ADVANCE EAST COAST.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXVI, Issue 8419, 19 January 1899, Page 3

ADVANCE EAST COAST.

TOWNSHIP SITES SELECTED.

The Hon. J. Carroll returned to town las 1 night from a trip to the East Coast, |j whither he went in company with Mr S. „ Percy Smith, Surveyor-General, and Mi rl Llewellyn Smith, district surveyor, r The party first visited Whnngara, and c thoroughly inspected the block with a view to settling a dispute which had arisen as to its value between the departmental officers and the Receiver. It is likely that a settlement will be come to, and the land purchased by the Government. Mr Carroll and part}' proceeded on to Tolago, and made that the stopping place on the first night of their journey. Next day they went to Tokomaru, and the Surveyor-General was given a good opportunity of understanding the necessities of the East Coast in regard to roads. At Tokomaru a meeting with the Natives was held, when arrangements were made with them to take 100 acres for a township. The township will be located in the vicinity of the post office, the site of which is included in the area to be taken. A surveyor will be tent up as soon as possible to lay off the township, and it will be speedily thrown open for selection. The settlers of Tokomaru discussed local matters with Mr Carroll, and urged various road improvements, increased accommodation at the post and telephone office, and better landing facilities. They asked the Government to send a man from the Torpedo Corps to blow up a couple of rocks at the Boat Harbor, so as to facilitate working the harbor with boats. The Minister replied that he would attend to their wants and see that something was clone. The party proceeded to the Hot Springs, between Tokomaru and Waipiro, and spent a day there. The springs are at present in charge of Mr avid Mrs Gordon, who have control of a good bath which they have made. Mr Carroll explained that it would be necesary for the Government to execute considerable improvements at tliesespnngs, which are very extensive and capable of development into a fine sanatorium. The township site has been laid off, and the plaus are now, according to law, being exhibited for two months. The sections will then be offered to the public for selection. It is the intention of Mr Carroll to get the Government reserve fenced in and planted with trees and shrubs, and the grounds generally beautified and made attractive. At Waipiro a meeting was held with the natives for a similar purpose to that for which the meeting at Tolcomarn was held, namely, to acquire a township site. After a long discussion the natives agreed to let 500 acres be taken for a township under the Native Townships' Act, the site to take in the present dwellings of Europeans and the landing place. Native cultivations, houses, buildings etc. are to be reserved, and the Government will take over all leases at present in existence so that the present residents shall not he disturbed. The Waipiro settlers also expressed their satisfaction with the state of the -oads in the district, and discussed various matters with Mr Carroll. It was stated that the Waiapu County Council had received a good share of this year's grants and had £500 in hand for the construction of a road from Waipiro to the Hot Springs. The survey of this road had been delayed until the site of the township woa definitely settled.

The members of the Waiapu Council represented to Mr Carroll on behalf of the settlers at the northern end of the County the necessity for telephone extension to KawaKawa, Mr Carroll stated that the establishment of a township would be one of the strongest factors in getting a telephone there. Mr Carroll did not proceed on to Kawa Kawawith the Surveyoi -General and Mr Llewellyn Smith, bein^ assured that no difficulty would occur as to the selection of a township at that place. Ho communicated with a native chief who assured him that the natives were agreeable, in fact desirous of a township being made. Mr Percy Smith will probably embark on board the Kia Ora at Kawa Kawa and proceed thence to Auckland.