THE HON. R. McNAB.

Waikato Independent, Volume VII, Issue 465, 28 January 1908, Page 5

THE HON. R. McNAB.

VISIT TO RUAKURA. The Hon. R. McNab, Minister of Lands and Agriculture, who journeyed overland from Wellington, via the East Coast and Rotorua, arrived at Hamilton yesterday, and later in the day paid a visit to the Ruakura Experimental Farm. It had been announced that at 3 p.m. the Minister would receive a deputation at the farm regarding the Gisborne-Waikato stock route. A number of representatives of local bodies were in attendance at that ho'iv, including the Mayor of Cambridge (Mr W. F. Buekiand),andMr John Fisher, President of the Waikato Central Agricultural Association, and Chairman of the Waipa County Council, and after some delay, they were informed that the Minister would receive them at Hamilton. A start was about to be made for that town, when another message was received stating that the Minister was coming out to the farm. After a long wait, the Minister, accompanied by Mr H. J. Greenslade, M.P., put in an appearance, and then it was announced that owing to the pressure of correspondence and departmental business, he would be unable to met the deputation until 8 o'clock that night at Hamilton. The representatives from Cambridge then decided to return home. The arrangements did not reflect credit upon those responsible, and naturally caused a good deal of dissatisfaction. Amongst those present at the farm were—Messrs Allan Bell (President of the Hamilton branch of the N.Z. Farmers' Union), J. Barugh (Chairman of the Auckland Fanners' Freezing Co.), J. Gordon (Chairman of Waikato County Council), R. J. Paull and J. A. Young (Hamiltoni, Pohleu (Matamata), Ritchie (Secretary for Agriculture), Clifton (Chief Stock Inspector), Boucher (Government Penologist), Seddon (Inspector of Dairies), Kerr (Stock Department) and Lyons (Veterinary Department). THE GISBORNE-WAIKATO STOCK ROUTE. (Hill PBKSS ASSOCIATION). Hamilton, This Day. A deputation representative of the Hamilton branch of the Farmers' Union, waited on the Hon. Mr McNab, re the Gisbome stock route, via Lake Waikarenioana. The deputation was introduced by Mr Greenslade. Mr Bell pointed out if 18 miles of new road were made and the old road put in order, at a cost of about £2550, it would reduce the cost of transit from Is 6d to 9d, and the time of travel from six weeks to three. He said there was more feed and greater safety for stock on the new route. .-Messrs Young, Pohlen and Barugh supported the speaker. The Minister in a sympathetic reply said that he was aware of the difficulties of the old route, and the advantages of the new one. The matter was in Mr McGowan's department, but as Minister for Agriculture, he would strongly recommend that the work be undertaken, though, of course, he was unable to make a definite promise,