MINISTER OF PUBLIC WORKS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10194, 22 March 1911, Page 5

MINISTER OF PUBLIC WORKS.

HIS MOVEMENTS *N THE . : ' ;

[By Telegraph—Press Association."]

QISBORNE, Last Night

The Hon. R. McKeiizie, who ' is visiting the' East Coast north of Gisborne, was at Waipiro yesterday. He paid a visit of inspection to the Waiapu Hospital, where everything was found to be most satisfactory. A from .the Waiapu County Council waited on the Minis-' ter regarding the wants of the district. Special mention was made of a bridge over the Waiapu river,; and the construction of a road through the Native land... The deputation also asked the Minister if there was any possibility of getting a reduc-, tion in the duty on steel, for which they had liad to pay heavily, for bridge construction. In reply, the Minister said he would advise, the deputation' not to proceed with the road through the Native, lands until permission had been obtained, a« they might be stopped. He considrered that "Native lands should be loaded for roads, or else the owners pay a rate. The Minister expressed himself as greatly pleased with the district, but he considered it should be carrying fifty times as many settlers. He advised the deputation to get Mr Carroll Acting Premier, and »-r J. G. Ward to visit the district. In regard to the duty on steel, he advised the deputation to do as the Government did—import the raw material, and wox-k it up, as the duty Avas only on the finished article. Mr McKenme returns by the steamer from Tokomaru to-morrow evening, when he will be entertained by the Chamber of Commerce. He is leaving on Thursday, and will travel overland to Wainja and Napier. The present occasion is the first time the Ministor has visited the Coast directjy north of Gisborne. To-night the Minister, willbe■ entertained ; at din-' rier' bv Mr K. C. Williams.•• •■ "'".-,,'