COAST ROAD REPAIRS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22498, 15 August 1936, Page 14

COAST ROAD REPAIRS

POSITION AT THAMES STATEMENT BY MINISTER [BY TEI.KGKAPn —OWN CORK KS PON DENT] THAMES, Friday The question of tho alleged stoppage on the coast road repairs lias been referred by Mr. J. Thorn, M.P., to the Minister of Public Works, the Hon. K. Semple. The allegation was made by a deputation which waited 011 Mr. Thorn at Tapu, and later the secretary of the Tapu branch of the Labour Party made the same allegation. j\Jr. Semple has replied as follows: "I have received your letter enclosing a communication from Mr. L. C. Pender, of Tapu, concerning the dismissal by the Thames County Council of workmen employed on the main highway between Thames and Coromandel. It is noted that Mr. Pender states that the local county councillor had informed him that the Main Highways Board had flatly declined to assist toward the repairing of storm damage along this coast highway. I have conferred with tho chairman of the board, who states that the board has no knowledge of having refused financial assistance to the County Council in this matter. Provision lias been made on the current year's estimates for the expenditure of £1633 between Thames and Waikawau, in addition to the sum of £'225, payable by the County Council, making a total amount available of £IBSB. "The board knows of no reason why the stonewalling and other flood damage repairs cannot be preceded with as soon as tho council has formally obtained the requisite monetary authority. The council is aware of the usual procedure in this connection and if it is anxious to expedite the work and retain the services of men it should immediately communicate with the board's district representative, in care of the Public Works Department at Auckland. Any delay in respect of tho repairing of the damage appears to concern tho Thames County Council rather than tho Main Highways Board."