WESTLAND MATTERS

Hokitika Guardian, 6 June 1930, Page 2

WESTLAND MATTERS

MINISTER! A L STATED I ENTS

Mr J. O’Brien, M.P. has received from Cabinet Ministers the following communications: — SILVER PINE- POLES. In reference to your letter of the .31st. March last concerning tip. payment tor supplies of silver-pine poles delivered to the Post and Telegraph Department on the West Coast of the Smith Island and further to Sir Joseph AVard’s interim reply of the Stli. April, I beg to state that the question of altering the system to permit of payment being made at the time of inspection has been investig; t>- l. As you are no doubt aware, silverpirn* pole suppliers ar ( > located over a wide area; and the satisfactory custody of numerous small lots of poles spread over this area is quite impracticably and precludes the favourable consideration of the request that payment for the poles he made before delivery at destination. There has been no alteration 'in the position as outlined to you in my letter dated the 22ik| February, 1929. The difficulties under which the small supplier is labouring at present are fully appreciated and with the. obiccl, of affording maximum relief m

.the matter, no effort is spaced biy the Department to ensure that poles held by suppliers are taken delivery of as soon as’possible, and that payment is arranged at. the earliest possible date. (Signed) Jos, B. Donald, Postmaster Generali '

FLOOD DAMAGE. I have to acknowledge receipt of your letter of the '2oth. instant, in which you refer to the danger of the Teremakau River overflowing into the Orangipuku River. I note. the. remarks contained in your letter, and also vour suggestion that reports . by my Department’s . officers ‘be . made from time to time with a view to the Department being'in a position to immediately take measures to . present the Teremakau. .River leaving its present course, should that appear necessary at any time. , In response to your representations, I am arranging for a report to be made on- the position, and shajl then giv c > the matter my earnest, consideration. .(Signed) E. A. Ransom, Minister of Public Works. KOKATARI POST OFFICE. “In reference to your letter of the oth April, submitting a petition from residents of Lower Kokatahi protesting against the decision of my Department tc transfer the Lower Kokatahi Post and Telephone office to accommodation in the store, and asking that the office be constituted one for the transaction of money-order and savings-bank business: I beg to inform you that, as the sledge building in which the office is at present conducted has readied a stage when it is aio longer serviceable. arrangements have been made to accommodate the Post Office in portion of the store belonging to the Postmaster. This accommodation is similar to that provided in the case of many other offices: and it is considered will meet all reasonable requirements. If the facilities to be provided for the transmission of telegrams and toll communication, are found to be unsatisfactory,. the erection of a soundproof cabinet will be considered. As regards the application for moneyorder and savings bank facilities: f have pleasure in informing you that arrangements are being made for a money-order and savings-bank branch to bo established at the office as early as possible. (Signed) John G. Cobbe for Postmaster General.

WAT ARO A SCHOOL. I am pleased to inform you that in view of your representations and a eonsideralble contribution from the residents in the form' of labour, I have approved of a special grant or .(.'2O towards the cost of 1 a tqnnis court at Wataroa. School.—(Signed) Harry At more. Minister of Education.