The Ministerial Visit.

Thames Star, Volume XXXIX, Issue 9879, 26 February 1901, Page 4

The Ministerial Visit.

In connection with the visit of the Hons. Thos. Duncan and Jas. McGowan to the Piako yesterday, the party loft* Shcrtland ab 10 a.m. and proceeded to the Piako river. A stoppage was made at Mr McWilliam's place, where the Minister of Lands and the officials went ashore in order, to inspect the swamp there. The depth of soil was tested with rods prepared for the pur-^ pose. Rich soil was found to a consider' able depth: The journey was then resumed until Keripahi was reached, and all landed. The native band played the Ministerial party to the pah. The Ministers were received by Puhata and Tira, who recited the usual Maori welcome, "Haire mail Hare mai!" Puhata in his address referred to the grief of the natives at the loss of the Great Queen, their white mother, and concluded by expressing his pleasure at a visit of the Minister of the Crown. Hon. Mr Duncan in reply said it gave him very great pleasure to visit such*an interesting district, and he was extremely pleased to see with what feelings of loyalty the natives' regarded the great Queen, who had lately ruled the British Empire. He concluded his remarks by thanking,the natives for their hearty reception, and trusted it wold not be long before ho visited their district again. The Hon. Mr McGowan also spoke, saying that although he had lived very near them for a „ great number of years this was the ffrst opportunity he had had of visiting their settlement. He was very pleased that his colleague (the Minister fo(r Lands) had. been able to comply with his request ta visit their district and he trusted good would result therefrom. He highly commended thedr expressions of regret for the loss of their late Sovereign, who had ruled the Empire so long and so wisely. Captain Mair acted as interpreter, and gave great satisfaction to the Natives and Europeans alike. During the Ministerial visit the necessity for the erection of a Native School at the settlement was brought under the notice of the Minister for Mines, who promised to represent the matter in the proper quarter.

'.•, When the business was concluded the party were played back to the Patiki by the band, and shortly afterwards left for the upper reaches of the river in the Alert, returning about 5 p. in. Having proceeded in the Alert about 8 miles, further up the river, the partylanded. The part of the block known as the "swamp" was inspected. Much to the surprise of all there was little to indicate a swamp, for notwithstanding the.rains of the pasb 'few days there was no difficulty Ih walking dry shod all #ver the vast area. The rods were again used, and sc4is t>ottom was found in from 4 to 6 feet, a bottom similar to that of the river. It was stated by those acquainted with such lands that after drainage not more than 12 to 18 inches- of a sinkage would result. The swamp is not covered by raupo, nor titreo, but but by a kind of rush or grass, and i» altogether different from the deep peat swamps. The area of land owned by' the Government is near 40,000 acres, of which the swamp covers in the very highest freshes in the river about 20.000' acres, but under ordin-

ary circumstances, not more- than 10,000 acres may be called swamp. It is estir mated that a main drain, of say 7 miles, would take all the water of the swamp. Although the Hon. Mr Duncan did not express his opinion, it is undatstood he is favorably impressed with the district. • J.. „. Tho party left Kerepehi about 6 and arrived at the Goods wharf at 10 without

mishap. Upon the arrival of the Patiki Mr Thomas Dunlop, on behalf of the County Council, expressed the pleasure it afforded him and the other members of the' Council at the opportunity of welcoming to the district the Minister oif Lands, the Hon. T. Duncan. ' The district, he was sure, freely appreciated the honor of the visit, and they trusted that the Minister would return with the conviction that the district was one that was worthy of attention. The Minister had that day been shown a portion of the district entirely new to him, and he trusted that the Hon. Mr Duncan, was so impressed with the possibilities of the" district that the impressions so gained would result in the throwing open the land for settlement purposes, within a reasonable time. The settlement of such a district -had a, distinct} advantage in that it was in touch with and closely allied to the Thames, district as it was well known that land

for settlement in any way connected with a mining district possessed an additional value for the resison that in times 1 of depression and consequence slackness of work the miners had the opportunity pre sented them of taking up.and occupying the land, and.thus providing .for their wives and children. He thanked the Minister of Lands for ■ having honored -the district .with "a visit, and trusted that the arrangements made met with the Hon. T. Duncan's approval.. . .

In reply' the' Minister for Lands expressed .his satisfaction, ut and Ml appreciation of the e'ffotts of the Chairman of the County Council and the other mem bers for the arrangements- made. He was '■ distinctly arid favonibly impressed With the district, and he expressed the opinion that it possessed possibilities of a great future. He promised to do his best in the interests of the district, and concluded by again thanking the County Council for the excellent arrangements made.