MINISTERS ON TOUR.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXXI, Issue LXII, 16 May 1912, Page 5

MINISTERS ON TOUR.

A VISIT TO GISBORNE. GISBORNE, May 15. The Prime Minister and Mr W. D. S. Mac Donald (Minister of Public AA forks) spent a busy day receiving deputations, paying visits, and attending various functions. Mr J R Bright, chairman of the Chamber of Commerce, on behalf of the Chamber, urged the pushing on of the railway to Motu. He also urged the proper housing of different public departments, and advocated the establishment of an experimental State farm in the district. He pointed out that Poverty Bay was somewliat isolated, and that the sons of farmers did not have the same opportunity regarding State agricultural education as in other centres. Other minor matters were also mentioned. Sir James Carroll referred to the junction of the Napier railway with the Gisborne-Auckland line, and introduced Mr Coleman, who presented a petition in favor of an alternative route by Makaraka. Mr J. Pickover brought up the case of Mrs Lee, the Taranaki heroine, and wanted.to know if the Government could do anything for "her, as she was in poor circumstances. Mr Mackenzie said that they could take it that the Motu railway would be pushed on by the Minister for Public AVorks with all expedition. In connection with the experimental farm, the Government would have to. do something for the South Island first, as six such farms existed in the North Island, and none in the South Island. Regarding Mrs Lee, the matter had been before the Cabinet, which had referred it to General Godlev, to see what could be done, and whether there was any provision under his control that coiild be extended to meet the case. If this could not be done, the Cabinet would con sider some other way.' Mr Mac Donald said that tenders would be called for public building in three weeks' time. The re-survey of the junction of tke Napier line had been practically completed, and if this was in favor of the Maka'aka route no doubt it would be adopted.