Ministerial Visit

Grey River Argus, 25 March 1947, Page 8

Ministerial Visit

Three members of Cabinet, Hon. R. Semple (Minister of Works and Railways), Hon. E. L. Cullen (Minister of Agriculture and Hon. C. F. Skinner (Minister of Rehabilitation) visited Karamea on Friday last. They were given a splendid reception at the functions which they attended and inspected various works and .proposals for the betterment of the dairying district.

The official party which also included the chairman of the Buller County Council (Mr F. Connew), the Mayor of Wescport (Mr- J. M. Robertson) Hon W. H. Mclntyre (chairman of the Nelson Education Board), and officers of the Public Works and Agriculture Departments and Buller local bodies was met on its.' arrival by Mr W. Gourley (Karamea representative on the Buller County Council).

The Ministers inspected the Kongahu swamp which it is proposed should be reclaimed and also the area affected by sea erosion at Little Wanganui. They then proceeded to Arapito where they discussed a scheme for the drainage of farm land. Mr Gourley escorted Messrs Semple, Skinner and Cullen over the Karamea airfield, which, he urged, S'hc.uld be put in order so that planes could pick up passengers from the district on their way to and from Westport and Nelson. Many residents were present at a function associated with the officii! opening of the new secondary school block at Karamea. Mr L. Currie (chairman of the School Committee) presided and welcomed the visitors. Hon. W. H. Mclntyre spoke at length on the progress' of education in the Buller district, paying a particular tribute to the help given by the Minister of Education (Mr Mason).

Mr Skinner, who performed the opening ceremony, expressed the opinion that there could be few more attractive grounds on 'the West Coast than that at the Karamea school.

Mr Skinner spoke of the interest taken by Ins predecessor (Mr F. C. Webb) in the Karamea district and of the progressive policy of the Public Works 1 Department under the guidance of Mr Semple, which had made possible the construction of schools at Karamea and other parts of New Zealand.

At the conclusion of the ceremony the guests were entertained at afternoon tea by the Karamea School Committee.