Visit of the Hon W. P. Reeves, MINISTER OF LABOR.

Opunake Times, Volume II, Issue 76, 26 March 1895, Page 2

Visit of the Hon W. P. Reeves, MINISTER OF LABOR.

—. ■» - - - The Hon W. P. Reeves, accompanied by Mrs Reeves and her sister, the Hon J. Rig?, M.L.C., and Mr H. W. Brabant, S.M., arrived in Opunake on Friday evening on hia journey to New Plymouth. The party travelled by coach, and put up at Mr J. Kennedy's Hotel. ' ** In the evening the Town Board formed a deputation and interviewed him regarding several matters in connection with the town and district.

Mr G. W. Rogers, Chairman of this Board, said the first thing they desired to draw his attention to, although not in his department, was the question of opening up the native lands in the district. Having them in their present state was a very great drawback to the progress of the district, as they contributed nothing to the local revenues, and proved a great hardship to individual settlers who had to do the whole of the fencing between their selections and those of native owners adjoining. Mr Reeves said he would take a note of it, and when he' returned to Wellington he would interview Mr Warburton on the matter.

Mr Rogers said he thought thare was very little use trying to get thes« lands taken up without first opening up the roads leading to them. <^ Mr Reeves said he was aware this" was a bar to selection, but the same cry was raised in nearly every other district in the colony, and the Government were doing all in its power to help settlers. , Mr Rogers asked if there was any probability of getting reserves set aside for harbor purposes. . - • Mr Reeves said he did not know what reserves were available.

Mr D. McGregor said the clerk had a plan of the town district if he would like to see it.

Mr Reeves, after examining the plan, said he would take a note of ihe matter, and place it before his colleagues. Mr Rogers introduced the matter of assistance to the jetty, and urged the aid it would be to settlement of the lands in the district if it were reerected.

Mr Reeves said he could not promise any assistance, but was pleased to have the information, and would consult his colleagues when he returned to Wellington aud see what could be done in the matter. ..

Mr Rogers pointed out the unsatisfactory state of the law with regard, to rates on and fencing in of native lands.

Mr Reeves said the Govermneai recognised that this was a great hardship, and that last session an Act had been passed with a view to making native lands liable in these respecti. He promised to give fall consideration to the several matters which had beejt brought before him. The deputation thanked him for his attention and withdrew.

OPUNAKE JETTY, . A deputation consisting of MeflSM Lambie, Forsyth, Stevenson and Jlc» Keown waited on him later on re tht jetty. ... . ••: Mr Lambie detailed the oircunistances of the case and said he considered they had been very badly treated by the Government. He considered under the circumstances that the Government was morally, if not legally bound to assist in the restoration of the jetty. Mr Beeves admitted it was * hard case, but it was not one in which he or any other Minister could undertake to spend any particular sum, as money for such a purpose could only be voted by the House. He would, however, see , his colleagues in the matter when be got to Wellington and consult themas to the best course to adopt. He did not wish them to think that this was any evasion on his part as he could assure them it was his intention tcT give the matter lais earnest attention.

Mr McKeown, Chairman of the Waimate Road Board, related what steps his Board had taken with regard to testing the liability of th&Publib Trustee for rates on native lands.''

Mr Reeves said it appeared to him a very simple case, and it should not be very expensive or difficult to get a ruling by the Court on the question. The Minister and party left by, the coach for New Plymouth, calling at Parihaka on the way.

PARIHAKA. When the Ministerial party arrived at the turn of the road leading into Parihaka they were met by Te Whetu and a large party of natives who oamo out to meet them and accorded them a welcome. They then proceeded to the settlement and were met on the outskirts by the Maori Brass Band who played them into the village, where there was a large gathering of nativei who heartily welcomed Mr Reeves. Te Whiti was seated on the verandah of his fine house. The party were introduced to him and were welcomed to Parihaka. The party then adjourned to the large meeting house where several of the chiefs delivered addresses. .*.• " '..,•'

Mr Reeves replied, thanking them for the hospitality shown and expressing his pleasure at visiting the place; The visitors were .then invited to the large dining-room where great preparations had been made for their reception. When the party was leaving it was again preceded by .the Maori Band, and played out of the village accompanied by a large crowd-of-natives who seemed very pleased at the notice taken of them and their village by such a distinguished visitor. - A'—'-