MINISTER'S BUSY DAY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22320, 18 January 1936, Page 14

MINISTER'S BUSY DAY

SCORES OF DEPUTATIONS WAIMARINO ELECTORATE MR. LANGSTONE PAYS VISIT [BV TELEGRAPH —OWN COBKESI'ONDKNT] TAUMARUNUI. Friday The Minister of Lands, the Hon. F. Langstone, paid his first official visit to his own electorate to-day, accompanied by Mr. W. Robertson, Under-Secre-tary of Lands, and Mr. F. Waters, commissioner of Crown lands at New Plymouth.

The party motored this morning to Waimiha. where several deputations, mostly of a private nature, were heard. This afternoon the Minister returned to Tauinarunui and met a phenomenal number of deputations, the building and street being filled with settlers and local body members from all parts of the district. Prior to receiving the deputations the Minister was given a civic welcome by the deputy-mayor, Mr. E. Manngh.

Members of tho Taumarunui Borough Council requested the removal of the willows in the Wanganui River, where they aro endangering property in flood time. The borough has spent £6OOO in protective works, but the removal of the willows is beyond its resources. The Minister promised to consult with the Minister of Public Works. In response to another deputation the Minister said he would consult with the Valuer-Gen-eral regarding the revaluation of the borough.

Another deputation approached the Minister in regard to a petition asking for a referendum on licensing in tho King Country, Mr. Langstone replying that he would inform the petitioners in good time when the petition went to the committee.

Local body representatives urged the early completion of the TaumarunuiTokaanti Road. It was claimed that the road would give access to much valuable land and would also place Tokaanu within recall of the Taumarunui Hospital. Recently a girl had died in the hospital and the medical superintendent had said that her death was due to delay in getting her from Tokaanu to Taumarunui over the present long route. Mr. Langstone promised to consult the Ministers concerned in this area. He had traversed the route of the road through the bush on foot three years ago and was conversant with the country, which had wonderful possibilities. . . Deputations regarding roads and bridges in the district also waited on the Minister, while there were besides 30 to 40 private deputations. Mr. Langstone left for Wellington after being entertained at a social at Manunui this evening.

MR. ERASER AT DANNEVIRKE

REQUIREMENTS OF HIGH SCHOOL [BY TELEGRAPH —PR ESS ASSOCIATION'] DANNEVIRKE, Friday The Minister of Education, the Hon. P. Fraser, arrived at Dannevirke this afternoon, concluding his Hawke s Baj tour. He was welcomed at an informal function by the Mayor, Mr. E. Gibbard. Afterward the Minister received a deputation from the High School Board, which placed before him several requirements. _ After visiting the hosiptal the Minister proceeded south on his return to Wellington.