TAURANGA MATTERS

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume XV, Issue 2203, 17 October 1887, Page 2

TAURANGA MATTERS

♦ [FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDED.] Wellington, this day. Messrs Kelly and Haggen waited on Ministers on Friday morning with referenco to mattors to matters af . fecting Tauranga disrict. Mr Mitchelson, Minister of Public Works and Native Affair was the first interviewed. In reference to Thompson's Track, Tauranga-Rotorua Road, Tauranga-Opotiki Road and Te Puke Road he stated at once that there was no use asking for mouey just now for works as a largo deficit had to bo met and the Government did not know whore the money was to come from to meet the liabilities they had to face. They could not borrow on the London market just now nnd woald have to try to raise money in the Colony to ineot present liabilities. He had to go through tho public works estimates and cut down in erery possible direction he had left £1,600 on tho estimates for the Katikati-Te Aroha Road, to be expended over two years, but did not see how he could provide for other roads, although he might be able to do so something when he knew actually how matters stood. In reference to native lands he was determined to do something in the way of opening these up for settlement. Mr Richardson, Minister of Lands and Stock department was next interviewed; he said the Government intended to abolished Land Boards and throw open Crown lauds for settlement on the various systems so that the selector might adopt whichever system was best suited to him. The Government intended offering every facility for the settlement of Crown lands throughout. Wi th regard to the Th erm al S pri ngs Act he thought the wishes of the people in the Thermal district might be met by altering administration of Act, but he was looking into the matter. , In reply to a question whethor he would be willing to give- an Agricultural Society reserves at Judrn Mr Richardson replied that he would bejgilling to do so. regard m) giving the Borough of Tauranga tw balance of Government land in the Borough Mr Richardson said, that it opened a large question and 1 the matter woald require to receive considerable attention in the Cabinet before he could ctig,an answer. "'The Premier was next waited on regarding the bank in the harbour, and said he would see Captain Fair" child about it, if the cost was not too great he would have it done. He sa : d he would do anything he coulddto advance the interests of the district. Mr Haggen saw the Co missioner of of the Insurance Department regarding the required loan for tho Borough of Tauranga under amended conditions. The Commissioner advised that the proposed conditions be forwarded by Council for consideration to the Board. Mr Haggen also waited on Sir G. Grey with the view of urging on him the desirability of the Bay of Plenty as a field for the proposed pensioners settlement. SirGeoge Grey expressed himself highly pleased with the district as a field for the purpose with a fine climate and harbour and promised to do what he could to further the matter. He had bee n to see the Premier about tlio matter which wai now in the hands of the Government.