Public Works Minister Visits Foxton

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 47, 26 February 1936, Page 4

Public Works Minister Visits Foxton

DEPUTATIONS FROM LOCAL BODIES. For the purpose of receiving several deputations, the Minister of Public Works (Hon. R. Semple) paid a visit to Foxton yesterday, arriving there at 10 a.m. from Wanganui anu leaving late in the afternoon for Otaki, where he received further deputations. Accompanying the Minister were Mr John Wood (acting-enginecr-in-ehief of the Public Works Department) and Mr H. H. Sharpe (district engineer at Wellington). On its arrival, the party was joined by Messrs J. Hodgens, M.P. for Palmerston, C. L. Hunter, M.P. lor Manawatu, L. G. Lowry, M.P. Tor Otaki, and A. It. Acncson (Public Works Department’s engineer at Palmerston North. The Minister heard requests from interested local bodies in regard to the deviation of the Whirokino highway, from the Makcrua Drainage Board for assistance in the repairing of flood damage to the banking at Coley’s Bend, from the Manawatu-Oroua River Board in connection with the proposed 1 river cut at Whirokino, and from the Foxton Harbour Board in regard to the sealing of the Foxton beach road. On his arrival, the Minister was accorded a welcome by the Mayor (Mr '4jf. Perreau). He congratulated Mr j Semple on having been chosen as a j member of Cabinet and thanked him for having como to Foxton. Replying, the Minister said there were many things which needed doing throughout the country. He had spent sinco last Saturday visiting flood damage, which was extensive indeed, and ho had been in the happy position of telling deputations which had waited on him how far ho could go. He felt that judgment on the job was needed. He was sorry that the flood had done so much damage, but it was the duty of the Government to see that the citizens got the relief they deserved. He assured the Mayor that anything he or Cabinet could do to advance Foxton and the surrounding districts would be done if finances permitted,