AN ENERGETIC MINISTER.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19001, 25 October 1923, Page 8

AN ENERGETIC MINISTER.

THE HON. J. G. COATES. A SOUTHERN TOUR. (From Oun Own Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, October 24. The Hon. J. G. Coates is energetically working to got a full knowledge of the main problems and details in the Railway _ Department. He has already made a minute study of certain North Island problems, and on Monday, October 29, he will leave on an 18 days’ trip through Canterbury, Westland, and Nelson to inspect the railways and also to deal with certain matters connected with the Public Works Department. This itinerary will be as follows: — October 29, leave Wellington for Christchurch; October 30, Parnassus and Waiau; October 31, Waipara, Rangiora, and Oxford West; November 1. to Timaru, including the inspection of branch lines; November 2. Timaru and on to Christchurch; inspection of lines; November 3, Christchurch; November 4, Christchurch; November 5, Christchurch, Addington, and Lyttelton; November 6, Southbridgo and back to Christchurch ; November 7, to Greymouth ; November 7, Greymouth and the vicinity; November 9, Hokitika and Ross; November 10, Hokitika to Westport; November 11, Westport; November 12, to Nelson; November 13, Nelson and Blenheim; November 14, Blenheim, Wharanui. and Picton; November 15, return to Wellington. On tho way to Greymouth on November 7 the Minister, in company with his departmental officers (Railways and Public Works), will. make inquiries regarding the working of the Otira tunnel. No date has yet been fixed for the handing over of the tunnel section to The Railway Department, but this will be arranged as soon as_ it nnpears that everything in connection with the plant is working satisfactorily. During this tour the Minister will go into the question of the line Inangahua to Westport, and also the works on tho Nelson to Murchison line.