MINISTER’S VISIT

Greymouth Evening Star, 11 March 1922, Page 2

MINISTER’S VISIT

SERIES OF DEPUTATIONS

TOWN ANO COUNTRY MATTERS

After a picturesque journey along the rugged coast, the Minister of Public Works (Hon. J. G. Coates) and Tris party arrived from Westport late last evening. Delays in the early stages made the journey more protracted than was expected, and the party was some hours overdue. Among those who accompanied the Minister were Air F. W. Furkett (engineer-in-chief) and Mr H. E. Holland, M.P. The Minister and party attended the Borough Council Chambers at 8.30 p.m., where the Mayor (Mr J. D. Lynch) presided over about thirty delegates and others, including Mr H. E. Holland, M.P. Mr Lynch briefly introduced the Minister, and extended him a cordial welcome to Greymouth. He apologised for the ab sence of Mr T. E. Y. Seddon, M.P., who, he believed, was away buying furniture or something of that kind. (Laughter). Mr Coates returned thanks for the welcome and said it was a pleasure to visit the Coast again. He was sorry Mr Seddoi) was absent, but he would do’ his best to push along matters regarding which Air Seddon had repeatedly made rejnesentations. He took it that a. lot of talk was not wanted, but something done. He could not make any definite promises. He wished Mr Seddon all sorts of luck “in the selection of liis furniture.” (Laughter and applause). Proposed Power Board. —Cr H. F. Doogan, on behalf of the Grey.nouth Borough Council, referred the proposed Electric Power Boarfl lor the Grey district, and asked the .Minister to expedite the formation of the Board. The Minister of Mines had agreed to hold over the Kumara water race in the meantime. Mr Coates promised to do his best to help the Council. Providing the Act was complied with there should be no difficulty. He had been advised that Kumara was a favourable source of energy, if the transmission- was not too far. However, experts could investigate the position generally. Blaketown Telephone.-—Cr W. C. Colclough, on behalf of the Blaketown ratepayers, asked that a slot telephone be installed at Blaketown. It was aboslutely necessary. Mr Coates stated that the two slot telephones in Greymouth were a dead loss to the Department, and he was seriously considering their removal. Personally he did not think a "phone would pay at Blaketown. The Deuartment must have revenue. If the Blaketown people would guarantee the cost of upkeep for a. slot ’phone, he would see what could be done. Cr Colclough said lie would place the position before the ratepayers. Police Buildings: 'The Mayor referred to the dilapidated condition of the Greymouth Police Station. A good deal of revenue came from that source. (Laughter.) The buildings were in a very insanitary condition and were an eyesore. About £209 or £3OO-would be required. Mr Coates said he would place the request before the Minister of Justice. Tf the Minister was agreeable he would have a report made on the question. Tainui Street Crossing: Cr W. 11. Parfitt recounted the dangers of the Tainui Street railway, crossing. It was asked tiiat a man be placed at the crossing when trains were expected -about five times per day. The expense would not be great, and might save life. “An ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure, he concluded. Mr Coates said he would place the matter before the Minister of Railways and ask him to reply through the member for the district. Water Supply Scheme: Cr J. O'Brien placed the Ten-Mile water supply proposal before Air Coates. The scheme appeared to be the most promising to supply the Grey district with water. The financial position of the Borough Council did not warrant any great expenditure. They asked the Department to carry out a survey and supply an estimate regarding the scheme. Mr A. V. Billett, on behalf of the Cobden Town Board, endorsed Cr O’Brien’s remarks. Mr H. E. Holland also spoke on behalf of the Runanga Borough Council. Air Coates said he did not quite see how he came into the matter. It seemed odd that “a great, wealthy borough like Greymouth” (laughter), together with Cobden and Runanga, could not make investigations, which would cost probably about £l5O. He did not see why “Mother Government” should be asked to make a. survey. He knew that Cobden was tin difficulties financially, but thought that would be overcome in time. Had they not an engineer in Greymouth? Why' could the Borough Engineer not make the survey? Crs Doogan and O’Brien pointed out that the Engineer was fully occupied with other work. Air Coates, continuing, said that he had to be very canny on the West Coast. (Laughter). A survey would take time, and the Department’s engineers were very busy. The Government had to economise. However, he did not intend to turn the matter down at a moment’s notice. Personally ,hc considered the survey should be done by the local bodies concerned. Perhaps they could apportion the cost in some way. He would consider the request. | Cr Colclough: Give us the freehold and we can do much better!

Native Reserves: Mr F,». A. Kitchingham, on behalf of the Greymouth Chamber of Commerce, introduced the Native Reserves question. They were asking for something in accordance with the avowed policy of the party of which Mr Coates was a member, viz., the freehold. He lengthily explained the position of the Native Re-

Mr Furkert: It is a temporary job; the power-house will be finished in a month or less. Mr Gibbens : You will be lucky to finish the power-house in 12 months Mr Coates: If we cannot get it done in less time than that we will withdraw every man from the job. You fellows will have to help us to get it through quicker than 12 months. Mr Coates : Have you been to Mr Gillies with this complaint? M r Gibbens ; No; but we have been to Mr Watkinson (engineer at Otira). Mr Coates: You should follow the agreement and consult Mr Gillies before coming to’ me. Have you had a reply from Mr Watkinson regarding the matters placed before him? Mr Gibbens said that a reply had not been received. Mr Coates: Then why do you come to me? Mr Gibbens: I have been deputed by the union. ~ Mr. Coates: You are not carrying out the spirit of the agreement by owning to me before the engineers have replied. The matters have been placed before the engineer at the tunnel. Mr. Watkinson stated that he had nothing in writing. Mr. Coates: lam talking in the interests of the Union. I don’t wish to do anything to undermine the agree-

serves in Greymouth. The Chamber of Commerce desired the Bill put through as early as possible in the coming session. Air Coates stated that, he did not feel incined to go on with the Bill last session in the absence of a Alaori member. He would now ascertain the views of the new member. Personally, he tried always to watch the interests of the Natives. There were very few Alaoris in New Zealand, and they should be treated fairly and squarely. (Hear, hear.) He would take an early opportunity of going into the matter before the session. He had not yet read the Bill. He recognised that the position was not satisfactory so far as Greymouth was concerned, but he had to be satisfied that the deal was a good one for the Alaoris. Brunner Requirements: The Alayor of Brunner (Mr F. Williams) and Town Clerk (Mr P. Creagh) stressed the urgent need for a new post office at Brunner to replace that burned down some two years ago. 'The Department had purchased a site at Wallsend, but nothing further had been done. '1 he postal and telephone business wax at present carried on in a private house, which was very unsatisfactory. Air Coates stated that if possible he would view the site and present post office to-day. As a matter of general policy, however, he was not erecting post offices, and a very good case would have to be made out in support of the request. The same delegates from the Brunner Borough Council also asked for assistance towards the maintenance of 4) miles of the main Grey A’alley Road within the Borough. 'The Brunner Council was not in a financial position enabling tlieni to keep the road in proper order. '1 here was a great deal of outside traffic using it. The Alinister promised to get his officers to prepare a report on the matter. Railway AVorkers: Messrs Knight (president). Hopkins (secretary) and West (executive member), representing the union members engaged on railway extension work at the Seven Alile, referred to the recent wage reductions, which they alleged wore contrary to the spirit of the agreement entered into by the New Zealand AVorkers’ Union and the Department. 'I he union desired a readjustment all rates to suit local conditions. Air Coates said that the co-operative rates w";<? based on 15/- per day, but there was nothing to prevent any man earning 40/- per day if he did enough work. The reduction was one-fifteenth of the original rate. Air West stated that one fifteenth equalled 6 2-3 per cent, but actually the reductions ranged to 13 per cent. He received £9 8/- for a fortnight, and that was a 10 per cent. drop, lie had a wile and fixe children to support, and the fortnight’s grocery bill alone was £7 5/-. The West Coast workers were up against a very high cost of living. The workers at the Seven Aide were skilled men, and they asked that the rate be increased to 16/per day. Air Coates promised to discuss the matter with the engineers concerned, and let the- union know later. He could assure them it was not pleasant for him to reduce the rate of pay to Public Works employees, but reductions had to be made. He wanted them to understand he was anxious to have satisfied employees; he wanted good men, and so far as possible he would provide many conveniences not usually given. A few' years ago men and their families had to live in tents; now huts were provided. Travelling time also was granted, and he intended to extend the canteen system. Just now', however, it was a- question of being able to keep as manv men as possible employed. He would go into the matter very carefully. OtiraTunnel. —Air Al. L. Gibbens, president of the Otira branch of the New' Zealand Workers’ Union, placed before the Alinister a number of complaints by the tunnel workers. He alleged that the provision of the agreement specifying that huts were to be provided was not being adhered to. One man, a carpenter at the power-house ,a married man with four children, was living in two 6xB and one 8 x lOtents. The agreement said that a hut must be provided. Air Coates: Tents may bo used on a temporary job.

ment. Nino' l times out of ten these complaints could be settled on the ground. Mr. Gibbens said the matter was brought to the notice of the engineer by a stop-work meeting.

Air. Coates : You had no right to hold a stop-work meeting. Air. Gibbens: Well, we will get on to my next • point. Mr. Coates: Hold on, lam not sure that we will. What is your name?

Air. Gibbens: Alaurice Livingstone Gibbens. I am president of the Otira branch of the New Zealand AVorkers Union.

Ho then proceeded with the “nextj point,” which alleged that the agree-’ ment was not being observed in regard io the payment of travelling time. Tho Union asked thaF it be paid in every case. Air. AVatkinsou in reply to a complaint had stated that he- had been instructed to economise. One man had to walk miles twice a day, but was not receiving travelling payment. Air. Coales replied that the spirit of the agreement must be carried out. It was not possible in every case to adhere to the exact letter of the agreement (for instance, in temporary work), but a fair thing would bo done. Air. Gibbens then complained that some wage reductions at the tunnel were not in accordance with the agreement. 'Three boys receiving 10s per day had 8d per day taken away. Air. Coates: You must stand the cut all round.

Air. Gibbens: It should not apply to boys. AVo hope you will do what is possible to improve the position. He also stated that one man at tho tunnel had not received compensation due ’ for an accident, and asked Air. Coates to investigate. Better huts were also required. .About 23 men were living at one place without a water supply, and pipes and a tap were desired. The annual leave of .14 days was another complaint, only 12 days of this being paid for. Some carpenters were not receiving •eality” pay. Air. Furkert pointed out that 12 working days represented a fortnight. Air. Gillies: Aery few of these complaints are referred to the local engineer. Air. Coates, replying, said : Now fit’s find out where we are. You should have received a reply from Air. AVatkinson before coming to me. Air. Gillies will also have to make recommendations. He will be given particulars and asked to make un inquiry into the complaints. I intend to visit Otira after returning to Canterbury. If von are going to take 12 months to build the power-house that is not very encouraging. Air. Gibbens: I don’t think the tunnel will be working inside 12 months. AVhcre is the machinery ! Air. Coates: Never you mind where it is. I don’t mind telling you on tho (piiet about it. A good deal rests with the men as to when the tunnel will be completed. The Greymouth Chamber of Commerce, represented by Air. J. Steer, asked the Alinister to expedite the construction and endeavour to open tho tunnel on October 1. Air. Coates pointed out that the nearest date .fie had menlioned so far was ihe end ot the year. A good deal of the machinery was on the water. The

contractors were all ready to instill it. Certain preliminary work had to bo tone, but that' would not take very long. He was not going to- give any dale foi the opening of the tunnel, as people might bo disappointed. He ..nt not anticipate any difficulties, but they might occur. 'the job would be iinished qs soon as possible. Tho contractors were anxious to show what tiiey could do. That was the spirit that was wanted at the tunnel. So far as he personally waq concerned there viuuld be no delay. Mr. D. Tcnnent, on belialT of tho Juamber of Commerce, askeu for the .arly completion of the bridges on the I'unakaiki Road; also the work on ilie Alcana Read and Kumara-Awatuna road. Air. Coates said that the bridges were under consideration. His tour was to id out which works were most urgent. Air. Holland, on behalf of the deputations thanked Air. Coates for tho manner in which he had received them. He hoped that the visit would benefit the districts concerned. In reply, Air. Coates gave an outline of his trip, which had been fairly strenuous. That night was an early sitting (10.50 _p.m.) The tour had been interesting and the party had met with great hospitality. If possible, he would render assistance in the various matters placed before him. rfc thanked Air. Holland for his assistance during the trip, and humorously hoped that he would assist the Government with a lot more useful work. (Laughter.) A number of private deputations were then received by the Minister. This morning the paidy left for Aloana where deputations were heard before proceeding to Hokitika. . AROUND BARRYTOWN.

No Minister of the Crown has travelled by the coastal route until Mr. Coates made the journey yesterday, lie and his party left Westport at 8 o’clock and came through Charleston by motor. The first deputation was from the residents of Tiromoana supporting the claim later made by the Barrytown deputation for the completion of the five miles of unfinished road between Barrytown and Charleston. This part is a track through beautiful bush scenery, and the Minister and his party after taking refreshments at Brighton, travelled through it to Punakaiki on horseback. They were met by a party of settlers and County councillors headed by Mr. J. Ryall, who accompanied them to Punakaiki. The blow-hole was inspetced, but was unfortunately not very active. Barrytown was not reached until after 4 o’clock, and the cheerful banquet hall with its beautiful decorations in which nikau palms were prominent, was a welcome sight. Mr. J. Ryall presided over the function. Mr. Ryall congratulated Mr. Coates on being the first Minister to come from Westport by the coastal road. The journey would give the Minister a unique opportunity of seeing the agricultural and tourist potentialities of the district and the road would

certainly open up a large area of Crown lands. He would like to thank Air.

Coates for the fair manner in which the settlers had been met in connection with the Ten Alile Bluff road.

Air. Coates acknowledging the welcome accorded him, said that he was pleased at the spirit that had actuated the hospitality of the residents. After’ such an extremely pleasant meal one felt inclined to promise anythin g, but sometimes it would not be possible to carry it out. He wished more time had been available so that the party could have inspected the country that lay to the back of the district they had just travelled through. Ho was very much inlerested in tho possibilities or otherwise of settlement between Barryiown and Brighton. In few places had he seen anything like the bush scenery he had just been admiring—ho certainly could not think ofYiny stretch of road elsewhere that ran entirely along wild coast. Tourist traffic, however, did not interest him at all. He wanted to be frank about that. Every pound spent on tourist routes meant less money for settlement, and there was no better way of assisting io open up the country than by helping the settlers to get out to markets. He would ask Air. FurketYo send an Engineer to inspect the inner country and furnish a full, official report on its capabilities. His object in making the journey was for the express purpose of “seeing for himself.” After he had inspected the various districts which were requiring assistance ho would consult with Messrs Furket and Gillies.

He, thanked the ladies very hoai'flly for the good ‘spread’ they had prepar- '. and apologised for the delay which left him no time for a real speech—lie could only have a “talk.” He hoped that his next visit would find him still Alinister of Public AVorks, and tho load well under way.

After the toast of ''The King,” “.Parliament,” and “Local Bodies,” had been honoured, the Alinister received deputations from the Barrytown Farmers’ Union. ' Representations were made for the completion of the live miles needed to give a full road from Greymouth to AA'.estport, the building of a road along Buller Creek and the improvement of AA’aikori and Ryall roads both of which would give access to settlers and open up agricultural and grazing Itiild. The Alinister said he would obtain a report on all these matters. The union also advocated the erection of a suitable traffic bridge ov<?r the Punakaiki river to help both tourist traffic and settlement on the north bank of the river.

The Alinister suggested that it would be better to wait if they could maaiage with tho creek as it was meanwhile, in order that the money could be diverted to the improvement of the road.

In view of the increased popularity of the blow-hole the union asked tho Alinister to have provision made for the erection of a road made through the half a mile of bush behind which the blow-hole was now hidden. They also urged the Tourist Department to Like a. series of views of the scenic wonders of the district in, order to popularise that valuable tourist resort and also to appoint a carelaker for the caves which were being wantonly destroyed. Air. Il’omley, a

resident of the district, had offered to carry out these duties honorarily if he received an official appointment. The Alinister said lit 1 would certainly’bring these matters under the notice of the Alinister in charge of the Tourist. Department. The improvement <>f the Tcn-AIHe Creek bridge and tho completion of the road over Ten Alile Bluff was also urged,, and the Alinister promised io report on these later. He also promised to make a later announcement in regard to the ercctiby, of bridges over Canoe, lagans -and Baker’s creeks.

The deputation urged the extension of th c telephone line from Barrytown to Tiroriioana, and tho institution of a. twice-weekly mail service between Barry town and Greymouth. Thc Alinis’er said he would give these requests every consideration.