MINISTERIAL MOVEMENTS

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2205, 1 June 1908, Page 2

MINISTERIAL MOVEMENTS

DEPUTATIONS TO Mil. McUOWAN

The Hon. James McGowan, Minister for. Milieu and Justice, returned to Wellington by the ’Waikure yesterday. . , The lion. James Carroll, Mm;.,ter for Native Affairs, was about town lor a few hours on Saturday and is slightly improved in health. On Saturday morning, Mr. McGowan. ns Minister for ltoads was waited upon by Mr. C. A. de Lautour, who asked on behalf of the Wainpu County Council, for the following grants:— Waiapn bridge £ for £ (to be extended over two years) £sooo;Mata bridge £ for £, £1000; Waiapu-Kawakawa road, £1000; Pahii-Pukotote, £500; Mangahurei-Wsii-o-matatin-i, £3OO ; Makuri'ku-Paekawa, £300; GisborneWaiapu inland road,. £SOO ; Taurangakautuka, £300; Mata Rlvcr-Waita-liaia, £1000; Tapuwaeroa, £500; Kopuahounamn, £500;" Tokomaru-Mata, £SOO, Mr. DeLautohr further explained the position and,necessity for tho bridging of the Wainpu River, stating that ho found tho Council was desirous of obtaining even larger! assistance than the amount he had.-pre-viously mentioned. He also emphasised the importance of the Manga-harei-Wai-O-matatini work, where in order to enable a continuance of traflic it was necessary to make a deviation owing to constant slips. Mr. McGowan gave Mr. DeiLautbur a sympathetic reply and promised that the applications would bo placed with, those received from other parts when the whole question was considered.in the framing of tho Roads Departments’, estimates The Hon. Captain Tucker, Chair-man-of'the Cook County Council, ‘ac-’ companied by-Cr. A. F-. Matthews, also waited on, the Hon. Mr. McGowan regarding the necessity, for an amendment of the present legislation to enable an enlargement of the local bodies’ powers of borrowing, pointing out that the Cook County Council was much- restricted under the present £6OOO limit, which was already mortgaged till 1910. Captain Tucker further Suggested that it -might bo advantageous that in futfird applications for loans on part of the local bodies should he submitted to the District Engineer for Roads for his opinion as to necessity, etc'. The Minister promised to give his favorable consideration to theso: matters ■

Mr. McGowan proceeded to Waikanae to view the new gaol site recent-

ly acquired by tho Government. On. Saturday afternoon, the Mayor, Mr. W. D. Lysnar, introduced a deputation of To Arai settlors, respecting the urgency of metalling the Arai Valley road, -and the granting of a stock reserve. The Mayor said the settlers desired to .'ina'ke three requests, firstly, the metalling of the main road through the settlement, a work that was essential to enable them to enter .into dairying. Two creameries would be put up at once wore the roads metalled, but the erection of -these was boing held over till the spring, owing to Ihe stato of the roads. Another matter was the setting apart of a reserve for travelling stock. They also desired to have a woolslied Beelion reserved, which had been kept back for that purpose, but it was heard that it.was about,to be cut up also. Mr. C. J- Parker, as an old settler in the To Arai Valley, also supported the request, pointing out the settlers would be unable to carry out dairying in tho winter unless tho roads were matalled. Mr. W. Gibson offered to drive tho Ministers to see the state of the road, and pointed out that dairying would be impossible without this assistance. He also impressed upon the Ministers the urgency of having the reserve made. Sir; A. F. Matthews, in tho absence of the County Chairman, said that it would be very bad for the settlers if they could not get their milk to the creameries but for tho expenditure of money on metalling. Ho did not think it would be practical to go on with the work in tlio winter, but all arrangements could be made for its being gone on with. Tho Hoii. James Carroll said he could appreciate the demands made by the new settlers and the conditions -meant very bad roads in t-lie winter. He ako pointed out the land had been loading for roading and the settlers had already paid their contributions. Ho thought it would be for the Ministers to lay before the Minister for Lands tlio conditions on which the land was lot.

Mr. Gibson explained that good metal could be obtained on the settlement. Mr. C. J. Parker said there were plenty of stone on the Papatu side. Tlio Hon. Mr. McGowan said tho

matter of roading was' evidently the most serious. He wotald find out the 'Conditions ’ and . would endeavor to help them as much as he could. It was the duty of the Government to supply the people with roads. Proceeding, the Minister said the difficulty in New Zealand was that there were so many roads that required to bo made. The request for a stock reserve would be placed distinctly before the Minister for Lands, also that of the request for a domain, and its importance of being adjacent to the school. He would not make a promise because he might he put in a- position that lie would have to make excuses. He would, however, do his utmost in making the necessary roads. It was impossible for the-Government to make all tlie roads that were necessary, because it would entail 6o' much borrowing. He hoped none of the settlers would ever regret having gone on to t-lie settlement, j. • . « / . The Mayor thanked the Minister for his replies' and the deputation withdrew.