THE EAST COAST

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLI, Issue XLI, 14 February 1921, Page 5

THE EAST COAST

PARLIAMENTARY TOUR.

ARRIVAL AT ROTORUA:

(BY TELECHAPH—PRESS ASSOCIATION.) ROTORUA, Feb. 13. | The Parliamentary party touring the East Coast arrived here on Saturday evening. They were welcomed by Mr. Hockly, M.P., representing the Rotorua. electorate, Mr. Hill (resident officer) on behalf of the town, and Mr. McLean (president of the Chamber of "Commerce). .■'■■. On Saturday night the visitors were i»oeived by the Maoris at the Whakarewarewa meeting house with hakae and' speeches. Speakers referred to the in-, jurious effect of indiscriminate Crown proclamations locking up native lands suitable for farming purposes, the urgent need of a railway to Taupo, and the need for metalling the main roads,7 that from Rotorna to Waitapu in particular. Messrs Luke, Kellett, Lysnar, and Hockly replied, promising sym-"" pathetic consideration of the requests. Supper was provided in the tea kiosk, and an excellent entertainment of songs, hakas, and poi dances followed. On Sunday morning the party visited the King George Hospital, now containing 156 military and 61 civilian patients,, including children. In the afternoon the party visited the State nursery plantation reserve at Whafearewarewa. Excellent work was being done, and it was pointed out that in

ten years the plantation reserves will supply millable timber, and in twenty years the present area planted will proproduce, under proper treatment, thirty million feet annually, one-tenth of the total timber requirements of the county.