THE HON. MR. BALLANCE IN THE NORTH.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIV, Issue 7863, 4 February 1887, Page 6

THE HON. MR. BALLANCE IN THE NORTH.

Ist telegraph.— CORRESPONDENTS.] Tahkkk, Thursday. AT MOTUKARAKA.

The Hon. Mr. Ballance, accompanied by his private seoretary, Mr. Lundon, Mr. Cochrane, county engineer, and the steward of the village settlements, crossed over from Herd's Point this morning to visit the village settlement at Motukaraka. The Minister at once proceeded to the schoolhouso, where several natives and nearly all the village settlors were assembled. The first part of the meeting was devoted to the Maoris bringing several question* for- ' ward. Alter replying to these, Mr. Ballanoe said he was prepared to hear what the settlers had to say, and to remove, as far as possible, any difficulty under which they were labouring. tie reminded them, bowever, that many of the ditficultiea could only be met and remedied by themselves. A number of matters were then submitted to the Minister, the most important being a request that a village steward might be appointed, who would reside in the county, and thus be able to visit the settlement more frequently than at present, and a request that higher prices might also be given for work on the roads. It was also requested that the settlers should be allowed to t'<tnce under the Fencing Act, and that they should be supplied with tropical fruit trees and seeds.

in reply, the Minister said that the question of the appointment of a resident steward of village settlement would receive his careful consideration, as would also the question of the payment for ro.id work, lhe Government was anxious to pay a fair price, and did not wish to drive a hard bargain with the settlers. It was his intention to have some tropical and fruit trees sent to the settlers as soon as their sections were ready, as ho considered the growth of fruit would in a short tiino be a source oi considerable wealth to both the colony and the people. In conclusion, Mr. Ballanee said that although he fully recognised that the difficulties to be overcome were great, still tney could bo overcome by industry and perseverance, and there was a prospect always before them of obtaining in the near future a state of prosperity under the liberal regulations which had been laid down. Although no doubt many of them had a sentimental desire to become possessed of freehold property, still they had all the advantage of freehold under this system of perpetual lease, as the rent of a shilling an acre was little more than an acknowledgment that tho land belonged to the State. After Mr. Balance had expressed his acknowledgment of the services rendered by Mr. Lundon in applying the regulations to this district, and his wishes lor the prosperity of the settlers, the meeting concluded, and the Minister proceeded ou bis journey to Taheke, calling in at Kohukohu. Both the natives and European settlers at Motukaraka express themselves highly pleased with the visit of the Minister, and the way in which ho had dealt with the matters brought before him.

AT AHEKE

The Hon. Mr. Ballanco arrived at Taheko yesterday afternoon, and had interviews with the natives and village settlers. He left this morning for Kawakawa.

Kawakawa, Thursday.

AT KAWAKAWA.

Mr. Ballance, with Mr. Lewis, secretary, Mr. J. Lundon, and Mr. Kavanagh, village .steward, rode from Taheke to Kaikohe. Passing through the village settlement at Punakitere, Mr. Ballance saw some of the settlers, and enquired respecting their work and holdings. All were found satisfactory. Tbey met Bindon's coach at Kaikoho, and went 23 miles to Kawakawa. They arrived th-re at 3 p.m., and were received by a deputation of welcome from the leading townsfolk. After a brief interval for lunch the public library was placed at Mr. Ballance's disposal to hold his levee. Mr. Clendon introduced the first deputaVon of native chiefs. The ohicf Karatu spoke in reference to the flag station. Mr. Ballance said he considered the request most reasonable, and he would recommend and see if it could not be granted. A second deputation of native chiefs, amongst whom was the M.H.K. for the Bay of Islands, Ibaka te Tai, requested that a native college, such as the one at Napier, be established in the Northern counties.

Mr. Ballanck asked if they would give an endowment for the purpose ? and, if so, their request would be granted, if the endowment was sufficiently large to maintiin the college, as Parliament could not contribute. Ihe chiefs replied thit they would give sufficient land as required. A third deputation, consisting of Marsh Brown and chiefs of Waiomio, asked for the Government to re-open the native school at Waiomio. After a long discussion respecting the closing of the school, the Minister said that if a sufficient number of pupils to attend was guaranteed, the school would be reopened. Mr. Ballance was then shown over the publio buildings and public library, when a few of the principal townsmen presented an address of welcome. Mr. T. P. Moody acted as spokesman, and concluded by stating that the inhabitants of Kawakawa were an exception to the general rule of deputations, in that they had no grievance to redress and no favour to ask.

Mr. Bai lance, in reply, said he was most pleased with hi* visit to Kawakawa, and the kindly expression of welcome. The apparent flourishing condition of the district was a matter of much interest and gratification to him. He was also deeply impressed with the splendid fieid for occupation and settlement in the fine tracts of splendid land he had gone over in the last two or three days. In again thanking the deputation for the kindly welcome, he assured them ho would use his utmost exertions and influence to carry out to the full the scheme of village settlement", as he considered thero was no finer field for it in this or any other county. A special train being in waiting, Mr. Ballance started for Opua, where the Clansman was in waiting for him.