MIDNIGHT DEPUTATIONS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18073, 24 April 1922, Page 8

MIDNIGHT DEPUTATIONS

MR. COATES AT HAMILTON.

ROUGH ROADS CAUSE DELAY.

[BS XELEGR.trH.~OWN CORRESPONDENT.]

HAMILTON, Sunday.

The Minister for Public Works, the Hon. J. G. Coates, had a busy day yesterday. After opening the Aria post office he left Te Kuiti by motor-car expecting to arrive at Hamilton at 8.15 p.m. The car broke down and another one had to bo obtained. The roads were in a bad condition, and this, coupled with the fact that the driver took a wrong turning, led to the party not reaching Hamilton until 11.30 p.m.

After a hastily-snatched meal the Minister commenced to receive deputations at midnight. After a private deputation from the Raglan County Council h&d had an interview, the Waipa County Council made a request that in connection with road work in the Newcastle riding the Minister would make a straight-out grant instead of the £1 for £3 subsidy guaranteed. The Minister said ho would seo what he could 'Jo.

The same deputation also urged that the law should be amended in the direction of making loans for machinery extend over the estimated length of life of the machinery instead of over 36 years as at present. The Minister said the suggestion was perfectly sound, and he would consult the Hon. W. Dowiu'e Stewart on the matter.

Mr. J. A. Young, M.P., urged that, in view of the large amount of unemployment in the district the Telegraph Department should be authorised to employ extra men to cope with the demand for telephones. He said he was informed that the department had ample supplies, and that suitable labour could be found if authority was granted. Mr. Coates said that personally lie was in favour of letting all these jobs by contract. He would ascertain how many applications there were for telephones. Various matters were then placed before the Minister by the Central Power Board and the Waikato County Council, and at 1 a.m. Mr. Coates received another private deputation. The Minister left for Tauransa by motor-car to-day to inspect* the railway works. On Wednesday lie will go to Paeroa and will return to Wellington on Thursday.