TEN YEAR PLAN

Grey River Argus, 20 March 1947, Page 6

TEN YEAR PLAN

WESTLAND AND BULLER EXPLAINED BY HOU L SEMPLE ment a# complete the coverage of New Zealand whichi had een in er runted by the election campaign. This was shown by the presentative gathering yesterday morning at the Greymouth Town Hall to hear the Hon. Minister of Works, Mr Semple explain the Government’s proposals affecting th e c-evelopmeni of the Westland and Buller Regions for the next ten years. Mr Semple was accompanied by several senior officers of the Departments mainly concerned in the schemes and thes officers in turn explained in greater detail some of the moie important projects.

The meeting was convened by the Westland and Buller Regional Planning Councils and was attended by representatives of local authorities and other bodies interested in the development of the two regions. The Mayor of Greymouth (Mr. F. A. Kitchingham) presided. After the plan had been presented it was adopted on the motion of the Mayor of Westport (Mr J. M. Ivobciison) and seconded by Mr J. Coghlan (Inangahua County Council). Mr Walace (Westland County Council), Mr J. Saunders (Westland District Progress League)., and Hon. James O’Brien (Member lor Westland), also spoke in support of the proposals. “Some people will say that this is a political ‘stunt’,’’ said the Minister m his opening remarks, “but it is not. It is common* sense. The whole world will have to be planned. Instead of pulling against each other, we shall have to pull together for the common good.” He said that the plans to be submitted were not the final word, but formed the basis of a plan that could be extended or reduced. It was impossible to foretell the changes that might take place during the next 10 years. The plan was not a schedule ol works, but was comprised of things that the department had considered should be carried out within the next 10 years. Local bodies would have an opportunity to determine what should be done. Under present day conditions there was no room for the “Rafferty Rules,” the Ministry of Works had to work out a plan to give the greatest good to the whole country.

Referring to the effect of the war on New Zealand, Mr Semple expressed the' opinion that it would be many years before the country returned to normal. This country, he said, had not felt the full consequences of the war, but had, to a degree suffered from shortages. Co-operation between the Government and local bodies would do much towards preventinng overlapping. Questions of necessary works were discussed by the Ministry with other Government departments and the same principles would have to be applied to local bodies'. SHORTAGES Referring to shortages of manpower and material, the Minister stated that a shortage of skilled men had depleted the staff of the Works Department. It was easy to talk about planning a nation, but it was also necessary to have men to carry those plans l into effect. Within the next two months, New Zealand would be planned for from end to end —for the first time in her history. New Zealand was faced with an annual deficiency of 70,000,000 board feet of timber for building. People asked why, but it was a matter of getting men to go into the bush. “11 you can tell me how to get men to go into the jungle, do so, don’t just snivel about it,’’ added the Minister. In addition to general shortages for building, there were also serious shortages of cement, steel and coal, and in his opinion, these would not be met for some time, “While we have shortages, it is only common sense to make tha best of the materials to hand. It is a matter of diverting manpower and materials to where they are most needed —not as a political stunt, but in the interests of sound common sense,’’ he continued. "We are in the midst of difficulties. Snivelling will not get us out of them. It is a matter for scientific planning and hard skilful toil. Some people who want to take the most out of the nation's pool, put the least into it. Some want to take money without giving adequate labour in return. We do not live on money, but on production. We have to fight our way out of this position just as we fought our way out of the war. The sooner that people realise that ‘sponging’ will kill the ‘goose that laid the golden egg,’ the better. “I am not looking for political kudos or pats on the back from the Press' or anyone else," he concluded. "The technical officers of the department are here to present the plan, and if there is any criticism, I want it here, not after I have gone.” Summary of Works Nine categories of works were outlined by the Minister as follows: — LAND DEVELOPMENT Soil Council Land clearing by machinery. Inangahua river control. Development of forest by State Forest Service at: — Hukawai, Granville, Rimu, Lake lanthe, Seddonville, Te Kuha and Nile River. Local Body Works Land drainage in Buller County. River control works. Westland Catchment Board. Buller region. INDUSTRIAL Mines Department Stockton State Coal Mine, haulage improvements; Burke’s Creek Colliery; Garvey’s Creek Mine, development; Liverpool Colliery, drives to new seams; Mt. Davey Scheme, opening up coal field; State Coal Mines, Grey district, minor works; processing of coals in West Coast and Buller regions. COMMUNICATIONS Post and Telegraph Hokitika.—New Post Office; P. and T. Department, minor buildings. State Highways Nelson-Westport.—Murchison County boundary to Inangahua Junction, reconstruction and bridging; Inangahua Junction to Westport, reconstruction. Inangahua Junction to Greymouth; Inangahua to Reefton, recon-

slruciion and bridging; Reefton to Ikamatua, reconstruction; Stillwater to Dobson, reconstruction; Greymouth to Waiho, Taramakau deviation and bridge, Hokitika to Waitaha, reconstruction. Waitahi to Waiho, improvements- Waiho to Weheka, reconstruction; Arthur's Pass to Kumara, improvements. State Highway Bridge Renewals Nelson-Westport—Renewal of eight bridges, including Buller river bridge at Westport, and Blackwater Creek bridge. _ , . Inangahua-Greymouth. —Renew al ol 10 bridges, including Inangahua river bridge at Reef ton; Little Grey river bridge; Blackwater Creek bridge; Big Grey River bridge. Greymouth-Waiho.—Renewal of 22 bridges, including Taramakau river bridge; Arahura river bridge; Mikonui river brige; Big Waitaha riverbridge; Big Wanganui river bridge, nnd°Poerua river bridge.

Christchurch-Kumara JunctionRenewal of seven bridges, including the Otira river bridge. Main Highways Buller County— Mokihinui bridge to Karamea, improvements; Westport to Mokihinui bridge, improvements and sealing; Westport to Charleston deviation via Cape Foulwind or improvements; Charleston to Punakaiki, improvements. Inangahua County.—Reefton to Garvey’s Creek, reconstruction; Rahu Saddle section, reconstruction. Grey County.—Punakaiki to Runanga, improvements. Main Highway Bridge Renewals Westport-Karamea: 17 bridges; Granity-Stockton: three bridges; Stafford Loop: eight bridges; WestportGreyinouth: five bridges; Lake Kanieri Main Highway eight bridges; Kanieri-Koiterangi, 12 bridges, including Kokatahi river bridge; Upper Kokatahi Main Highway, renewal of three bridges; Forks to Okarito, five bridges; Kumara-Haupiri, renewal ol one bridge and construction of two new bridges; Ngahere to Haupin, renewal of one bridge.

Roads and Streets Karangarua to Haast Pass, road construction; Springs Junction to Matakitaki, improvements; Lake Kanieri to Kokatahi via Dorothy Falls and Styx, investigate proposed new road; Inchbonnie to Jacksons, investigate proposed new road; Karangaiua to Welcome Flat, investigate proposed new road; Arawata to the Hollyford, investigate proposed new road’. Miscellaneous Government road proposals include: Waiho beach toad. Crooked River Valley road, and Bruce Bay access road.

Local Body Works Buller, Inangauha and Grey County road and bridge proposals; streets and paths construction, and improvements in Boroughs of Westport, Greymouth, Ross, Runanga and Inangahua County. Brunner Eorough.—Traffic bridge over Grey river. Railways

South Westland Railway extension, investigation; Westport to Charleston railway, investigation; Rolleston to Hokitika line, minor grade easements, and station yard re-arrange-ments; Glenhope to Inangahua, railway investigation. Airways Hokitika, new airport; Greymouth, airport extensions; Waiho, derodrome extensions. Minor airfield proposals. Local bodies: Air parks for private and club flying. Harbours

Westport harbour, improvements; Okarito harbour, investigation; Bruce Bay harbour, wharf construction. Greymouth Harbour Board: harbour improvements. UTILITIES Government State Hydro-electric Department transmission lines and substation, Water supply: Blackball and Grey Valley. Local Bodies . Grey Power Board, extensions to reticulation; Buller County, GranityNgakawau water supply; Inangahua County, Reefton water supply ienewals and drainage; Westpoit Borough, water supply extensions and gasworks renewals and extensions; Greymouth Borough. water supply renewals, Cobden seweiage, stormwater drainage; Hokfika Borough, water supply renewals, new fire station; Ross Borough, water supply renewals; Runanga Borough, drainage improvements; Kumara Borough, water supply completion and new sewerage system; Brunner Borough, water supply reticulation. HOUSING State housing Department: erection of State houses throughout the area; Miners' Hostel, Reefton. SOCIAL SERVICES Government Mental Hospitals Department:— Hokitika Mental Hospital, extensions. Education Department—Hokitika, a new primary school; Greymouth Technical School, new classrooms. National Broadcasting Services:— Greymouth, new studio and transmitter; Westport., new studio. Tourist facilities—Franz Josef Glacier, aerial tramway. Local Bodies Buller Hospital Board, additions and improvements; Inangahua Hospital Board, new hospital and nurses’ home; Grey Hospital Board, extensionsl; Westland Hospital Board, extensions and improvements; Buller County, Granity swimming baths; Inangahua County, Reefton Community Centre and Sports Centre; Westport Borough, new recreation areas; Greymouth Borough: Sports Centre, clock tower, recreation reserves, civic square cemetery extension and crematorium, removal of abattoirs; Ross l Borough, improvements to Public Hall-

PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION Government Greymouth, new Government Cen-

tre; Westport, Government Centre, investigation. Police Department Greymouth, new police station and minor police buildings. Justice Department—Westport, new courthouse; Reef ton new courthouse. Public Works Department new workshops at Greymouth.

Local Bodies . . Westport Borough—new Municipal workshops',’ Grey Electric Power Board, new offices, stores, workshops and garages; Hokitika, new Town Hall/ REGIONAL PLANS ALLUCIDATED Hon. Mr Semple stated that, although this plan was one of the last to be announced, it did not mean that the development of this district was considered of less importance than those others which had been dealt with at an earlier stage. On the contrary the Government was fully alive to the importance of the West Coast in the national economy and to the necessity for a vigorous policy of development throughout the area. As a result of New Zealand’s wareffort and the vast accumulation of deferred works, both labour and materials were still in short supply and it was essential that the best possible use should be made of those resources which were available. Sound planning was necessary not only as regards Government Works, but also throughout the whole construction field and to enable private enterprise, local bodies and the Government to plan with confidence it was important that each should be familiar with the proposals of the others. The Government had taken two important steps which would materially assist in bringing about cooperation and mutual understanding. These steps were, firstly, the establishment of the Ministry of Works with responsibility for co-ordination of the whole field of construction on a national basis and secondly, the enactment of the Finance Act (No. 3) i'944 and subsequent extensions enabling the Government and local bodies to undertake works jointly and preventing the inflation of land values against the Crown and Local Authorities when the time came foi construction to commence.

That day, there would be published a special issue of the Gazette giving formal public notice, under Section 29 of the above Act, of the scheme of development the Minister was about to describe. This notice specified ten years as tlie period during which the Government or local bodies would need to acquire any lands necessary for five various works announced to-day, although the construction would not necessarily be completed or even started within that time. There were two main sections of the notice, the first being a brief formal description of the works and .the second a description of the area affected. Although the area defined in the notice included the whole of four counties it would be apparent that the land actually to be acquired for the projects in the plan must be confined to comparatively small areas scattered throughout the regi.on.

The Gazette notice, said Mr Semple, did not give any person a right to enter on any land nor did it take any land. It would not even be registered against any landowners’ title. When it became necessary to enter on any land or to acquire it for any work/ the normal procedure taken in the past would have to be followed. The notice merely announced the Government's proposals to the public and enabled the Government and each of the local authorities to review its individual proposals in the light of proposals of other interested authorities. The Minister of Works now had full responsibility for physical planniiig and the Government was steadily building up through the Commissioner of Works an administration capable of securing complete co-ordination of planning and construction. Die Commissioner had been greatly handicapped; at first by his pye-occupation with works associated with the war effort, both here and overseas., and then by continued absence of experienced staff. It had not yet been possible for him to collate as completely as he would wish, information gathered from a large number of Government Departments, local authorities, and other sources, for the preparation of regional plans. Accordingly, the development proposals were not regarded as either complete or perfect, but as far as they could be forecast at present.

The Government was expected to bear the major responsibility for national development and a knowledge of the Government’s intentions was vitally necessary to local bodies and private enterprise when formulating their own plans. This was particularly true in town planning. Mr Semple attributed past difficulties in this important matter very largely to the fact that Government Departments and local authorities had not exchanged confidences as to their proposals.

Consequently, the Government had placed itself in a position to disclose its proposals well in advance, giving local authorities and the public full opportunity to study those proposals, and the Government the benefit of any constructive criticism forthcoming. The local authorities individually had responded by giving full information concerning their intentions and to-day’s meeting was to acquaint all of them with the main proposals as far as they had now been examined.

The works were still in the planning stages only. The Government now wished the Regional Councils and various local authorities to give these plans their fullest consideration. After study, discussion and the collection of further information, no doubt the need would be shown for alterations or additions. When these necessary adjustments had been made, Regional Councils and local authorities 1 would be able to adopt the Regional Plan as the basis ol their own internal planning. Under the Town Planning Act, all boroughs of over 1000 population and ceP.ain other special areas were required to prepare and submit town planning schemes for the approval of the Town Planning Board, and the Minister was confident that the information. now supplied as to major works proposals would be of great, advantage in the preparation of these town plans.

The plan for the Greymouth Boi’ough had already reached an advanced stage and with the information now available it should soon be completed and approved and no doubt the same applied to other local bodies concerned.

It was the Government’s intention in conjunction with the local authorities, to ensure that no time was lost in moving from the planning

to the construction stage while yet dealing with all works in their logical priority. Each financial year all the works would be reviewed by the Commissioner of Works and the Minister, and recommendations made to the Government as to which should be started in the next financial year. The most important factors in the selection of works each year would be: (1) the availability of the materials; (2) local necessity, (3) consideration of full employment and full production to which the Government was pledged; (4) the finance available and the relation or the individual work to the general economy cf the country; (5) the availability of engineering and other trained staff to handle each project. The Government would not .be committed to commence any particular work by any particular time, but. statements would be made from time to time as to which would be started and when. Plans for some of the works mentioned, were well forward but. most of them still required considerable preparation and investigation, and in this the shortage of technical staff was still proving a serious handicap. Approved works would, however, proceed to the programme stage with the minimum'of delay.

Mr Semple stated that he had brought display maps for the purpose of illustrating the various works in the plan but it had been impossible Io show on such maps the multitude of minor improvements throughout the area without obscuring the picture of the major works.' These smaller jobs, however, including maintenance, amounted to a considerable volume of work and they would have to receive equal consideration in drawing up the annual programmes of work.

Geographically, the West Coast was isolated from the rest of the South Island by the formidable barrier of the Southern Alps. Vast forests originally covered the v, hole area from the high mountain slopes to the sea and to-day a large percentage of the area was still foiest covered.

Physically the two regions consisted of a long narrow strip of country extending for three hundred miles from Karamea in the North to Big Bay in the South. The northern sec-' tion widened out to 50 miles in the Grey river catchment, but from Hokitika southwards the overage width between the mountain divide and the coast was only 25 miles. Of this area the only flat country was a narrow coastal strip and numerous river fiats of limited area. Across this elongated area flowed many rivers and streams which, although mostly short, carried large volumes of water and owing to the heavy rainfall were subject to frequent floods. The coastline was unbroken, the only harbours being at the mouths of the larger rivers. With such natural difficulties it wao not surprising that settlement on the West Coast had lagged behind that in other parts. A dramatic change had occurred, however, in the sixties of last century with the discovery of rich goldfields in the Grey and Hokitika areas. From that time the growth of Westland was rapid. Additional wealth was discovered in the extensive coalfields in the Grey and Buller districts and these together with the vast timber resources have now replaced gold as the principal wealth of the district. The development of farm lands which followed was confined to the river flats and portions of the level coastal strip but on the West Coast this industry had not. yet assumed the outstanding importance that it had in other districts. Nevertheless, on the limited areas available to them, and in spite of transportation and other difficulties the farmers of the Coast had produced cattle, sheep' and dairy produce second to none in the Dominion. Assets of a totally different character have been provided by those self-same natural features which proved such a barrier to the early settlement of the district —the mountains, the forests, the rivers and the lakes. These scenic attractions, said Mr Semple, were unsurpassed in New Zealand and the central block of the Southern Alps with the Franz Josef and the Fox Glaciers had attained a world-wide fame. It was obvtous that in considering the development of the two regions over the next ten years emphasis must be placed on three industries: coal mining, timber production and farming and these formed the basis of the plan presented to-day. In the Buller coal fields the Government proposed to instal an aerial ropeway at Stockton for conveying coal to the storage bins. The Burke’s Creek Colliery near Reefton, was to be reconditioned and modern handling facilities installed, whilst at tne Garvey's Creek Mine, Blocks A and B were to be opened up and developed. in the Grey Valley, a new seam was to be opened up at Liverpool mine; the Mt Davey field was to be proved and developed, the Tyneside mine de-watered and improvements effected at Dobson and Strongman Collieries. Experimental work was to be carried out on the blending and briquetting of slack coal from various mines in the Buller regifon and the lignite deposits of Charleston. On completion of these experiments a processing plant would be erected on a site yet to be determined. The State Forest Service has planned the development of an • area between Reefton and Totara Flat comprising the Tawhai, l-likuwai and Granville State forests. The work includes silviculture of indigenous beech forests with some extraction of timber and mine props and the planting of exotic species on the open spaces, as well as the establishment of nurseries, the erection of buildings and road construction. Development is also planned for Sedodnville, Te Kuha and Nile river. Silviculture and maintenance is to be carried out on the exotic State forest at Rimu and at Lake lanthe the wild rimu forest is to be brought under silviculture and management, timber is to be extracted and part of the area planted with exotic cypresses. There were many hundreds of squire miles of natural forests which had not yet been touched and plans for their development and for the extraction of timber would have to be formulated in the near future. In a region of such high rainfall and so many swiftly flowing rivers, said Mr Semple, it was to be expected that land development proposals would be concerned largely with clearing, drainage and river control. Land clearing by machinery had proved successful in many parts of the Coast and it was proposed Io continue this work as machines became available, several areas in the Karamea and Inangahua districts being listed for immediate attention. In the Buller County, there were drainage proposals affecting 3200 acres of farm land including various areas near Westport and at Orowaiti, Waimangaroa-Birchfield, Waimanga-roa-Fairdown, Bradshaw’s Creek and Arapito VallejL River Erosion Problems Stopbanking, diversion cuts and bank protection were proposed on the Inangahua river from Reefton to the Buller river. In the Buller County, channel improvement, protection and training works were proposed on a numebr of rivers and streams including Oparara. Little Wanganui, Mokihinui, Ngakawau, Waimangaroa, Little Totara, Nile and Punakaiki rivers. The newly formed Westland Catchment Board has not yet formulated a definite plan of works but among the large number of rivers and streams to be dealt with in its area, protection works were, proposed on the Grey, Taramakau, Hokitika, Waitaha, Big Wanganui, Poerua, Wataroa, Waitangi, Waiho and Arawata rivers.

The Minister then drew attention to the spirit of enterprise which had characterised so many West Coasters and to the large part this had played in the development of the

West Coast, instancing the privatelyowned co-operative coal mines, the numerous timber mills and the many’ large dredges and other gold mining companies which were successfully operating. He also referred to the proposed production of lime for the development of pakhi lands in the Buller region and to the possibility of producing cement in the Cape Foulwind area where all the necessary’ ingredients were available and the site already served by a branch railway line, a,nd stated that the Government would give full consideration to any proposal for using coal resources for such a purpose.

A.ll these phases of development, however,, said Mr Semple, were dependent on adequate and up-to-date communication systems and the establishment and maintenance of these systems had always been a problem o’l the difficult terrain of the Coast. All phases of communimations were dealt with in the plan which contained more individual items under this heading than under any other. The Railways Department proposed to effect improvements in the alignment and grades of the Arthur’s Pass to Hokitika line, particularly between Stillwater and Dobson, and the list of proposals included three new railway, construction projects. These were the extension of the South line from Ross to Wataroa, the construction of a line from Westport to Charleston, and the completion of the rail link between Inangahua Junction and Glenhope, on the Nelson system, all of which were scheduled for further investigation. ROADING IMPROVEMENTS The Main Highways’ Board’s proposals were very extensive and they included the reconstruction of the Nelson to Westport State highway from the Murchison County boundary to the outlet of the lower Buller (Gorge, and improvements on the Inangahua to Greymouth State highway from Inangahua to Ikamatua, and from Stillwater to Dobson. On the Greymouth to Waiho State highway reconstruction was to be resumed on the Waitaha section and major improvements carried out between Waitaha and Waiho. Heavy reconstruction was proposed for the Waiho to Weheka section of the Waiho to Karangarua State Highway and improvements would be carried out on the Kumara to Christchurch State highway between Kumara and Arthur’s Pass. Main highway projects included improvements and sealing on the Westport-Karamea main highway and on the Westport-Greymouth coast road, including a proposed deviation via Cape Foulwind on the Westport-Charleston section. On the Reefton to Hamner Junction main highway reconstruction would be completely over the Rahu Saddle and between Reefton and Garvey’s Creek. On both State and main highways the board was faced with a heavy programme of bridge renewals. The major renewals included in the plan were the Buller river bridge at Westport and the Blackwater Creek bridge on the Nelson-Westport State highway, the combined road and rail bridges between Inangahua and Reefion, the Inangahua river bridge at Reefton, the Little Grey river bridge between Reefton and Greymouth, the 'l’aramakau, Arahuia Mikonui, Big Waitaha, Big Wanganui and Poerua river bridges between Greymouth and Waiho, the Otira bridge on the Christchurch-Kumaia State highway at Otira and the Kokatahi river bridge on the KanieriKoiterangi main highway. In addition to this there were one hundred smaller highway bridges also to be renewed. The Minister referred to the many new roads still required. The major proposal in this plan was the completion of the South Westland road from the Paringa river to Haast Pass. This was a most important project, which in addition to opening up the southern part of Westland, would provide a road link with Otago and become a very popular tourist route. It was also proposed to improye the Springs Junction to Matakitaki road as far as the Murchison County boundary. Other proposals for new routes included roads from Karamea to Collingwood, Inchbonnie to Jacksons, Lake Kanieri to Kokatahi via Dorothy Falls and Styx, Karangarua to Welcome Flat via the Copland Valley; Waiho beach road; Crooked River Valley road and improvements to Bruce Bay access road. Another major proposal was the road from Arawata to the Hollyford Valley via Cascade and Big Bay. This would link up with the Te Anau to Milford Sound main highway and both this and the Haast Pass road would form important links between the scenic resorts of Otago and Southland ana those of South Westland. Buller County proposals included Seddonville to Charming Creek Road, Burnett’s Face to Cedar Creek Road, Four Mile Road, Punakaiki to Bullock Creek and Oparara river to Fenian Creek road, as well as renewal of 20 road bridges. Inangahua County planned the formation and metalling of Douglas road, improvements to Brown’s Creek and the renewal of two bridges. Grey County intended to improve Arnold Valley road, Mallison’s road, and Montgomery’s Terrace, _ street construction in Moana township; a two-mile deviation on Big river road, construction of Blackball back road and the renewal of 10 road bridges. Westland County’s programme included minor road improvements and the renewal of 4200 feet of old timber bridges including Kaihinu bridge in the Arahura Valley, Borough road bridge, Petersen road bridge, Mahinapua Creek bridge on Mananui road; Four Mile and Nine Mile bridges 1 on Harihari Flat road and No. 1 bridge on the Waitaha rpad. Street and footpath construction and improvements were proposed by Westport Borough, Inangahua County at Reefton, Greymouth Borough, Ross Borough and Runanga Borough. The problem of transporting coal timber and other products to the North Island, said Mr Semple, had focussed attention on harbour facilities. The river ports of Greymouth and Westport, which were the principal outlets for the coal trade were difficult to maintain and at times were unworkable. The principal reasons' were their exposure to heavy seas during westerly weather and the formation. of sand bars across their entrances as a result of the littoral drift which was a feature of the whole length of this coast. Improvements were proposed for both ports. Other harbours on the West Coast particularly Okarito and Bruce Bay which would if suitably improved, provide valuable outlets for the timber of South Westland,, were listed

for attention. In the field of air transport, said the Minister, numerous proposals were included in the plan. Air services on the Coast had been established and had proved of inestimable value, particuarly to the isolated settlors in the far south, and it was the Government’s intention to see that this service was maintained and improved. A new airport for Hokitika had already been approved and extensions were proposed at Greymouth and Waiho, while other landinggrounds would be improved and additional facilities provided as reqired by the expansion of the service. The growing activities ot the Post and Telegraph Department had also necessitated the planning of additional buildings and equipment for that department. New post offices were proposed for Hokitika, Kumara and Otira, a new automatic exchange building for Greymouth and additions to the Post and Telegraph buildings at Greymouth, Westport, Hokitika, and Reefton. The rapidly increasing demand for electric power had necessitated the linking up of all sources of power development in each island so that peak loads in one district could he met by drawing on surplus power from another district. Westland had already been linked to Canterbury by the transmission line over Arthur’s Pass. It was now proposed to construct a 66,000 volt line from Stoke (near Nelson) to Blackwater on the West Coast system; also a branch line from Inangahua Junction to Waimangaroa in the Westport area where a hew substation was to be erected as a distribution point for power to the newly formed Buller Power Board. Additional substations and extension to the existing ones were proposed as the demand grew. The Grey Electric Power Board proposed to extend its reticulation and to erect new offices, workshops and garages. A water supply scheme for Blackball and the Grey Valley was already under survey by the Government and the Buller County proposed one for Granity and Ngakawau, Improvements and extension to existing water supplies were proposed by Inangahua County (for Reefton) and by Westport, Greymouth, Hokitika, Ross, Kumara and Brunner Boroughs. Greymouth Borough intended installing a sewerage scheme for Cobden, a new sewerage scheme was proposed by Kumara Borough, stormwater drainage extensions and improvements by Greymouth and Runanga, and drainage renewals at Reefton by the Inangahua County. Westport proposed extensions and renewals to the municipal gasworks. Special consideration would have to be given to the provision of adequate housing for timber workers, but at present the principal demand was in the urban areas, particularly Westport, Greymouth, Hokitika, and Reefton. A hostel for miners on Reefton coal fields must receive ' early consideration. Improved hospital facilities were proposed throughout the district. These included extensions to the Hokitika Mental Hospital, a new hospital for the Inangahua Hospital Board at Reefton and additions and improvements to the various hospital buildings under the control of the Buller, Grey and Westland Hospital Boards. The Education Department intended building a new primary school at Hokitika and new class rooms for the Greymouth Technical School. Th? Broadcasting Service aimed at a complete coverage. For this purpose it was proposed to erect a new studio and transmitter at Greymouth and a new studio in Westport.

Mr Semple said it was intended to investigate the provision of an aerial tramway at Franz Josef Glacier. This would enable tourists to reach easily the snowfields at the head of the glacier and would open up a wonderful area

for ski-ing and mountaineering. Various local bodies proposed additional amenities in their respective towns including, for Greymouth, a civic square, a clock lower, sports centre and recreational reserves, a crematorium, extensions to the cemetery and the removal of the abattoirs to a site more remote from residential areas-; recreation areas for Westport and improvements to Totara Hall in Ross. Inangahua County proposed a civic centre and a sports centre in both Reefton and Buller Counties and new swimming baths for Granity.

Buildings for o.dministrative purposes, were also proposed, said the Minister, including a Government centre, a new police station and a Public Works Workshop in Greymouth; new police stations at Karamea, Millerton and Dobson; new courthouses at Westport and Reefton and possible aditional accommodation for the Government departments in Westport. Hokitika Borough proposed to build a new Town Hall and Westport Borough, new municipal workshops.