PLAN OF WORKS

Grey River Argus, 18 November 1946, Page 7

PLAN OF WORKS

FOR WEST COAST MR. O’BRIEN S OUTLINE Comprehensive Proposals A suggested plan of works for Westland was released by Hon. J. O’Brien, Minister of Transport, Marine, and Mines and Labour, in the course of a political address at Blaketown on Saturday night. The development of the West Coast, or of New Zealand for that matter, was not to be left to the blind forces of unplanned, selfish interests, he said. There had been a* good deal of talk because a ten-year development plan for the West Coast had not yet been put forward, and several unworthy aspersions were cast on Mr Semple. It was insinuated that he was holding back the plan until after the elections, because it would be allegedly unsatisfactory. He (Mr O’Brien' was not acquainted with the details of the Ten Year Flan, but he knew some of the items that would be included in it. He had represented Westland for well over twenty 7 years, and knew the major works that should be undertaken for its scientific development probably better than anyone else. Therefore, he would recommend to the Hon. R. Semple the following works which, if not already included in his proposals, should be taken into consideration. He would leave the recommendations for the Buller in the capable hands of Hon. C. F. Skinner, but, as Minister of Mines and Marine, he would advise on matters' affecting those Departments in Buller. It was possible some important works might be left out of these recommendations, but, if so, they could be included later. The proposed recommendations are as follows: —

(1) LAND DEVELOPMENT In New Zealand generally, one of the most important things was the clearing and draining of farm lands by mechanical means, so that the people could get to the soil and work it. River control and prevention of soil erosion formed also a major work on the West Coast, and could only be carried out by mechanical means. There were vast areas of land continuing to be washed away between Greymouth and the Cascade, witli thirty major streams eroding every day.

(2). REAFFORESTATION The reafforesting of cut-over land, and the planting of terrace country and of dredge tailings with suitable frees. (3) INDUSTRY Further prospecting of coal measures in Buller and Westland. Development of proven coal steams and the opening up of new coal mines in Buller and in Westland. Further development of the existing coal mines. Plans for the processing of coals in Westland and Buller. The mechanisation of coal mines. Up-to-date housing scheme for coal miners and for timber workers. Investigation into the co-operative working of sawmills by timber’ workers. They had to have a housing system for the miner and timber worker if they were going to get men to work in the mines and mills, and the houses would be up to city standard. Already there was a levy of 6d per 100 ft on timber for a housing plan. (4) COMMERCIAL The development of secondary industries in coastal towns. In the past there had been no work for young people growing up, and they had had to go to the cities. It was hoped that they would find all their people work in their own provinces. (5) BUILDINGS Hokitika: New Post Office (immediately). New primary school. Extensions to Mental Hospital New police station. Improvements' to Government buildings. New aerodrome and buildings. Hospital extensions. Greymouth: Post Office additions and improvements. New police station (immediately). New. Government centre. New Public Works workshops. Hospital improvements and extensions. New classroom at Greymouth Technical School. New broadcasting buildings and transmitter. Extensions to various school buildings. , Kumara: New Post Office and living quarters for Postmaster. Otira: New Post Office and staff residence.

The erection of State houses throughout the district to meet needs of the people.

(6) STATE HIGHWAYS

Many highways works had been held over during the war, and the works now suggested were:— Stillwater to Dobson reconstruction. Teremakau road traffic bridge and deviation.

Hokitika-Waitaha reconstruction. Waitaha-Waiho reconstruction and re-grgding, with the elimination of the road over Mt. Hercules, and the providing of a flat road to cut out the wretched ride over the mountain. Main Highways: Westport-Grey-mouth coast road re-grading and widening. Kumara-Mitchells' improvements (but not to interfere with.the beauty of this road). Ngahere-Black-ball re-grading and improvements. Ngahere-Haupiri Junction improvements. Lake Kanieri main 'highway repairs and reconstruction. Upper Kokatahi improvements. Stafford Loop repairs and reconstruction. Numerous renewals of main highway bridges. Roads: Paringa-Haast Pass construction and Arawata-Hollyford highway construction (both stopped because of war). Lake KanieriKokatahi route via Dorothy Falls and Styx investigation; also Karan-garua-Welcome Flat and Waiho Beach Road investigations; and Jackson'BayHaast reconstruction, and improvements. Crooked River bridge at Te Kinga, and extension of road to Rotomanu. Government road bridges construction and renewals. (7) RAILWAYS Ross-Wataroa railway extension, resurvey and construction. Christchurch-Hokitika line: Grade

easements and station yard rearrangements. Franz Joseph Glacier aerial tramway investigation. (8) AIRWAYS Hokitika: New aerodrome. Greymouth: Extensions to aerodrome. Waiho: Extensions to aerodrome. Haast, Wataroa and Okuru: Aerodrome improvements. (9) HARBOURS Greymouth and Westport harbour improvements. Work to be put in hand on these harbours as soon as the British engineers' reports come to hand. Bruce Bay: Major harbour improvements'. These would be ' costly, but it is the centre of a large timber district with the greatest stand of white pine, stretching from the Blue River to Cook River, with 30 to 40 million super feet available in that given area. Okarito harbour: Investigation with the object of making this a suitable port for light draft timber vessels. There is a thousand million feet of timber near Okarito harbour to be got out, but it is uneconomical to get it out unless l a harbour is put in. (10) UTILITIES Water supply to Blackball and Grey Valley, and on to Greymouth if required. Hydro-electric distribution. One power board for Grey and Westland. In addition to the above, the Public Works Department to confer with tb» local bodies so that major works would coincide with the Public Works Department programme and each take its correct order of precdence. The following had been submitted bv local bodies: —

Westland and Grey County: Road improvements and bridge renewals. Greymouth Harbour Board: Harbour improvements. Greymouth Borough Council: Street improvements, water supply, seiverage, stormwater drainage, civic centre and recreational facilities. Hokitika Borough: Street improvements, water supply renewals, stormwater drainage.

A list of minor works- had also been received from several of other small boroughs, Kumara, Brunner, and Runanga. There was to, be a comprehensive olan for betterment and development of Westland, and the above comprised some of his suggestions to be incorporated in the ten year plan. He would make the strongest representations' that the works referred to be carried out, said Mr O’Brien. “Mr Semple has not run away. He is a very busy man, but he will be here later to tell you his plan, and I feel sure that the local bodies will also be pleased about it”, concluded Mr O’Brien.