MINISTERIAL VISIT.

Gisborne Times, Volume LIII, Issue 5665, 20 December 1920, Page 4

MINISTERIAL VISIT.

HON. C. J. PARR IN BAY OP PLENTY DISTRICT.

In the course of a chat with a Times reporter. Mr N. Gedye, driver of the Wilkinson Go.’s car which conveyed the Hon. C. J. Parr (Minister of Education) through the Bay of Plenty district, stated that the outward trip had been a most enjoyable one, but rain was experienced on his return to Gisborne.

The road from Gisborne to Motu was in very good order, and after stops en route at various townships and schools the Ministerial party- set out from Motu for Opotiki. This stage of the journey was a non-stop run, and the trip over what is claimed to be one of tlie most beautiful scenic drives in the Southern Hemisphere was accomplished without incident of any kind. Here, again, the road was in excellent condition, the bumpiness common to this stretch being entirely absent, due probably to a large amount of traffic over this route.

At Opotiki the Minister inspected the school and pupils, and proceeded later to Taneatua, where an inspection of the school was followed by a visit to the proposed new school site. Whakatane. about nine miles further on, was the next stop,, and here the cottage hospital and the school were visited; and a new school site was also the subject of attention.

i After lunch at. Whakatane the Min- ! isterial partv set, out for Matata, eighteen miles further along the Tauranga road, and here, as well as at To Puke, the next township to be reached, the local school was inspected. At Te Puke a visit. was also made to the maternity' home, and several deputations were received by Mr Parr. Afternoontea was taken by the party before entering on the last stage of the journey to Tauranga, where the hospital was inspected and several deputations .received. From Opotiki the road travelled over had proved very* rough, and pot-holes made travelling much slower, though the heavy car minimised the effects of the inequalities of the surface to-'a. large degree. .Tlie .■return run from Tauranga to Gisborne was made in heavy rain; and chains were* .used on the wheels of the car oh "the Mere ...Mere hill,' a little to the .Gishoriye side- of Opotiki, and also, .from Matawai Jo the Otoko hill. Although heavy going was experienced between Opotiki and Motu, the run to Gisborne was accomplished without a stop, the. performance under such circumstances being a very creditable one to both, car and driver.