With Mr. Semple In The North

Northern Advocate, 21 February 1939, Page 3

With Mr. Semple In The North

i j i [From Our Special Reporter. 1 | | WHAKAPARA BRIDGE ! I AND DEVIATION. i First inspection made by the Hon. R. ! I Semple on his tour North was the new j two-way bridge on the main highway j at Whakapara. This 240 ft. structure ' replaced a 120 ft. wooden bridge and, with a much higher clearance in keep* ing with the adjoining railway bridge, has prevented flood Water ponding at this point, constituting one of the reasons why flooding has diminished at this hitherto notorious section. Mr. Semple also commended the short deviation, now in process of formation, which will eliminate two dangerous level crossings right on the fringe of the township ROAD AND BRIDGE AT MOEREWA. “Without deprecating the urgency of your need there are thousands who have been in the mud for forty years, while you have only been there ten,” Hon. R. Semple, Minister of Public Works, told Mrs, Christie, who waited upon him at Moerewa. The County Chairman. Mr. H. T. Atkinson, said that while provision of a bridge and reading access, as asked for by Mrs. Christie, was a necessary work, ft would have to be considered in order of urgency and in accordance with the finances of the County. ) RECREATION GROUND FOR KAWAKAWA. The Chamber of Commerce and Town Board united at Kawakawa in asking the co-operation of the Hon. R. Semple, for the futherance of a sports’ ground. Services of a Departmental officer to survey the merits of seventy acres of Domain Board reserve above the school, five acres at Irishtovvn, or, alternatively, the acquisition of private property, and assistance in the formation of the ground, when the site was decided upon, were the requests made. Furnishing of recreation grounds, particularly now the shorter working week was in operation, was desired by the Government said Mr. Semple, promising to bring the matter under the notice of the Minister of Lands. {

VALUE OF MECHANISATION Estimates based on mechanisation might enable the Government to attempt operations impracticable in the pick and shovel days, Mr. Semple told a deputation at Kawakawa. The Departmental surveys made three years ago indicated that drainage of the Motatau and Pokapu valleys would cost double the value of the land. “Understanding the proper use of power one can shift mountains these days,” Mr. Semple continued. “At the Rangitata, spoil which would have cost 7/- per yard to remove by hand labour is being shifted for 3d. If New Zealand is to be built quickly, well and cheaply, our minds must accept revolutionary measures.”

The Motatau Valley was 20 miles long, said Mr. G. H. Mackenzie, and was one of the most fertile areas in the county. The drainage area for thousands of acres was a bottle neck outlet at Otiria, This had been blocked by an ancient landslide, reducing the natural fall of the river. Construction of a canal through the old watercourse would result in the carrying capacity being increased fourfold. Under present conditions the whole area was under water for a fortnight at times. MAORIS AND RATES. When the Maoris were established on equality with the pakehas they would be expected to pay their quota to national and local Governments, and in the meantime the Government would have to do something to assist local bodies, said Mr. Semple at Kawakawa. One third of privately owned European land had to bear the burden of finance for reading, the remaining two thirds being equally divided between Crown and native lands, said Mi’. H. T. Atkinson, county chairman. The problem was a national one outside his jurisdiction, Mr. Semple said. The Government realised its responsibilities to the native race. The natives responded well when placed on pay equality, such as on Public Works. When they were enjoying the same privileges as others the Maoris should pay their way, and the Government was making it possible for them to do that. WORKERS APPEAL ! TO MINISTER.

Highly appealing to Mr. Semple was an account of how three brothers named Ha}-, all in their twenties, had taken a block of undeveloped land near Hukerenul three years ago, and were gradually bringing it into productivity, while supplementing their growing butterfat cheques by earnings from outside jobs. Warmly commending the trio for what they were doing to get a footing on the land, the Minister said, “I prefer to sec you doing that than loafing about the city. I only wish there were more boys like you possessing the courage and enterprise to take a risk attempting something really worth while." Referring to their application for access to the property, be premised to go out of his way to help to demonstrate his appreciation of what they were doing, Further reference to Mr. Semple's tour appears on Page 10.

A new German language daily newspaper, the “Volksdeutscho Zeitung." will appear in Berlin tomorrow ( as the official organ of the Nazi party.