VISIT TO MOTUEKA.

Colonist, Volume LVIII, Issue 14260, 15 November 1916, Page 12 (Supplement)

VISIT TO MOTUEKA.

(From "The Colonist," Nov. 1.) The Minister of Education (Hon. J. A. Hanan), in company with Messrs G. H. Gothard (chairman) and W. C. Baigent? of the Nelson Education Board, visited _ Motueka yesterday in connection with educational matters affecting the district. The party was on arrival met by Mr R. P. Hudson, M.P. the Mayor (Mr J. A. Wallace), Mr H. Everett (chairman of the Waimea County Council), several of the coxmcillors, and the members of the local School Committee. The visitors were the guests of the Mayor at luncheon at the Post Office Hotel. In the afternoon the party visited the local school, and the Minister gave a stirring address to the pupils. He was afterwards motored to Riwaka, where the School Committee pointed out the necessity of increasing the existing accommodation. It was represented that the average attendance was now 105 —considerably in excess of the available room—and as the population was rapidly increasingj' the committee stressed the necessity of making additions without further delay. Owing to an outbreak of measles amongst^the pupils, the school is at present closed. Mr Hanan expressed himself as being in sympathy with their request. and after inspecting the buildings and discussing with the committee the most suitable location for any additions that might be made, intimated that he would go into the matter on his return to Wellington. The party then inspected the Brooklyn School. Later the Minister was shown over the recently erected cool stores at the new 'wharf.' and also the marble works nearby. The visitors were entertained at afternoon tea at the residence of Mr Hudson, M.P. Before leaving Mr Hanan thanked the member for the district and the Mayor of Motueka for the hospitality that had been extended to him. He expressed himself as very pleased with the fertility of the district and tho prosperity which was evidenced among the settlers. It had been an eye-opener to him, and he thought it most desirable that men in public positions should visit the various parts of the country in order to see the varied resoxirces of the outlying districts. As a result of his visit he said he was prouder than! ever of his native country, apart altogether from its undeniable scenic beauties. What was 'wanted, said the Minister, was closer settlement m order to develop the industries of tho Dominion. In conclusion, he expressed his best wishes for the welfare of the district. Mr Wallace (Mayor), in replying, said they were proud to have the Minister amongst them. From the interest he had evinced during his visit and the beautiful address he gave to the children, Mr Hanan would leave Tbehind him a memorial in tho district, and a splendid standard for them to live up to. He felt that the Minister would from his observations and informatio?i gained that day be able to assist them in further developing the district and its industries by bringing under the notice of his colleagues the undoubted resources ifc possessed. Mr Manoy presented the Minister with some Beautifully polished specimens of marble obtained in tho locality as a memento of his visit.