RECEPTION TO MINISTERS

Greymouth Evening Star, 14 December 1942, Page 2

RECEPTION TO MINISTERS

FUNCTION AT HOKITIKA

[OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.]

HOKITIKA, December 14. A reception to Messrs O’Brien and Semple was tendered by the Westland County Council in the Soldiers’ Hall, Hokitika, on Saturday evening, the County Chairman, Mr T. P. O’Neil, being chairman. The toastlist was as follows:—“The King”; “Mr Semple,” proposed by the Chairman, supported by Crs. J. Donovan, W. A. Jamieson, P. J. McLean, G. Rowley, W Searle, R. Bond, R. Bradley, and N. Harris, who eulogised the work of Mr Semple while holding the portfolio of Public Works. Previously they , congratulated Mr O’Brien on his appointment to Cabinet. Mr D. J. Evans (County Clerk) explained the reason for the reception, and expressed the hope that the Otago-Westland highway would be completed. Mr G. H. Chapman mentioned the work done by Mr Semple in the provision of landing grounds for a very air-minded public. Mr B. Ward (councillor) praised the bridgebuilding programme of Mr Semple in the past. He regarded Mr O’Brien as one of the greatest friends Westland had ever had. Mr Mark Wallace (chairman Farmers’ Union) dealt with the benefits derived by the farming community, particularly with regard to rationalisation and control oi farm produce. Mi- J. A. Murdoch (ex-councillor and Chairman of the Grey Harbour Board) thought New Zealand as a whole benefited as much as Westland from Mr Semple’s work. He hoped Mr O'Brien would spend a good portion of his time with his portfolio ol Minister of' Marine. Mr M. H. Houston (Chairman of the Hokitika Harbour Board) and Mr A. R .Elcock (Mayor of Hokitika) expressed the best wishes of the community they represented Mr O’Neil presented Mr Semple with what he called a grandmother clock, and Mrs Semple with a handbag. >■ Replying, Mr Semple said the support and encouragement of the late Prime Minister (Mr Savage) and his colleagues made the success of his work possible. He eulogised the work of Mr O’Brien, and said they hoped to do something that would prove a monument for the future. When the boys came back from overseas they would have to have a fitting reward. A new order would,- have to be built with action and deeds, not lip service. He had a programme that would stagger the nation. The war had exploded the fallacy of moneypower; it was the production of goods and service? that counted. A toast was proposed by the Chairman to Mr and Mrs O’Brien, and the following speakers added their appreciation: —Crs. J. Donovan, W. A. Jamieson, G. Rowley, Messrs M. H. Houston, D. J. Evans, J. A. Murdoch, G. H. Chapman, B. Ward, M. Wallace and T. W. Duff. A presentation of a chiming clock to Mr O’Brien and a ifijv'er tea service to Mrs O’Brien was made, and Mr O’Brien made a brief reply. A deputation waited on the Ministers on Sunday morning, consisting of Messrs J. Taylor and A. C. Armstrong (Businessmen’s Asociation), when the matter of a railcar service to and from Ross and the speeding up of the Christchurch-Hokitika and vice-versa express and rail-cars was discussed, and promised favourable consideration.