tauranga He wished to assist settlement and industry, and concluded by say ing; ‘'l hope when we get some of the other works out of hand to surprise you and put your line through. ” The Minister then resumed his seat amidst applause. The Chairman proposed the toast of Mr Poland. M. P , for Ohinemuri, which was heartily honoured. Mr Poland retimed f aiks for the manner in which the toast was honoured. He expressed his readiness toadvance the interests of the Katikati dis trict, and complimented the people on the reasonable requirements that they had placed before the Minister that day. The East Coast line was important. The people of Katikati had waited long and patiently for the line and were only right in ask- ; ing that it be expedited. This railway was not a Katikati railway, but was a Main Trunk rail way. The Minister had given a satisfactoryreply, but Sir William

Herries and the speaker have lo keep him up to the n“a r k Mr Baines’ request for a mail was reasonable, w* fl y Poland) had inspected a cl. • area of land that day i Q the?'! 1 kati district and Uier nothing better on the Plains He concluded by D S I mg a tribute lo the men who ft made the sacr (ice i„ Z >4 war. * a w The toast of the P ress proposed, and responded to K the representative of the BiyJ Plenty limes. J „r M , r |,?rh S prop3Sed health of the Chairman, Mr Tavl responding in appropriate tern* I he assemblage filedout of ft. building and the Minis,.. Public Works and his" 01 farewellod the people and {ll orW a , h,at2.4 sp m , iWhile j|| \\ ilham Heines returned to Tan ranga. au '