HOW. J, CARROLL’S TOUR

Gisborne Times, Volume XVII, Issue 1414, 27 March 1905, Page 2

HOW. J, CARROLL’S TOUR

THROUGH THE NORTHERN DISTRICT.

A TOUCHING CEREMONY,

DEPUTATIONS ON VARIOUS SUBJECTS. The Hon. J. Carroll, Native Minister, arrived ib Gisborne ou Saturday evening f■ om Opotiki, having taken the train from Kaitaratabi.

When passing Hamilton way he received a deputation on clearing ragwort at To Rnu a-Moa. It appeared that instructions had already been given to have the land oleared, and the Stock Inspector had a large , number of men at work. Mr Carroll promised to bring under the notice of the Minister of Dands the desirability of having the weeds kept down. At Eotorua Mr Carroll was present at the welcoming of the Governor to the district, as already telegraphed. The party drove through by motor ear as far as Te Teko, leaving Eotorua at 9.30 a.m. on the 19th. Mr A. E. Thomas, a member of the Westralian Parliament, went as far as ;Te Teko. From there a buggy wbb taken to Whakatane. They stayed there a night, and then went on to Opotiki.

THE MEMORIAE. Next day they reaohed Maraenui, where the native memorial gathering was held in connection with the deaths by drowning of 16 children and 2 adults, whose names and ages wore as follows Mere Heni, eged 13; Tamahou Waewae, 6 : Kereopa Hape, 10; Waaka Haape, 8 ; Wiremu Henare, 10 ; Makere Henere. 7 ; Mibi Arapeta, 12 ; Paora Arapeta, 5 ; Tu Puke, 13 ; Amokura Puke, 12; Butene , Topi, 9 ; Peeta Topi 7; lawki Arapeta Pita, 8; -Hariata Akuhata, 12; Iritana Mna, 12; Erina Paui, 6; Ani Taramea, 58; Pani Retimana, 34.

An impressive speech was delivered by the Hon JCarroll, who unveiled the memorial, a very handsome one, the work of Mr; J. Bouskill, of\Auckland. ' There ‘were 400 native guests, and a sprinkling of JPahekh friends. Addresses were given by a numbor of representative chiefs, and during the proceedings photographs of, the 16 children were displayed around the stone. The arrangements for tho gatherings were highly creditable to the native organisers. A subscription list was taken up to defray expenses and £203 14s 6d was oollected. Those drowned oomnrised seven girls, nine boys, one man and a woman.

AT OPOTIKI. Mr Carroll was very heartily welcomed at Opotiki. It was pointed out- by representative speakers that he was the first Minister of the Crown who had visited the district for 15 years, and they e&pressed great pleasure in welcoming him amonc them. &

Mr Carroll said that it was a great pleasure to him to have made the visit,and he hoped that'he would be of service to them in having their wants represented. He was waited on by deputations from the Town Hoard, County Council Domain Board, and the Bailway League. first request was that a flood grant of ±SOO should be made towards the Waioeka bridge. Another matter represented was the new road from Motu, which the sur.veyor stated would shorten the distance by 29 miles, of whioh 12 miles had already *een completed. They were anxious to have the road done to drive their stock through to the freezing works at Gisborne Several other local matters were also" represented,- including the widening of the le Whiti-Papamoa road, and Mr Armstrong accompanied Mr Carroll some disto D be B done P ° intod out the work required r-;!?? 0 E ?j lwa , y Ee “Sue urged that the Gisborne Karaka line should be continued to the Motu. and eventually brought Opotiki. One speaker said that the Mam Trunk line should be pushed on first as a colonial work, and that the line from Gisborne through Opotiki should be placed next in importance. The evergreen subject of ragwort was also brought up, fears being expressed that it would spread from Crown and Native lands to lands in cultivation. Mr Carroll, in reply, thanked the deputation for the cordial reception they had extended to him, and expressed pleasure at having an opportunity of meeting them and o. hearing from themselves their rw % f ° r th ° diat “° ts - He recognised that they were considerably handicapped through want of communication with the larger centres, and that in many respects Opotiki very much resembled the district he represented in the way of communication with the principal centres by both land ® e u Q - He always felt and sympathised with these districts in the matter of dis trict requirements—roads and bridge*. Of course, several of the matters that the deputation had brought before him were not immediately under his administration, or under the department of which he had control, hut having noted what the several speakers had said in regard to their respective wants he would direct them to the proper quarters. Begarding the statement respecting the infrequent visits of members of tho Ministry to Opotiki, the Minister said l. was no doubt due to the fact of the district being in such an out-of-the-way position. However, the Hod. Mr HaliJones, Minister for Public Works, would visit the district early next month, and he would probably come through from Gisborne. Concerning the direct road to Gisborne, tho speaker saia that that claim of the deputation was strongly fortified with good reason and sound common-sense Xf the present road could be reduced by 29 miles, and of that distance 12 miles was already made, the benefits that would accrue therefrom would be enormous, and a great boon to either district. He promised to help the deputation all he could in-the matter. In regard to the railway, Mr Carroll agreed with the deputation that it %vould be well to plaoe the main trunk line before that of the Opotiki extension.