MINISTER’S VISIT

Greymouth Evening Star, 14 March 1922, Page 7

MINISTER’S VISIT

SPEECHES AT HOKITIKA.

(Special to the Star.) HOKITIKA, Mqrch 15. The Hon. J. G. Coates (Minister of Public Works) and party arrived in Hokitika from Kumara about 4 o’clock on Saturday, and were met 011 arriv-u by members of the County Council. In the evening, he received deputations at the Westland County Chambers. Mr. B. Ward (County Chairman) occupied the, chair, and on behalf of the people of Westland welcomed the Alinister. He was pleased the Minister was travelling the whole length of the district, 200 miles, the longest county in New Zealand. He thanked the Minister for the energy put into the Otira tunnel. Through this tunnel it is hoped that a new era of prosperity will come- to the Coast. He also thanked the .Minister for having put in hand the construction of bridges over rivers in South Westland. , lie regretted the visit was so short. At Ross, the Council wished the Minister to divert to the line constructed by Stuart and Chapman. It- was desired

that the Railway Department snould , allow its rolling stock on this line so ’ as to convenience the people of South ‘ Westland. It was important that the bridges be strengthened on the main roads between Kumara and Hokitika, and from Hokitika to Ross. Un die latter section the load has been restricted to three tons. Mr. A\ aid also lelerred to the Bruce Say Landing. .Mr. Ritchie said that- he was pleased to know that the Minister was msiting South Westland, where he would see the requirements himself, and the importance of a landing at Bruce Bav. Mr. Jeffries called the Ministers attention to the long line of sea coast without any suitable landing for vessels. He saw no other port in the

south so suitable as that of Bruce 1 Bav. He commended the Minister’s r attention to this matter. .Mr. Chinn endorsed what had been said, and mentioned some of the hardships he himself had suffered through the want of a landing. .Air. Ritchie spoke in support of the Bruce Bay inland road. .Mr. Chinn and .the Hon. 11. L. Michel spoke in support of Ihe Railwav Department allowing their roiling stock over Stuart and Chapman Lid’s line- front Ross to A\ aitaha. M.r Chesterman asked the Minister to have the Dorothy Falls track constructed. The Chairman asked that a number of creek crossings on the ( hristchiiii h Road have culverts constructed for them. The Alinister said that he considered the last matter of not much importance, and it would have to remain over for another year or so. .Air. .Morel asked that the road near

Lower Kokatahi be widened; jilso Kumara .Junction to Kapitea- Road, and asked that it. be pushed on as expeditiously as possible. Cr. Chesterman asked that the Lake Ranieri Road receive consideration froni the .Department. 'The*' Chairman supported, and outlined the assistance' given by lorry owners and sawmillers. Cr. Ritchie asked for the road de\iatii>n at Slippery Face, where the place was very dangerous. Cr. Chinn asked that the sum of £5OO be ieinstated on the Estimates for the construction of Petersen llo.iu. He referred to the ratepayers having agreed to be rated for the workCr. Wells requested that the Government give assistance for the upkeep of Adair's Road. The Minister was requested to reinstate the cancelled votes lor La Fontaine Road, McArthur Road, Neilson Road and W all Road. The Chairman asked for a .substantial grant for the widening and improving of Ranieri Lake Road. Before the Alinister replied, the Chairman called on Mr. M. J. Butler, who, on behalf of the Chamber of Commerce, welcomed the Alinister. Cr. Jeffries, on behalf of the Progress League, also welcome Air. Coates. Cr. Jeffries stressed the urgency of bridging the Wailio Rivet, and instanced the difficulties settlers have to contend with in crossing the river with stock. The lion. J. Grinimond said that the river was dangerous not only in wet wather, but- also in fine weathei, owing to the floating blocks of ice front the AVailto Glacier. Air. Coates thanked the Chairman for the hearty welcome extended to him. He was regretting Air. Seddon’s absence, but perhaps Air. Seddon was happier in not being present. Jle jej'erred to the difficulties of the farmers, who were the backbone of the country, notwithstanding the good old goldminers- 1 here were two places in New Zealand which called for expenditure. In opening up North Auckland and AYestland the expenditure of public money should be eliminated from political influence. If the man on the land had, no access he had a big load to carry. He must get access if he is'to have a, lighting chance. Ihe small bridges between Kumara and Otira were put forward as an important matter. lie came over the load, but it was not bad and more important works have to be provided for. Ho agreed that lourist traffic should be encouraged, but charity should begin at home. The tourist is here to-day and away to-morrow, but the settler is with us always and must be encouraged. He had made the trip from Collingwood along the coast to see those settlers far away from the towns. Th© party came through safely and hoped to reach South Westland safely also. He hoped to get the Otira tunnel out of hand before the end of the year. (Applause). Ihe contractors have been delayed owing to a strike in England. This tunnel was the most important work in the Dominion. It will require to carry enormous traffic to pay interest on the outlay. He was going south and would see the requirements down there. The Waitangi bridge would be bulit next, then the Waiho. After going back he could discuss the matters with the engineers. Respecting the restriction on th© roads, he recognised that not sufficient care was taken in the use of roads. Pace and weight should bo regulated, and the Department must take action if due care is not t ken. He would discuss the matters on the agenda paper with Air. Gillies, who was acquainted with them. He concluded by saying that the Government was anxious to work in. with ..nd assist the local bodies. Their functions were somewhat similar, and the local authorites would be given more responsibility titan in the past. The Chairman moved a vote of thanks to the Alinister for his patient hearing, and said that Air. Coates was •a real live Alinister, and that his 'help for AYestland would be limited by the amount of money ho had at his disposal. The Alinister and party, were afterwards entertained by the County Council a-j; Alclntosh’s Club Rooms. AT AIOANA AND BRUNNER/ During his visit to Moana the Minister of’Public Works (the Hon. J. G, Coates)

received deputations both from the Grey , County Council (which was represented by the Chairman, Mr J. AV. Hannan), and from settlers of the district. ' Mr Hannan urged the completion of the Kokiri-Moana road as soon as possible. It was pointed out by the County Engineer (Air J. Higgins) that the work, for which of the grant of £450 named in the Estimates, would cost about £4,800 to complete. The Minister suggested that the grant of £2OOO on the Arnold Valley Road be diverted to the Kokiri-Moana roacf? There was already £1057 in hand for the work. Other representations the Minister dealt with as follows :— Paynes Gully Road. —Application for £lloo.—Held over. Ahaura-Haupiri Road Bridge.—The deputation was informed that ££oo was already on the Estimates. The same applied to the Hatters-Haupiri Road. Nelson Creek-Bell Hill Road.—Application for work to be put in hand. The Minister promised to authorise the expenditure of the amount named in the Estimates for the work. Alain South Road. —Application for an extra grant of £lOOO. The Minister promised to look into the matter. Mr Coates also received a deputation consisting of .Messrs Andrews, Simperson and Morrel, who asked for the expenditure of the grant of £450 named in the Etsimates for the Teremakau Settlement. The Minister said he could make no promise, but would give the request every consideration. The Alinister later visited Brunner, where, accompanied by Air 11. E. Holland, ALP., and Air F. AVilliams (Mayor of Brunner) he inspected the temporary post office and was shown over a portion of the main road, for the upkeep of four miles of which the borough is responsible.