THE NATIVE MINISTER AT ROTORUA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9030, 17 April 1888, Page 5

THE NATIVE MINISTER AT ROTORUA.

[by telegraph.—-own correspokdknt.] Rotoeua, Monday. On Saturday morning the Native Minister rode out to Wairoa, accompanied by Mr. Malfroy, Crown Agent, and Mr. Mclntosh, Road Engineer, the ostensible object being to decide on the advisability of going on with the necessary repairs to this favourite old road to the Rotomahana Terrace, which

was completely destroyed at the time of the eruption. The Minister thought it would be injudicious to do more to this road further than making it passable for buggies to Tikitapu, as round that lake continual avalanches of volcanic mud would be falling on if. He would give the Road Engineer instructions to prepare an estimate of the probable cost for that distance. The Minister did not return to Ohinemutu till late in the afternoon, and the numerous natives, who had been anxiously waiting all day for his return, literally besieged Lake House, crowding all the lobbies and corridors, each different hapu waiting to disclose its various wants and frievances, to enumerate which would be of ttle interest to the general public. About ten o'clock at night the members of the Rotorua County Council obtained an audience, being introduced by Mr. Kelly, M.H.R. The principal subjects brought forward were—' A continuance of the water supply from the main to the old township ; a better arrangement of the township leases." The Hon. Minister on this head advised those interested to petition the Government, as others had done in many parts of the North Island, to have leaseholds reduced to honest and easy terms. The abolition of the Thermal Act was, ho stated, at present under the consideration of the Government, and an 1 Act would probably be passed this next session for a modification thereof. The bad situation of the cemetery was next spoken of, mention being made of the shocking and harrowing scenes which sometimes occur at burials, such as the coffins floating in water, turning right round, and having to be jumped upon to keep them dov/n whilst filling up the graves. The Hon. Minister wondered if the man was sane who had chosen such a site, and greatly approved of some alteration being made. The awkward dilemma in which the County Council was placed at present was the next theme, Mi-. Kelly stating that this body was nearly powerless as it now stood, working almost in opposition to the Town Board. He wished the position of the Council to bo clearly defined. The Native Minister considered that the County Council would be sufficient to serve all purposes. Other subjects were noted for attention, such as the opening up,by roads of communication between Lakes Rotoiti, Rotorua, and Rotoehu, a shorter and better line of road to Maketu, and the construction of by-roads through the old village, for the convenience of tourists and sight-seers. A petition was presented by Mr. Kelly, from a number of unemployed Europeans desirous of obtaining work. The Minister said that a line of road from the terminus of the Rotorua Railway in the bush at Okohiriki Saddle to the Oxford Road, some five miles, would shortly be open for tenders, when a sum of between two and three thousand pounds would be spent thereon. The deputation then withdrew. Conspicuous amongst others waiting for an interview was the irrepressible Mrs. Ann Robertson, who never loses an opportunity of airing her grievance, but Sydney Taiwhanga was nowhere to be seen. He was evidently waiting for a better chance. Poor Sydney seemed rather crest-fallen that the Minister had come at all, as he had made most of the natives believe that he dare not come if he was present. Early yesterday morning the Hon. Native Minister, Mr. KeUy (M.H.R.), Mr. Lewis (Under-Secretary for Native Affairs), Mr. Brabant (R.M. and Judge of the Native Land Court), Mr. Butler (Land Purchase Commissioner), Mr. Edwards (interpreter), and Mr. Bates (private secretary to Mr. Mitchelson) attended a meeting with the Rotorua natives, held in the native carved council hall here. Sydney Taiwhanga, M.H.R., appeared as the mouthpiece of the natives, and advocated the following measuree : (1) A slight modification of the Thermal Springs Act; (2) the withdrawal of Government from the management of the Rotorua township; (3) the retention with some slight alterations of Mr. Ballance's Native Land Administration Act, and some other minor matters. Mr. Mitchelson intimated in reply that the Thermal Act would probably be modified next session, that the Rotorua township was under the Minister of Lands' control, and that the Native Lands Administration Act of 1886 would probably be one of the subjects to be brought under the consideration of the coming Parliament. Considerable difference of opinion seemed to prevail amongst, the assembled natives. Mr. Mitchelson did not devote any further time to the parties concerned, and left for Taupo immediately after breakfast.