MR MERRIES’ VISIT

Gisborne Times, Volume XXII, Issue 1743, 8 May 1906, Page 2

MR MERRIES’ VISIT

HIS IMPRESSIONS OF THE MOTU

Mr W. H. Herries, member for the Bay of Plenty, and a prominent member of tbs Opposition, arrived from Opotiki yesterday, and received a hearty welcome from his many Gisborno friends. In ths course of conversation with a Timks' representative, Mr Herries said lhat the present was hie first trip overland, and he was more than pleased with what ho bad seen, Ho had no idea that the country between the two places was so rich, whilst the timber resources of the Motu were beyond his moßt sanguine expectations. At tho Motu ho bad been afforded an opportunity of inspecting the surrounding bush, and from the points of vantago from which he had viewed the country stretching towards the Bay of Plenty and othor sideß, be was deeply impressed with tho possibilities that were before Gisborne in regard to the timber industry. Questioned in regard to the Gisborne* Auck'aud railway, Mr Herries said that thoro was a great agitation going on at Auckland and Opotiki and along the Coast. Opotiki desired oanneotion with Gisborne, and towards that end he hoped they would

work in harmony. The opinion he formed riding overland, and tho information ob*

i tained, convinced him that there were no i serious engineering difficulties between Gisborne and Opotiki. There would bo i no tunnelling to speak of, and tho grade throughout was a comparatively easy one. He hoped to see the agitation ftom the Gisborne end continued, and he looked for a considerable amount of good to • result from the conference to be bold at Auckland on May 31st. Auckland had, he said, for a lorg t : me neglected the Ea c t Coast, but now that thoy wore wskiog up to its possibilities thoy should be given every encouragement, Continuing, Mr Herries espresspd some disappointment at the slow progress of the wotks at the Gisborne end Hs had been led to believa that they wore aivanoiDg at a much greater ratp, and be hoped that after the forthcoming sess : on a different state of affairs would be brought about. It was to the advantage of Ihe colony that the line should be pushed forward at the utmost possible Bpeed. Mr ELernts and Mr W Li sant Clayton will be enteitained at a Busoke oonoert, to be held in the British Empire Hotel this eveuiog.