THE PRIME MINISTER.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2414, 1 February 1909, Page 4

THE PRIME MINISTER.

'/ISIT TO GISBORNE

The Prime Minister (Sir Joseph Ward), accompanied by Lady Ward, Miss Ward, Mr. Gladstone Ward, Master Pat Ward and his two private secretaries, Messrs Hislop and Matthews, arrived in Gisborne on Saturday by the Manuka, and all the party came ashore. A special launch carrying the Mayor and the representatives of the press left the wharf for the ALanuka at 9 o’clock, and the narty were landed at the wharf a few minutes before ton o'clock. On arrival at the wharf the party were welcomed by a representative gathering, including the Alayoress (Mrs. Lysnar), Mrs. F. B. Barker, ALessrs J. Townlev, Chairman of the Harbor Board, W. I). S. MacDonald, AL P., F. Hall, and others. . Motor cars were* in attendance, and Lady Ward and several members oi the party were taken lor a drive in the country with Messrs F. Hall’s and F. B. Barker’s cars, which had been placed at their disposal. The party proceeded to To Arai, where they inspected the Alaori Church and native settlement. On returning to town they partook of morning tea with tin* Mayoress, Airs. Lysnar, and a tew friends. They subsequently rejoined Sir Joseph at the wharf at 1 o’clock, when they continued their journey to Auckland, on route for Rotorua. where a fortnight is to be spent.

DEPUTATIONS. GISBORNE HIGH SCHOOL. As Sir Joseph consented to receive deputations, Messrs deLautour anti Bright, representing the Gisborne High School Board oi Governors, waited upon him in reference to a site for a new High School building. Air. deLautour, chairman of the Board of Governors, said there was an education endowment reserve ol about 5 acres on? Stanley Road, renteel at UK) a year, which ho thought would make a"suitable site for a High School. The Board required a site, and were at present forced to use a portion of the Technical School 'Tor imparting secondary education, the School Committee, however, were opposed to granting the use of the building, though secondary education had been carried on in the district for JO years. Now the town was so important it was proposed to establish a High School, and if the land was not needed for any other purpose he thought the Government might set it aside for the .use of the Board. He had already made representations to the Aiinister for Education, and thought if a site was found for the new school it might allay any irrita-

tion. _ Sir Joseph, in reply, said that ho would telegraph the Flop. George Fowkls, and ask him to facilitate the Board’s obtaining the site. PROGRESSIVE LEAGUE. The Mayor then introduced a deputation from the Progressive League, of which Air. IV. E. Crawford is chairman, which wished to bring several matters under the Prime Alinister’s notice. Air. Frank Harris said that there was a road between Gisborne and AVairoa passing through Te Arai, which, if improved, would shorten the distance between the two towns by eight miles, and the grades were easier than on the present road in use. He desired to oring the value of the road under the notice of the Government-, and handed the Prime Aiinister a letter setting forth how, if the road was improved, travellers would be- benefited. Air. Harris also dealt with the need for a bi-weekly mail service between AVairoa -and Gisborne, and added that the Te Arai road would, if formed, remove any obstacle from inaugurating such a service. . . Air. Tustin asked for an improved telephonic service, if possible, a metallic circuit between Gisborne and AVairoa, and asked that as there were now 623 subscribers on the Gisborne Exchange a continuous service should he given to the tow r n, as a Sunday and all night service was essential to the- neople in country districts in case of accident or sickness.

Mr. It. M. Birrell requested that a separate-Land Board should be established for Poverty .Bay. The district. he said, now wished to manage its own affairs. The Government had large interests in the district, and a Board would be of great use. Mr. Birrell brought under the Prime Minister’s notice the constitution of the Gisborne Harbor Board, and said the Board was now considering whether an outer harbor should be constructed or not. The question was one entirely tor the people, and the present constitution of the Board was unsatisfactory, inasmuch as five members weappointed and only four elected. Such a state of affairs was not in keeping with the democratic ideas of the country, for the voice of the people should rule. He ashed that the Executive should take steps to remove the anomaly. Mr. W. Maddison brought under notice the need of the Government providing lands for Settlement in the district,, and requested that householders in the country should be placed on the same footing as regards exercising the franchise as householders in cities and boroughs. The Mayor spoke in support of all the requests, but particularly enipha-' sised the need Jor a continuous telephone service. Gisborne, lie pointed out, was served by steamer every Sunday, and persons were often put to great inconvenience by not being able to use the telephone to enquire about the arrival or departure of the vessels. His Worship added that the telephone service to Wairoa had been discontinued and great inconvenience caused, as it was necessary now to arrange for the bureau to be opened to get a message through. Mr. IV. ,L. Rees supported the Mayor’s statement. The Prime Minister said he would have the question of opening up the road to Wairoa through the Arai Valley inquired into by the Roads Department. The shortening of a road was often .not wise, as a road that went around often served a great: number of settlers. In regard to tjie Wairoa telephone lie would get an estimate of the cost of a metallic circuit, which meant a double copper wire, and would see what could ho done. He thought that if a single copper wire was installed the induction when speaking would not be so pronounced. In regard to the request for a separate Land Board. Sir Joseph said he would give the matter careful con-

side ration, for only a local Board could keep' closely in touch with the landholders. He thought" the time had arrived when a new Board might be created, but the Government did not want to unduly multiply the number of Lancl Boards. He would, however,, talk the matter over with !iis colleagues. ' In regard to the request for a b(-weekly mail service with AVairoa, lie would give' the subject attention, but the business would hive to warrant the outlay. Dealing with the constitution of the Harbor Board, Sir Joseph said the Government had contemplated a change to the elective system, and to a certain extent he favored the proposal. Still it must be remembered that the Board must steer clear of vested interests., and it was almost neeesary to have upon such Boards some members who would not have to go to the electors for their return, and men who wore able to deal with engineering and other problems. The Government must approach the position very carefully, and he would give full consideration to what had been said.-

Referring to the request for a continuous telephone service, the Prime Aiinister said -that such an innovation would mean a treble staff, and if that was done, and the number of subscribers did not increase, the rates would have to be raised. Lie would promise to see that Gisborne got a Sunday and holiday service, but it was found that few calls were made after midnight, and the Department were thinking of discontinuing many services that extended after ihat hour. RAILWAY LEAGUE. A deputation was also received from the East Coast Railway League. Air. John Townley,, chairman of the League, said the League was pleased to see the progress that was being made on the Gisborne-Rotoma railway. and as another section was now nearly ready, he hoped it would he opened before the winter. The ballasting along the line had made the road dangerous to settlers, who desired to see the line quickly put to use. He hoped it would not he long before the great timber country ol Rakauroa was tapped by the railway. Later on, whejr tho main line nad been pushed a good distance, the Government should consider the advisability of running a number of brand; lines to act as feeders. " • Mr. AV. L. Rees supported ■ Mr. Town ley’s representations, and stated that he believed the proposed tramways would be found profitable feeders to the line. , , , Mr. deLautour said that branch lines were needed on the Last Coast, so that the inland Avaiapu could ho tapped by rail. This would be much better than having to erect other freezing works. They would like to learn what steps the Government were likely to take in. this direction. Mr. deLautour asked if the Brennan monorail had been investigated at all bv the Government, because he thought if the monorail was a success it could he used for tanning the country towns. . The Hon. Captain Tucker and Air. J. AA’biuray also urged the continuance oi rapid progress on the Gis-bornc-Rotorua line. Mr. AV. D. S. MacDonald, At.JR, said that the settlers in the district recognised tho value- of the line. They hoped the progress would be maintained, as the line would confer a great benefit on the settlers. All the fat sheep within 20 miles of Gisborne would be trucked down by the railway, the benefits of which would he increased as they went on. Ho fumed that the work of survey would be pressed on. In reply, the Prime Minister said the representations of the deputation would be carefully considered. He was -lad to hear the views of the League, but the Government was between two fires of criticism in regard to railways. Sonic people objected to rail was s being pushed on,' and others urged that they should ho pushed oil. People did not object to lines in their own district of course. They -were the best they could for the whole Dominion, subject to the limitations put upon them. Ho recognised that this would be'-a great district, that they were earnest in their representations, and he could say that the Government would in the future, as they had tried to do in the past, push on the line as rapidly as they could, subject to the. limitations lie had mentioned. The subject of feeders would have close attention. The Government had inquired into the monorail, but it had not yet been proved -a success, and was only in the experimental stage. If it could be turned to practcal account, the 500 miles in this district could be reduced to 250 miles. The monorail was having their attention. TE ARAI ROADS. The Hon. Captain Tucker introduced a deputation from the settlers on the Te Arai estate.

Mr. IV. Pe.ryer read a petition from the settlers asking the Government to metal the roads on the settlement. He explained that the settlers were “loaded” for roadingf but the roads had not been formed. The settlers met with great difficulty in getting their supplies, taking their milk to the creameries, and getting their children to school. Ho thought that about seven miles of metalling would be sufficient. The Prime Minister said he would look into the matter, and see what lie could do. He’was anxious to give the settlers good roads, but evorytliing could not bo done in one year. It was always a question of money. Ho promised to send a reply alter ho got hack to Wellington. MISCELLANEOUS. Mr. W. L. Rees brought under the Prime Minister’s notice the small force of police stationed in Gisborne, and mentioned that great inconvenience was caused by the Government offices being scattered over the town. He thought one building should contain all the offices. The old drill shed had also been left standing, and was a danger to the post office block in case of fire. • Sir Joseph Ward replied that he would bring the need for more riolice under the notice of the Minister of Justice, and obtain a report from the various departments on the need for central offices.

The Mayor then thanked Sir Joseph for his sympathetic replies to the various deputations. In a conversational manner the Hon. Captain Tucker said that the Government had dealt liberally with the grazing run-holders, hut the rating on those properties was much less than upon freehold properties. He

thought something might he done, toequalise matters. Referring to the constitution of the Harbor Board, Captain Tucker reminded the Prime Aiinister that at present only three members were appointed by the Government, as the Chairman of the Cook County Council and the Mayor of Gisborne were elected by the ratepayers. Tile Prime Aiinister replied that the increased valuation on the grazing runs would also increase the amount received from the rates. He recognised that the Government was entitled to adequate representation on the Harbor Board, so that their counsel would act as a guidance to the people. Sir Joseph then .attended to a quantity of Government business in the Mayor’s rooms at the Council Chambers., after which lie joined the ■ party that was being entertained by Airs. Lysnar. When the special launch left the wharf at 1 o’clock three cheers were given for Sir Joseph and Lady AVard.