MINISTERIAL VISIT.

Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 78, 9 April 1901, Page 3

MINISTERIAL VISIT.

The Minister of Lands (Hon. Mr Duncan) and the Hon. J. Carroll arrived at Gison Sunday night, having come overland via Nuhaka, Mr Duncan admits that the trip was an eye-opener to him. He found that there was a largo area of good land undeveloped. Asked as to where the blame should be placed, he said that he thought it should be divided. He said he quite recognised the necessity for good roads, but that it was a most expensive thing to road a country where there was such a long stretch without metal. Mr Duncan was very eager to go to the Motu if ho could manage it by Wednesday, but that was deemed out of the question. He has, however, arranged for Mr Bartholomew, a man of great experience, to make a report on the timber. DEPUTATION. Last evening the Minister for Lands was waited on by His AYorship the Mayor (Mr Townley) and Messrs Matthews, JexBlake, Pettie, AVhinray, Hepburn, T. Fraser, R. M. Bivrell, a joint deputation representing the Borough and County Councils, Harbor Board, and Chamber of Commerce. Mr Carroll, member for the district, was also present. The Mayor introduced the deputation, and explained that to save time it had been made a joint deputation, Mr AVhinray representing the Chamber of Commerce.

Mr Whinray, who stated that the President of the Chamber of Commerce was unavoidably absent, said it had therefore" devolved upon him to bring certain mat, ters before the Minister, to whom he extended a hearty welcome. Then he went on to read a carefully-prepared and elaborate statement showing the needs of the district. He concluded by expressing regret that Mr Duncan would not be able on this occasion to visit the Motn.

The Mayor spoke in support of what Mr Whinray Tiad said, specially referring

to railways and roads. In the ahsenee of the County Chairman, Cr. Jex-Blake represented the County needs, reading the list prepared by the Council and making effective passing comments thereon. Mr Matthews also made an able speech

in support of what Cr J ex-Blake had said, and one strong point he made was that the Government grants came too late, and work that should be done in the summer was left until the winter.

Mr Birrell also emphasised tho remarks made, and with regard to the Government grants expressed a strong opinion that when a grant was made it should not go back to the Exchequer. In regard to the timber question, he said that he understood it was not only confined to the Motu, but that there was an immense belt of it all along the railway route beyond. In reply, Mr Duncan said it gave him very - great pleasure to meet them that evening. Traversing the applications

made, he gave no promise, except that he would do his best to have a fair allocation made when the estimates were being considered. He warmly advised the district to take pattern by Taranaki in regard to the dairy industry. He promised that he would urge the extension of the telephone to such districts as the Motu. A full report of the deputation has had to give way to late cable news.