THE MOTUEKA SEAT.

Colonist, Volume LIV, Issue 13261, 11 November 1911, Page 3

THE MOTUEKA SEAT.

HON. R, McKENZIE AT TAPAWERA.

(By Telegraph—Own Correspondent.)

Kohatu, Nov. 10,

The Hon. R. McKcnzie had a very successful meeting at Tapawera on Thursday night, about forty being present. Dr Hudson was in the chair. Tlk> Minister spoke for over an hour and called attention to the fact that ho had taken a leading part in the construction of the railway there and probably, but for him, it never would have been an accomplished fact. rlhe speech was much on the lines of his former ones. A question was asked by Mr. Win. Stevens as to the Government's intentions re l'arapuia, the rep'.y being as already reported. The same gentleman risked if the Opposition report that Now Zealand had to maintain the Dreadnought was correct and was told that there was no maintenance, that bcinjj; the duty of the Imperial Navy. The vessel was to be manned as much as possible by New Zealanders. The same gentleman was informed that no good antidote for blackberries had been brought forward and the bonus offered had boon withdrawn. Mr. George Macmahon asked if there was any bonus for a contrivance to deal with black sand on the West Coast, the reply being that if anyone could hriup; forward a good commercial working invention the Government would be only too pleased to reward and recognise it. He also asked how long the construction of the railway to Murchisoii would take and was informed that it depended on the amount available for the work, but, roughly speaking, it would be about six years. A vote of hearty thanks and confidence in Mr. Mackenzie was proposed by Mr. John Smith and seconded by Mr. Stevens, who said the Minister had represented the Motuoka district very well indeed and in his opinion there was no chance of his being ousted. Many people had vague ideas on the subject of the Parapara but it was going to be satisfactorily dealt with this time. The vote was carried unanimously by acclamation.

Mr. McKenzio will address a meeting at Upper Moutere this evening.