NEEDS OF EAST COAST.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVII, Issue 17491, 8 June 1920, Page 5

NEEDS OF EAST COAST.

MR. COATES 'AT NAPIER. , REQUESTS OF DEPUTATIONS RAILWAYS, ROADS, AND POWER. .[BY telegraph.— tress ASSOCIATION.] NAPIE3, Monday. The Minister for Public Works, the Hon. J. G. Coates, arrived at Napier on Saturday evening, sod was waited on by a number of deputations from all parts of the East Coast relative to the district's requirements. Mr. J. V. Brown, M.P., introduced the speakers. Mr. C. Ellison, representing the Lost Coast Railway and Development League, pleaded for a vigorous prosecution of the East Coast railway. Mr. A. E. Jull stated that the work could be commenced simultaneously at Napier, Wpiroa, and Gisborne. Mr. R. M. Chadwick asked for a definite assurance that work on the Waikaremoana hydro-electric scheme would be proceeded with, and Mr. N. Beamish said plenty of labour was available for this work. Messrs. W. Oates (Tokwnaru Bay), and A. Sinclair (Wairoa), asked for improved roads. Mr. H. I. Simscn (Hawke's Bay Rivers Board) asked for a £10,000 grant towards flood protection. Mr. Ellison (representative of the Napier Chamber of Commerce) asked for the preservation of native' bush round Waikaremoana.

Mr. S. McLe-mon pressed the claims of the new Napier post office. Mr. R. L. Paterson and Mr. J. H. Edmundson mentioned the desire of business men for telephone lines between Napier and "Wellington and Napier and Taupo respectively. Mr. Barry asked for improved road access for soldier settlers. Representatives of the Hastings Chamber of Commerce (including Mr. fl. M. Campbell, M.P.) put forward reasons for draining Poukawa Lake. The Minister in reply expressed a desire for information, and said the work of the Department must go on in a businesslike way. He could not make definite promises. Numerous works were hampered by the dearth of machinery and material, but the outlook was much better, and tire position would be normal in twelve months. He preferred the contract system in public works. The Government's •policy was quick development. Waikaremoana was the simplest scheme, and it would be 1 completed perhaps sooner than Mangahao. The Minister said he realised the impo-iance of a good road between Napier and Gisborne, and the road would ue finished as soon as possible. He promised a report on the flood question and support in preserving native bush. The public buildings policy was as already reported in Auckland. Telephone extension depended on material. MINISTER VISITS WAIROA. * REPLIES TO DEPUTATIONS. [BY TKLSGitAPH.—PRESS ASSOCIATION.] WAIROA (H. 8.). Monday. The Hon. J. G. Coates arrived at Wairoa last night from Napier. He held a consultation with Mr. John Mayor, chairman of the Harbour Board, regarding the Waikokopu harbour and railway matters. This morning he met a number of deputations. Various matters concerning the new harbour, railways, and hydroelectric power were fully discussed. Mr. Coates, in reply, said he was. visiting the district to find out its requirements. He had decided to proceed witr the Waikaremoana hydro-electric schema immediately. The Waikokopu railway had (ready been started. II: would push it on expeditiously. The East Coast railway was also being hastened. The Ministerial party left at 11.30 a.m. for Gisborne. The roads are in bad order, and the party expect to make the journey in a wool waggon' for part of the distance.