NEEDS OF THE NORTH.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19235, 26 January 1926, Page 10

NEEDS OF THE NORTH.

DEPUTATIONS TO MINISTER. HON. G, J. ANDERSON'S TOUR. WHANG ARE! WATER MAIN. [BY TELEGRAPH. OWN CORRESPONDENTS.] WHANGAHEI. Monday. . The Hon. G. J. Anderson, Minister of Labour, Mines and Marine, accompanied by Mr. G. C. Godfrey, secretary of the Marino Department, arrived in Whangarei last .evening. They inspected some oyster beds at Parua Bay which interested natives desire to have reserved for the Maori people. The Minister promised that he would go fully into the matter. If it was agreed to declare the reservation it would be necessary to consider what regulations would have to be drafted. Upon his return to Whangarei the Minister was met by several deputations. The history of the negotiations between the Whangarei Borough Council and the Harbour Board and Marine Department in regard to the proposal to permanently close the swinging span in the Victoria Bridge was outlined bv'the Mayor, who said it was desired to obtain the authority, in order to facilitate maintenance of the water pipes across the river. Attempts to put the pipes along the bed of the river had been unsuccessful, and an alternative of utilising flexible joints had been adversely commented upon by experts. After discussing the rights of people who have used the bridge,, the Minister replied that if it was in the interests of Whangarei to have the bridge span closed they must shoulder any possible burden in connection with it. Provided Mr. Godfrey had no objection to the proposal the department would raise none, conditional upon the department being indemnified by the Borough Council. Owing to his duties necessitating frequent visits to other districts the inspector of machinery stationed at Whangarei is hard to get in touch with. Mr. A. R. Crane, on behalf of the Chamber of Commerce, asked the Minister that a cadet be appointecfto the office. The Minister declined to accede to the request on the ground that it was not a business proposition so long as the examination of machinery was being done satisfactorily in the North under the existing arrangements.

Upon representations by the Mayor, the Minister agreed to convey to the Hon. J. 0. Rolleston a request that he consider acquiring the district office buildings in Whangarei from the Railway Department for conversion into a courthouse. The building had been occupied for three months only, and had been vacated when the railway service was . reorganised. Objection to the site had been raised on account' of its nearness to the railway line, but the Mayor said he believed a suitable exchange could be effected. Mr. Holnes differentiated between the council's view that the building should be used- as a courthouse instead of the existing one, and the contention of the Chamber of Commerce that it should bo used as a Supreme Court. The Minister undertook to place the data given him before his colleague. In the afternoon -the Ministerial party proceeded to Hikurangi, where an inspection was made of a number of slacks erected by the miners. The visit followed upon notice given to the coalmining companies somo months ago calling upoiVthem to make better provision- to house their employees. The"Minister stated'that "as a result of his inspection he would take tho matter up again.

Accompanied by Mr. Allen Bell, M.P., the party proceeded to Russell, where deputations are to be received regarding the controversy in connection -With a site for a new wharf. The Minister will return to Wellington by rail on Wednesday.