THE MINISTER OR PUBLIC WORKS' VISIT.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 594, 26 April 1897, Page 3

THE MINISTER OR PUBLIC WORKS' VISIT.

Tho Hon. W. Hull-Jonos, Minister of Public Work*, accompanied by Messrs Houston (Bay of Islnnds) and Lawry (Auckland), tS.'tt.H.B.., met Mr G, P. Donnelly by appointment at noon on Fridny r6 Kedolyffo, for the purpose of Inquiring into thn damage canaed by the llaoda. Xlio first plncsß visited wero thosa of Metsßiß Shirley and Smith, of Koroklpo, nnd thenco tho party proceeded to Mr KUtow's dairy farm at Wnlma. Tho party then drove to Crlaeopo for luncheon, after which a start was raado for tho bridge near Mr Broughton's homeataad at NRapnke, where the country had anffored extensively, *he whole of the fences being carried away. The Minister waa also shown parts of houses that oame down from Ohiti. The Minister 1 * attention was next drawn to the spot where the Ngarnroro had left its old coarse years atjo and broke into the WHo stream, which is now the Ngarnroro. In doing bo Mr Donnelly lrnpreoeed on tho Minister that the embankment a!) Koys 11111 Bhonld be mado a permanent work. This would bo the moana of protecting the railway line and the lower parla of Hastings. Boys Hill was not Tlsited, rs Mr Donglas M'Lean and the Hon. Mr Hall Jones had gone over the ground the previous day. On I the rebnrn journey the Minister Inspeoted the place where the Tntaekurl hud broken over at Moteo. where the natives were very great Buffers™. This spob would also require an embankment. After personally witnessing the great distress among the natives at Omaha and Nga> nape, tho Minister promised relief, and on Saturday moraing sent out a quantity of provision!) and clothiDg for distribution. Tho party then drovo ronnd Papaknra and Pdkowhnl to Hastings, Mr Donnelly detailed his experiences of 30 yeirs in n&wke's Bay with regard to the tiver Byctem, and held that river conßervatiou wan a moat serious question. He maintained that it conld only be dealt with by those who hnd carefully watobud their progress during the last 30 or 40 years. He aleo impressed on the Minister of Public Works that if the Government wished to do any permanent bsnefib to the low-lying settlers at Clivo, Meanee, and Papakura, it wonld be by providing them with a grant nt a black of Government) land, and assisting the settlers on to it. He thought that a committee! from the settlers should be appointed to scleot a snltible block. Of course there waa a slight difficulty in the way, as there were a certain olasa who preferred staying on the land and having a flood every three years. However, the majority were hard-working and oereevenng, and Mr Donnelly thonght it> was the duly of the Gjvernment to assist that olaas of settlers. At the conclusion of the trip the Minister of Public Works exptesacd himself greatly pleased ad being able to make a pereouul inspection of the whole country, as otherwise he conld have formed no idea of the damage done by the flood. He had now a good insight into too flood area of liawko'e Bay, and tbe whole position would reqniro very careful consideration.