KAWHIA.

King Country Chronicle, Volume I, Issue 27, 26 April 1907, Page 3

KAWHIA.

The Minister for Lands, Mr McNab, arrived here on Thursday evening. At Oparau he was interviewed by the settlers, re Native lands, roads, etc., and in the evening he received deputations from the Council and Town Board. The Chairman of the Council asked that the Harbour endowments be vested in the Council, as, owing to the growing trade, increased shed and wharf accommodation was urgently needed, both in Kawhia and at the various settlements round the harbour. He. also

spoke at length about the loans which the Council applied for, three of which have been refused, after all formalities have been gone through, on the grounds that half-rates sre illegal. Mr Jonathan brought before him the question of the sand drift, and pointed out that unless something was done soon, much valuable land would be rendered worthless. Mr J. Scott spoke of the necessity for more Justices of the Peace being appointed, instancing the case of a settler from Kinohaku who had to spend over £3 in launch hire, etc., to get a paper witnessed. Various other subiucts were brought before the Minister. Those Of his own Department he replied to, promising to look into the matter of the endowments and sand drift. Other matters, he said, he would refer to the Minister in whose department they were. Several contracts for bushfelling have been let, and others are to be let shortly. On .Friday morning Mr McNab and party visited Rakanui and Kinohaku, returning at mid-day and leaving for Raglan in the afternoon. Mr McNab was very pleased with the harbour, and was much struck with the large amount of unproductive Native lands all round the harbour. The County Council has received the provisional consent of the Treasury to a loan of £SOO, for increased shed and wharf accommodation. Large numbers of sheep have been brought into the district this season, and more are to come yet: The wool export, which was over 230 bales this year, should be more than doubled next season. The timber for the Okupata and Awaroa bridges is now on the ground and that for the Marakopa bridge is in Kawhia, and the work of erecting them will be proceeded with shortly. There is talk of a fish freezing plant being erected here, and negotiations are in progress for a site for a butter factory. The Hon. W. W. McCardle will return here for a few weeks prior to the opening of Parliament.