A PROGRESSIVE.

Gisborne Times, Volume IX, Issue 867, 17 April 1903, Page 3

A PROGRESSIVE.

“ E.M.D.” thus concludes her No. 1! article on progressive districts around Poverty Bay : Hopes of railway communication between Gisborne and Napier have been from time to timo dangled before the settlers on the East Coast, though to anyone studying tho character of the country such hopes must appear unlikely of any except very remote fulfilment. Tho diili* eulty does not lie so much in the country between Gisborno and Wairoa as in that botweeu Wairoa and Napier, which presents great engineering difficulties, An immense improvement is being effected in tho roads, which are receiving Government attention, the bridle-track gradually disappearing before the finished coach road. The course of tho present railway does not appear favorable to a southerly development, a southern branch being more likeiy to be regarded as possible following the new ILmgiu’Oa-Tmu'Oto road, and reaching Gisborne directly from tho west, across' the ilats. It appears much moro likely from the map that the railway will eventually reach Opotiki through the Motu, and joining tho coach road at Whakatano, follow a circuitous course to ltotorua. A continued southerly development is considered not impossible by carrying tho railway from Wairoa to Tarawera, joining the Taupo road, should the difficulties between Gisborno and tho Wairoa ever bo surmounted. Grateful remembrance must ever cling to tho names of thoso pioneers who spoilt their lives, and frequently sacrificed their

all, in the settlement of the East Coast districts. When wo rcliect upon the difficulties they encountered, both from savages, from Nature, and from disputed title, we cannot but render them tho tribute of a sigh, while gratefully acknowledging tile results of their labors. Men such as Sir Donald McLean, Mr Locke, and many others, not to speak of tho early missiouano-, gave the best of their lives to combating the diilicuities of early settlement, compared to which thoso of tho present are but sunshine after rain. Tho whole region, from a baptism of biood and lire, emerges into its present-day tranquility, perhaps tho best monument to those who worked to that end and saw it but a vision afar off. Before taking leave for tho present of this subject of this rising and very interesting district of the North Island of New Zealand, one may remark upon the curious and much-disputed misnomer bestowed upon it by Captain Cook. From time to timo there have been meetings of tho inhabitants to discuss the question of changing tho name to one which might appear more suitable, anti ail kinds of arguments have been used on both sides. Conservative opinions have prevailed, however, and tho district still bears tho name bestowed upon it by its discoverer. Whether or no the name lias militated against progress must remain a matter of opinion, but there cuu be only one mind upon tho fact that very great progress has been made, especially of late”years, in and around tho district of l’overty Bay,