THE EAST COAST TOUR

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 120, 14 February 1921, Page 5

THE EAST COAST TOUR

PARLIAMENTARIANS AT ROTORUA.

Vr Telwraph—Pres» A«soo)nt>1»» / Rotorua, February 13. ■ The Parliamentary party touring the East Coast arrived on Saturday evening,

and wore welcomed by Mr. I'. 11. Hockly, representing' the Rotorua electorate, Mr. * Hall (resident officer) on behalf of the town, and Mr. M'Lean (president, of the Chamber of Commerce). The party was motored to various hotels and boarding-' houses, where they were lodged as guests of the proprietors. The party consists of Messrs. Atmore, Kellett, Lysnar, Witty, Sykes, I.uke, Hockly, Glenn, Ngata, Williams, Hawken, Mitchel], Masters, several journalists, and an official photographer. On; Saturday night the visitors were received by the Maoris at Wakarewarewa meeting-house with hakas and speeches. Speakers referred to the injurious effect of indiscriminate Crown proclamations locking up native lands suitable for farming purposes, the urgent need of a railway to Taupo, and the need of metalling the main roads—that from Rotorua to Waiotapu in particular. Messrs. Luke, Kellett, Lysnar, and Hockly replied, promising sympathetic consideration to the requests. Supper was provided in the tea kiosk, and an excellent entertainment, comprising songs, hakas. and poi dances followed. On Suiidayi morning the party visited -the King George Hospital, now containing 156 military and 61 civilian patients, including children. The visitors were shown round by the commandant (Colonel Hogg), the matron (Miss Hodges), and were much impressed with the excellent work done in the vocational workshops, and with the comfort and good results, especially in the infantile paralysis section, now containing 56 children. Major Wallis, in charge of this Department, stressed the need for a hospital for orthopaedic cases not caused by infantile paralysis. .Mr. Masters, on behalf of the visitors, expressed their admiration and appreciation, ; nd Colonel Hogg replied. On Sunday afternoon the party visited the State nursery plantation reserve at Whakarewarewa. being conducted by Mr. Goudie, Chief Forester. Excellent work is being done here. It is pointed out that in ten years the plantation reserves will supply millable timber, and in twenty years the present area planted will produce, under proper treatment, thirty million feet annually—one tenth of the total timber requirements of the country.