HON. J. G. COATES.

Press, Volume LIX, Issue 17922, 16 November 1923, Page 8

HON. J. G. COATES.

VISIT TO CLARENCE BRIDGE. The Hon. J. G. Coates, Minister of Public Works, accompanied by Mr W. J. Girling, M.P. for Wairau, Messrs It. W. McVilly (General Manager of Railways), H. Dickson (District Engineer Marlborough and Nelson), F. W. Furkert (Chief Engineer Public "Works Department), Jones (Chief Railway Engineer). E. Rackley (Manager Railways), and W. Grant (Commercial Agent, South Island), arrived at Clarence bridge at 1.30 p.m. on Wednesday. The Minister was met by Messrs G. W. Forbes, M.P., James Boyd (County Chairman), E. A. Wild (Chairman Awatero County Council), P. Curran, D. Boyd, G. Eaton, G. Smith, E. H. Workman, A. J. Murray, Masetield, E. Rutherford, J. Parker, J. Mfickle, It. E. Foster, J as. Davidson, It. Gibsou, T. Harle H. Mackle. J. Doyle, F. H. Flower t Alex Boyd, \Y. Richardson, R. Smythe, A. Wilson, I*. Cannon, E. Bill, Jenkins, T. Taylor and Alex. Thompson. After partaking of. lunch, Mr Girling inti-oduced the northern settlers to the Minister, stating that they were there seeking information regarding the rebuilding oi the Clarence bridge, being ot opinion that undue delay had been occasioned, and to urge that the work of reconstruction should be expedited. The settlers were greatly concerned regarding the marketing of their stock, and desired that more men bo put on the work to enable stock traffic to be resumed. The Kaikoura members of the deputation were there to point out the lack of tourist traffic and the hold-ing-up of stock for Addington. Mr Forbes said he recognised that the construction of a bridge of the magnitude of the Clarence needed considerable time, hence- it was necessary that something of a temporary nature shrould -be done to meet the present emergency, otherwise the loss to stockowners would be a serious matter. Kaikoura was going to be one of the main watering places in New Zealand, and was now looked upon as a tourist resort of considerable importance. The people of Kaikoura were greatly concerned regarding the resumption of through traffic, and were desirous that the traffic route between the provinces of Marlborough and Canterbury should be restored as early as possible. The stock transit question was also a great factor, as settlers had to get their surplus stock to market with as little delay as possible. . ' , m Mr Masefield, representing the Farmers' Union, Baid the settlers were mainly concerned about getting their stock across the Clarence, as no definite in-, formation was available with reference to the arrangements/fpr the present season; There was a. doubt in the minds of settlers as to^'n^ r jKP™" posed punts would -; prove satisfactory and thev considered- that something more definite should he arranged The Minister: My promise would not be worth anything. It was no use beating a dead horse. Arrangements had ■been made, and if. proposed punts did not work satisfactorily, then it could not be helped. He was doing his best to meet the emergency. Mr A J Murray said it was most important' that stock should get over th M? Crates: Surely you understand I realise that, and that my engineers are doing all they can? Mr Murray asked whether tne Department would consider, the matter of constructing a stock bridge from the utiDer groyne on the north side of the rirS llXsouth side. It would certainly' be awkward if stock arrived at the ?iver and could get across The Minister: Evidently the PUnte should not hare been built, Mr Furkert but that is your pigeon. *£ James Boyd said also concerned regarding the tourist Kaffir but if the settlers could not gefSock across, then it was a poor Kkout for the'tourists. The tourist traffic was of much instance to the said that many BuggesHoni had been considered, and it had & deeded to giWthe punts a trial. Mr T. Harle (Progress League) sad the stock began to more early, m J h anua?y and the settlers were ««*«. that the constructional the Conway Bridge should be expedited in + permit of stock being moved to south, era markets. . !.__„ n f Mr Coates eaid-tner© was no hope of the Conway Pridge being .Tannarv He asked how stock was S£ previous to the construction ° f M?Bo r yd S replied that the stock was taken by way of Greenhills, to i whicii the Minister retorted: Then why not send them that way now? ■ _ Mr Coates: It is evident, Mr Forbes* that the Department has been doing the wrong thing. . •■ . , Mr Forbes: "Not at all, sir. Ine Department has been doing good work." He asked if it would be possible to get cars across the Clarence before the construction of the main bridge. , Mr Coates: "Not until the sheep pontoons prove satisfactory," There had been no undue delay. The money had been provided and every assistance rendered by the Department. Tenders had been called for the construction of the bridge, but the only one received was considered too high. Therefore the Department would undertake the work itself. If carpentere were available in Kaikoura, they should be sent along. Mr Furkert said the Department was doing its best. He favoured the suggestion of a Btock bridge at the top groyne, but the construction of the punts would be gone on with. Mr Forbes said that from June 13th to November 13th 3237 passengers had been ferried across the river, 6886 sheep and 8700 super feet of timber. Mr Gitling eaid the settlers did not consider the Department had done wrong, but they desired an alternative measure. Now that the temporarystock bridge had been agreed upon they were thoroughly satisfied. Mr Furkert said it would take at least six months to complete the bridge work.

Hapnku Bridge. Mr Forbes referred to the Hapuku Bridge, claiming that the approaches would be a costiv undertaking. The Department was looking to tho Kaikoura County Council to find £ for £ up to £SOOO. , Mr Furkert: It is the other Way round. The Council expects £ for £ from the Government which had ferected the bridge. Mr Forbes said £I6OO was a considerable sum for the Council to find. He contended that it was too much to ask of a local body, especially when large sums of money had to be found tor other flood damage work Mr J. Boyd said £2OO had already been spent on approach work, and tho river was shittine ita course Traffic from north and south used the bridge, so that it could not be said it was merely a local affair. If the Department could not further assist them the Council would hav* to ask for a Commission to bo set ut>. Mr Furkert said it was certainly not a local bridge; that was the reason for the Department forwarding halt tb« money. Mr Boyd said the engineer's plans were good but it was the monny n *yj~ ed that the Council was up against Mr Coates: Is it as urgent as other work on the Coast? Mr Harle said the Bottlers had Buffered private damage and had to carry

a high rate.. Local traffic used th© bridge very little. Mr D Bovd said that if the bridge was not increased by»two spans valuable property -svould.be swept away. He maintained that it was only half a bridge, and if not lengthened protective works would have to be constructed, which might have the effect of endangering other property. Mr J. Mackle said the Hapuku River was doing exactly what tne Minister could seo the Clarence was doing. Protective work was being constructed on one side, and the water was washed across to the opposite side. Considerable damage had been done on the north side of the river. A protest had been madn by his father wheu the present bridge was being erected, and another span had been put, on His property "had already suffered from erosion. Mr Furkert said the laqt flood had evidenced that the Bridge was long enough. To add two more spans would mean an expenditure of £SOOO. Mr Forbes \ss\id Mr Mackle felt thai; protection ghould b© afforded his property. The Minister saia that enmuKies would be made regarding the bridge work and the question of erosion would also be considered. Mr Forbes then introduced the- question of the Conway bridge, stating that tho motor companies had done a great deal of work, which Mr Furkert stated was very creditabte. Mr Coates said men would be available to see that the ford was kept open and a suitable outlet for cars provided. Air Langboin would be instructed to see that this was done. At Parnassus he had agreed with Mr Boyd to make suitable arrangements for hauling cars across the river. Mr Boyd: Yes, you have attended to that. River Board. Mr Forbes then raised the question oi river protection work. The River Board understood that £ for £ would ba found by the Government, and now there was an impression that the River Board had to find £2 for £1 up ,to £4500. Mr Coates said the Department had agreed to find £ for £ up to £ISOO. Mr Alex. Boyd said the Board had been in existence for 47 years, and this was tho first occasion on which the Government had been called upon to assist. The Public Works engineer considered £SOOO was necessary to do the work properly. If the Department was agreeable to pay £ for £ up to £ISOO for the present, it would suit the Board better. Land was worth £IOO an acre, and the Board did not desire to se© such valuable lan 3 washed away. Mr Mackle said Mx Langbein considered 75 chains of crating was required, costing £4500. Mr Coates said the Board had done very good work in the past. He fully realised that an enquiry should be made into the matter. PuM PuM Road. Mr Forbes said that Mr Wilson had given land for a road,; but a difficulty had arisen regarding fencing, a double line of rabbit netting being required. Mr Wilson said he had given the land for £22, and it would j cost £SO to fence it. He asked that the feno. irig be done out of the loan money, and considered he was being unjustly treated. Mr Coates said Mr Furkert would go into the matter. Mr E. H. Markman referred to the grant of £IOO for a road to Mr J. Boyd's property at Kahautara, which had been taken off the Estimates. Mr Boyd had resided on the property over 20 years, and asked that the grant b-3 reinstated. .' The Minister said a report would be obtained regarding the matter. \ ' ~ : East Coast .; Mr Forbe3 referred to the East Coasts Main Trunk line, whioh had received the support of Parliament ten years ago, but owing to financial difficulties had been deterred. 3e'asked that some definite pronouncement be made. It was a.national work, and a grant of £15,000 was ridiculous for such an important undertaking. The question was one that should not be lost sight of. „, Mr J. Davidson said the question'of railway extension was not a parochial one—it was; a question of national importance. The Main Trunk line should be pushed forward. Definite promises had been given in the past, by Sir William Hall-Jones, Mr Seddon, Sir Joseph Ward, and Mr Massey. The work had been delayed pending the completion of the North Island Main TxiinK and the Otira tunnel, and he now asked that the question be kept in view and ihat a reasonable amount ba placed on the Estimates to resume ■work oh the lina,. Mr Hdrle supported Mr Davidson's views.

The Minister said that information should be provided so that it could be gjsen that the expenditure was justified. The Department did not want to construct lines for the fan of the thing. The work must be justified. No doubt the question of stock transference was their strong point. Population, industry development, etc., -were necessary essentials. Mr Forbes said He recognised that it was a national question and must be decided by the people as a whole. He thanked Mr Ooates for his patient hearing and for the courtesy extended to the deputation. The large number of settlers present was an indication that the matters referred to were serious to them. The Minister thanked Mr Girling and those who had bronghfcthem to the Clarence and also the settlers for their hospitality. Mr Parker asked that protection be provided on the south side of the river as a considerable portion of his property had been washed away. He desired to know when the protection works were to be started. Mr Furkert said that the Lands Department had asked the Public Works Department to report on the matter, which had been done. (PSBSS ASSOCIVnOM TBLWIEiiC.) BLENHEIM, November 15. At Ward, the Hon. J. G. Coates informed a big deputation that if suffi; cieht data to justify an earnest prosecution of the main trunk line was placed before him, the work would be gone on with, but he made it plain that on the present information in the hands of the Department the prosecution of the work would not be justified at present, but there was no question that eventually the line would be completed. The only question was to get the various works in their proper order of urgency. The Minister visited other parts of the district this morning and left by the Wainui for Wellington this afternoon.