FAR NORTH TREK

Northern Advocate, 5 February 1926, Page 5

FAR NORTH TREK

MINISTER OF LANDS. COMPREHENSIVE SCOPE. VARIOUS DEPUTATIONS. (Special to “Northern Advocate.”) TO WAX, This Day. Having left Whangarei at 9 o’clock this morning, the Ministerial party touring North met deputations en I route at Hikurangi, Hukereniii and 1 Towai. ’ At the latter place a stop for lunch was made. From there the party went on to Eawakawa and Ohaeawai, where the night will be spent. Tomorrow the party leaves for Kaitaia, via Waipapa and Kaeo (lunch), Mangonui and Kaitaia, the last named a rising town of North Auckland and the centre of a rich and potential district. At Hikurangi a deputation waited on the Minister, asking, the Government to acquire four and a half acres for a water reserve at Wakaturia Point, Whangaruru Harbour. Mr. E. Swann, of Helena Bay, speaking on behalf of the Maoris, said they wanted it for a reserve, and he asked for it on their behalf. Mr. McKay, the present owner, would not sell. There’ was no reserve within 20 miles. It w r as the only place in the vicinity where people could get fresh water. A new wharf was to be opened there within two months. If the Government acquired the area it would be the only freehold in that part of the district! The Hon. A. D, McLeod pointed out that it was not within his department’s scope to attend to the water rights. “Are there any local people on local bodies prepared to contribute towards it?” he asked, “Well, we’ve spent enough there already; it’s tised by visiting launches and yachts,” replied Mr Swann. Mr McLeod: “It is all'a question of what powers my department has. Unless something comes under my administration in the Public Works Act I can’t patch it.” r Mr Swann: “It is my opinion that the only thing to do is to take it under the Public Works Act.” McMcLeod: “I don’t know of any

machinery we’ve got. It’s just as much a matter for the Native Affairs as for the Lands Department. In any ease, nothing can he done before' Parliament meets. Meantime some effort should be made to get into touch with Mr McKay and get him to put a price on. The Government must show some good reason for talcing anything under the Public Works Act. The Government’s trouble is that we- buy these sort of areas and then there is no one to look after them. Subsequently, perhaps, the Whangarei, County Council would contribute. It is up to the people in the district to put their hands in their pockets and give it a start.” Private deputations were taken at Hukerenui. Here a grateful returned soldier settler told the Minister that no other Government in the world bad done so much for returned men. He had to go out to work on roads, etc., but kept his place going, and would hang on to it at Tapuhi, awUy out-. back. 1