MINISTERIAL VISIT.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2119, 19 February 1908, Page 3

MINISTERIAL VISIT.

DEPUTATIONS RECEIVED. A Ys.-• r ID ITIIA. DEPUTATIONS. At tin' County Council Chambers yesterday morning, a number of deputations waited on the lion. Air Fowlds to lav a number of local matters before him. The Hon. J. Carroll was also present. RAILWAY LF.AGFF. The Hon. Cant. Tucker introduced a deputation from the Railway League, consisting ol Messrs ,1. Townlov (the -Mayor), C. A. Del.autour. W. L Rees, tY. ,1. P. Gmulin and the speaker. He explained the position to the Minister, ami pointed out that every mile brought increasing returns.

Ibe Mayor said ihey wore glad to have a Minister here resident in tVuekland. If one part urgently reunited a railway iil was this district. They had listened to the clamor for railways north of Auckland ,-but they did not turn their eyes south. We had 20 miles here and in an extremely fertile distr!et. It was started to connect with Rotorua by the route the Government thought best, They urged the necessity for itnore rapid construction •is settlement was greatly increasing and the Hon. Mr MoNab said 'that it was absolutely necessary. Timber had to be imported here and vet we had plenty of it only 10 miles out. If the railway -was constructed to the timber, the freightage would amply repny the cost. Another throe miles had been extended, but what they wanted was much more rapid prosecution to tap the timber areas. The Minister, knowing the Auckland district, would use his best oiulcavore to support our member and the Minister for Public Works when the .matter came up. He also pointed out that the tailway might come .across ,metal which was urgently needed here. With all our drawbacks we hold a prominent position in t!ho exports of the Dominion and lie hoped for a much larger grant. There was a report about diverting the line .through Taliora which the Minister might hear, but this was incorrect. Mr. C. A. DeLautour emphasised the Mayor’s remarks. The railway way sanctioned in October 1899 and it was now on the statutes as the Gisborne Rotorua milway. At the same rate of progress it would take SO years to reach Rotorua, and even to Alohi, a nearer objective, would take nearly 20 years. Up to the present time Gisborne stood alone in being the exponent for the lino and Auckland had been alike Minded as to the benefits of the south. Air AleNTib put it admirably when he said that the railway would mean the 'annexation of a new province. They were anxious that Auckland should help in this matter hud if Auckland would recognise that this railway would be for the common interest, wo would be set free to develop our own country. In regard to the reported diversion, extra side lines were needed and he hoped the Minister would ask the people of Auckland for their assistance. Last year £2o,Ul>() was authorised. Probably that would be taken up by past anticipations ami the amount unappropriated was £210,000. If £20,000 was put into the work a light push would be put, into it and be asked tiutt at least £75,000 he appropriated for a ten mile section, and private enterprise with temporary trains Would bring timber in. Public men in Auckland had urged delay ou this work. Deputations from here would do- anything to put ;the_ matter before the people and this lino would make the Nor Hi Island to a large extent. Air AY. L. 'llees said that the feeling previously expressed was tthe feeling of the community. Here there w,as a country third in .the export of wool iand it was rapidly going up in the scale 'and within 20 years he believed that Gisborne would be the fifth place in the Dominion and it had had no assistance and it had taken nine years to build 20 miles of railway. 'The line mid a handsome interest on the amount invested and it was a shame that £-10,000 wassent to other places for timber and more than tha-t- was burnt every year. Tljit„he pointed out, was not -publicpolicy. An addition of the fine would allow private enterprise to tap the timber and they ventured to think that the Cabinet would give a considerable help.

Mr AY. J. P. Ganelin. said he felt confident that this line would do a great deal to help Auekb.ind and it would open up a great quantity ol Crown land. The Hon. Air Carroll said that the League had continually urged the work and rendered valuable assistance as to statistics and it was a strong desire to have this hue placed in the front rank of the railway works of the country. Their hopes were strengthening every day mid recently the Auckland people were turning -their .eyes in this direction. The huge expenditure on the Main 'Trunk would’release a large sum for expenditure on other lines, and if it ,would be realised that this line was next in importance, something would be done. So far. the surveys were settled by the authorities so that it would not offer any delay. The line would he opened to the AVillows crossing (inside of throe months and .authority had been issued for a turtlier section, and once they got to ,O'Neill 'road it was an easy journey to the Motii. The results would be invaluable to this district; if tliev could get to Mot it without delay, the sooner they would touch the vast timber areas, and conveniences would be provided for our back block settlers and everything pointed to the strong necessitv for pushing the work on. There had been delays owing to the country. They had not the whole attention of the country drawn 'to them, but this was different now, mid lie thought the prospects better now than ever. ...... The Minister, in reply, said that no wus pleased to he here, tins being the first time he had been here., although he realised the importance of tlm place. Years ago a good deal of attention was given by Auckland people to connection tins way. Auckland had been isolated, and they Imd 'not had .the attention on too pain o. th" different ■Governments nt>Die •Dominion its importance demanded. Now there were over ohooo people north of Auckland, and they had .Tone there in the hope pi being brought within touch of civilisation, but hopes were not realised, and Auckland people saw their peed more. Ju Inter years the desire lot connection with other parts caused the energy thrown on the Mam Trunk line, and he thought "hen this was considered that there was .. .rood deal of excuse tor the 'people ;,rAuckland. Their circumstances had been unfortunate for pressing Governments. Tho people tar nor.li saw no bone of the railway coming «» them, .and’ their efforts were directed to their own roads and bridges, and Gisborne did not greatly help Auckland with its lines, but the time had arrived when the people were recognisin'l, the .inequality of the expenditure on railways. For every pound spout in Auckland over £2 had been spent in Otago and south. I his had been revealed to the southern people, and they were getting withm re'ieh of tho completion.of the Mam Flunk lino, and this year should comp ete it. and when that was done he -had no hesitation in saying that -he next work in importance was the Gis-borm-Rotorua railway and.the ea no projected line which was capable of conferring so great a benefit on the country as this line in bringing a rich and fertile district like this within reach of the largo centres. That view would bo tho view ot t < people, but -it the same tine tin. North Auckland must not be overlooked. (Hear.* hear.) must ho done to prosecute that lint with reasonable speed but be hoped that the programme- sketched by speakers would-be attained. I \ o G.s borne people had reason to be gl.ul ’to ilave shell an influential represenve as the Hon. Air. Carroll. It was a surprise when this railway was Started, because the people did not started, u f t- p; s country. Tho s™',. q,.otA l,y a» H»» ( . CUMJ.* Tucker were shindy marvellous that tho revenue for 20 miles should be o qAf» oiiiT every dine should cn-

increasing the expenditure. His interest in itilio line as an Auckland -representative was very strong, and he .would give this national work -all the assistance he could. The Mayor thanked the Minister for his hearty appreciation of the .work. They were g-lad to have throe Ministers express the same views, and ■with these three -Hie line should go on nt -a rate that would astonish them. The next ten miles should bo completed in a vein-. AIIT/LTOWN SCHOOL. A deputation of Alilltown residents also waited on the .Minister in 'reference to a school in that district. Air. G. K. I’asloy was the first speaker, lie said that a section had been purchased. The place had been growing .rapidly, and ho hoped the Alinistor would bo able to go up and view it. Air. AY. J. l\ Gaudin endorsed the petition. They were two miles from the Gisborne school, and settlement had been growing at a very rapid rate. The Alinistor said it- was very natural that people tTiere should dof.iro a bpt as Alinistor of Education ho had to consider the claims of the whole Dominion, and the money placed -at bis disposal was insufficient, and it- would bo wrong to expend money for 'buildings whore the children iiad to go a mile or two, as in some places they had to go much further. 'The Education Board acted wisely in acquiring the silo. It would be unwise to put up more than a side school. The Alangapapa people hail -boon crying out tor additions, and it this request was granted it would still further empty flic main school. A side school should bo the most tlii.it ought to be done for several years to come. Anywhere up Iq two miles was not an unreasonable distance.

Air. Gaudin pointed out that some from the Freezing Works would have to go four miles. The Alinistor said that they must not rush into expenditure! while there was ..room in 'the main school, and ho could not face the expenditure of building another school so close to the Gisborne school, where there was room. If they built a full school there, the Board would have the same trouble as at Alangapapa, and bo could see no prospect of giving money for some time. A NATIVE (SCHOOL.

Air. Tlios. A. Coleman, on behalf of the Natives at To Reinga, asked for a Native school there. There would ,bo no expenditure for a building, and the nearest was seven miles away, si Tiiviroto, and Iho Nat ives were very desirous for the school. The road .was very bad indeed. Air. Bright and the 'ALayer spoke -in favor of 'the request. The Alinistor said there were cases where the children walked seven to nine miles, and the average attendance was 83 out- of 100. He would be very glad to have inquiry made into the matter, and see whether their wishes could be granted. THE KAITi-SCHOOL. Air. J. W. Ilright, chairman of the Kaiti' School Committee, -asked that the Aliuister visit the school. They laid no complaints, but they "would like the Aliuister to see the school. SCENIC RESERVES. The Mayor said that the Scenic Commissioners visited the W-a-ihi-rere quarry, and he asked the Alin:s--ter to 'look into -the matter of securing the reserve. The Commissioners took no action because it was believed to be borough prperty, but 0-w----in to a 11aw the borough had no control. 1 The Aliuister said that in Auckland the Government agreed to find half the money if the ether half was found. The Alayor said that no doubt this would be agreed. BEACH RESERVE. The Alayor -also spoke about the beach reserve of S acres. A formal application had been sent in, land lie asked the Alinister’s support. AGRICULT URAL EDUCATION. Air. C. A. De Lautour mentioned this matter. The Farmers’ Union of-, fered a grant, and the County Council would also probably assist. With tlio advance of -technical education, practical nvork could be done. The amount of time required for the woodwork class .prohibited this class. if this district and Hawke’s Bay combined, it might be done. Air. Morgan said that the -.High School Board was approached by the Farmers’ Union in the matter. The Hawke’s Bay Board was desirous of introducing the matter, but it hey did not want to drop woodwork. He asked that-the-woodwork and agriculture classses bo worked by the two districts alternately, sis was done now with the cookery ’ and dressmaking classes. The Alinistor said he would be very glad to have this point carefully considered. AVhatever they did they wanted to do well, and both must bo efficient. If it was possible to work it- in, no red-tape would -prevent it. He could see that the .interchange of the teachers was a very important matter.

Air. ATorgan referred rto the position of the Kaitaratah'i school. Some years ago Air. Bolton saw there was a necessity for a school there. He built a school which the Board recognised, and paid him salary. The building 'belongs to Air. Bolton, and he claims rent, or that the Board buy the property. The Board did not admit responsibility. The 'Hon. J. Carroll said that the Department, through not being formally consulted, had refused the request. Settlement had grown, and there was a great need for the school, and Air. Bolton erected one. Air. Bolton had been a kind of pioneer in the matter of education, and his claims deserved consideration, ashe luul done valuable work. He asked -Air. Fowlds to look 'into the matter. He would have an opportunity of seeing the school and the distances from otherschools. Air. Bolton said he had done it before, and the Department had paid him accordingly. THE MINISTER AT Pi ll A.

After tho deputations, .the'Minister of Education,' accompanied by the Hon. J- Carroll, the Hon. Clip tain Tucker,' the Mayor, and a number of townspeople, proceeded to Puha by a special train. ‘On arrival at Puha, Mr. Spence brought the maitter of a school under the Minister's attention, pointing out tho dangers of tho Olilf Road. Ho puked Mr. Fowlds to visit tho sito and pick up the train at To Karaka. This’course was adopted, and the 'Minister and some of tho party drove through Puha and To Karaka in two buggies, one driven by Air. W. D. S. McDonald and .the-other by Mr. Silence. At To Karaka, tho school was visited, and tho -Minister gave the scholars a few words of encouragement and advice. Tho party then drove to the station, and returned to' town, arriving at T. 15. The Minister looked into the question or u school for Puha, and said that if the residents found hall the cost of the site, the matter would be favorably considered. , . . It seems very likely that this course will be adopted. THE STATE OF THE COUNTRY. Seen from the tram, a decided im.provement on the outlook for itlit Hut country was observable. The effects of the late rains were very noticeable, and all .the way to Puliu the color ot the grass was much more in the direction of green Than ,it has been for a long while. At Ormond, particularly,'"seme very line green paddocks were seen, and good Iced was not at all scarce. *Puha looked very prosperous. mid it was seen that two houses -and a large stable wore m course of erection. There was also good feed .at Puha. Vs to maize crops, they were to lie seen all along the line, but on account of the dry weather, the- "tu c not looking very well. Some large crops -it Makauri looked very promising, bntjsomeiat Puha were very tall but .ill-nourished, and piobnbh tlit rain eame rntlior kite ON THE BAY. . The Minister was taken out in the Bav on the Harbor Board launch yesterday afternoon, visiting the site tm the proposed outer harbor, after which the launch went up the AAmmn.ta River. Tho Minister expressed himself that the harbor would prove a success when carried out. The Minister leaves this morning on his trip to the Coast districts,