DISTRICT MATTERS

Hokitika Guardian, 12 October 1928, Page 4

DISTRICT MATTERS

—~ . .« AIR SEDDON AI.P. RETURNS."

Air Seddon, Member for Westland, returned to the Coast yesterday, travelling across by the special train with the Empire Forestry Delegation. Air Seddon met the various members of the party who hail from all parts of the British Empire. ' Every Dominion, State and Crown Colony in the British Empire, is represented in the party, and Air Seddon had interesting chats/ with several of the party, all of whom evinced the greatest interest in the scenery along the route. In the back country much snow was in evidence, and in the bright sunshine presented a remarkable landscape picture. Many of the visitors were thrilled with the scene, the long chain of mountain ranges impressing them specialty. In the forest also, much interest was evinced, and the variety and greenness of it all seemed to he specially observed. The party enjoyed the whole trip through as a very pleasing incident of their tour.

Air Seddon, now that he has returned, hopes to make an early start with his election campaign. He purposes' visiting Hokitika on AJonday, and in the evening hopes to meet friends and supporters to form an election commitee. The committee at Greymouth will he met the following evening. On Wednesday Air Seddon starts feis platform campaign, opening in the northern part of the district and working south as the tim© permits. There will be a strenuous month in which to cover as much ground as possible, but being familiar with the constituency, he Ropes to succeed .in that respect with very general satisfaction to the electors.

Air Seddon expressed gratification with the result of the efforts in regard to public works. In the Westland Opunty he indicated that many works were being provided for which would be a boon to general traffic. The back blocks were not overlooked, and pome track votes would be appreciated at Taipo, Totara, Waitaha and Big Wanganui. The road rotes were for useful new works, and he thought the main highways votes were, exceedingly liberal. Some of the principal sections in Westland County were to be widened, the work starting at once, so that work would be available right away. The bridges on the main south road still required as far as Weheka, are practically all assured, and the work of erection will proceed as fast'as the material can he assembled. Three or four of the bridges at least should be finished within the next six months or so.

It was indicated by Air Seddon that the provision for the Great South Road to connect Westland and Otago, was. a matter for special congratulation to the southern district—the far particularly so. He had the matter early in the session, and * specially mentioned it during the .V bate on the Financial .Statement, As' recoi-ded in Hansard. Since then he had discussed the proposition with the Prime Minister and also the Alinister of Public Works. It was therefore very gratifying to find the . great - scheme outlined in the Public Statement, and to clinch the matter there was a vote of £1,500 (on account) on the Supplementary Estimates to start the work. He had the assurance of the Alinisters that the work would proceed definitely, and a survey party, would he put on as scon as possible to lay off the first sections of the work to ibe done He was glad to see this matted finalised so satisfactorily and would continue to use his best efforts to see it advanced with all possible speed. Before leaving Wellington Air Seddon had heard of the Inter-Wanganui nooding due to the overflowing of the Little Wanganui river. He had taken . the opportunity of conferring with the Alinister of Public AVorks, and Air Williams promised to get into touch with the District Engineer vat once. Since then he gleaned that the Government would a-ssist in the matter, and it was likely the County Council staff would he requested to carry on the proposed protective works. The proposals for the work were now being made, and as soon as the details were available, the Alinister had promised •to advise as to his decision, which he . thought would be satisfactory. Air Seddon expressed pleasure at being back on to Coast. The session had been strenuous in many ways. The committee work was considerable. It would be a. not unpleasant change to he amongst his friends again, and he was glad to know from the many expressions he had heard, that his candidature promised to he as favourably received as heretofore. It would give him very great pleasure in the very near future to meet his constituents in all parts of the district and. render an account of his stewardship.