MINISTER OF PUBLIC WORKS.

Hokitika Guardian, 25 March 1922, Page 2

MINISTER OF PUBLIC WORKS.

IN THE FAR SOUTH

A USEFUL VISIT.

(From a correspondent). Last Friday (17th inst). the Okuru ~ district was favoured with a visit fcom the Hon J. C. Coates and party, ife party visited Okuru and returned to Haast the same day.

After riding round the district they were met by a gathering of settlers in Okuru Hall, and after an address welcome was extended by the Chairman (Mr W. D. Nolan) of the local committee, the wants and requirements of the district were placed before the Hon Minister. The sincerity of his reply was very much appreciated and was in a very favourable tone. He said he would make no rash promises so there would be no disappointments, but he assured the residents that all their requests would be carefully noted, and after a full investigation by the (Department concerned, he hoped that the government would be able to assist towards at least the most urgent requests. He said he was greatly in sympathy with any backblock settlement. He had been a ba-ckblocker himself in his early days and thoroughly understood the priva-Aj tions.; and hardships involved. J said that Okuru was one of the most remote settlements in New Zealand amd with the poorest means of corattiuiiicatioii. He remarked that the telephone line was at present a disgrace to the department. * , The shipping facilities he realised, (the most vital means of communica•tion) were altogether inadequate and were such as no district could prosper under. He promised to make an urgent appeal to the Department concerned to have the present service improved.. He liked the district and he liked its people; the welcome extended to him was all that could be desired. For tho future of the district he had great hopes, the fertility of the land was 'all j that could be desired, and with better - means of colfinmnicatiou he felt sure that a thriving aUd prosperous district would he the result. Foremost amongst the requests made to the Hon Minister were:—A better sea service; the telephone system to be maintained in a better state of repair; Haast Pass track *to be kept open by installing a permanent roadman; the bridging of the Waiho river, authorised votes for district works to be promptly spent; also several other matters of. district importance. The party left the Haast next day for Otago via the Hfiast PfisSi