DEPUTATIONS.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VII, Issue 552, 22 March 1913, Page 5

DEPUTATIONS.

KIO KIO NECESSITIES. Mr Hudson, representing the Kio Kio branch of the Farmers' Union, referred to the necessity for a railway crossing at Kio Kio. At present the settlers had to drive, through the stationyard, and it was proposed to acquire some land to continue the road outside the yard and place a crossing at a convenient position. The department had been applied to and had submitted plans which would entail a cost of £2OO. This was rather much for the settlers to undertake. The county council had offered to assist, and ha asked the Ministec to . also grant some assistance in the matter. Mr Scholes, county chairman, said the undertaking was rather too big for the council, but it was desirable in the interests of the public to have the crossing. It was one of those plac'es in which provision should have been made for a crossing when the line was being put through, but, of course, the development of the district was not then foreseen. The Minister promised to get a report from the engineer, and would do the best possible to meet the request.

RAILWAY SIDING.

Messrs Scholes and Reynolds brought forward the matter of having a siding placed on the railway between Hangatiki and Otorohanga. The point suggested was the outlet for Rangitoto settlers, and the main road connected there. It was only a matter of time when a flag station would be necessary, but in the meantime a siding would be an immense convenience to the settlers, and would save the road journey of several miles. T.iere was also a metalling scheme for the roads in hand, and a great saving in freight would result if the siding was provided. It would also be a convenience for loading the settlers' cream, of which a considerable quantity was being handled. The Minister promised to get a report on the matter, and would give it his consideration as soon as possible.

NATIVE MATTERS

The long standing grievance on the cart of the native owners of the Umukaimata block, at Ohura, was brought before the Minister's notice by Mr b. Elliott. It appears that an area of about 2500 acres had been over-lapped in a survey, and the owners had been endeavouring to get the land returned to them. A petition had been recommended for favourable consideration by the Native Affairs Committ6The Minister advised the natives to petition Parliament. He intended introducing a washing-up Ball, and would deal with the matter in that measure. . . , Haeriti and other natives referred to the survey of a portion of their land at Marokopa for township purposes. They said no authority had been given anvone to survey the land ] The Minister said if that was so, the act was illegal. He would enquire if the survey was being done by the natives requested the Minister to free their lands which had been vested in the Maori Land Board. The Minister sasd he J had / ntlCl -fnfl the reauest and had made provfsiont tKct of 1912 for freeing the vested lands. IE a majori y of the owners petitioned the board the probation would be revoked and the Court would determine £Owners and return the land o Sem, providing it had not been dealt * Mr P D. Smyth requested the Minister to bring before the Minister of Public Works the necessity of grant--5? a sum of money for the Mokau°b T U h r e a Minister promised to do as reof completing the telephone line between Te Kaiti and teiepnuiio lin i,j n2 U p Mangaohae was advocated by Mr Sonnet on behalf of the settlers Hestrongly urged the complete of Se 5£ *> *rve settlers who were

battling in the bush and had only a weekly mail service.

The Minister said it was the policy of the Government tu render every assistance possible to the backblock settler, and he would refer the matter to his colleague, the PostmasterGeneral.

The proposal that the Government should acquire Tokipuhuki block; and set aside thereon endowments in the shape of recreation ground and educational areas, was placed before the Minister by Mr J. R. Graham. It was urged that the block would be highly suitable for workmen's homes, and that it would pay well to administer.

Mr Herries said he could only reply concerning the proposed purchase of the block. The rest of the scheme remained with other departments. As Native Minister he was prepared to purchase land at the Government valuation providing the owners and lessees were willing.

Major Lusk requested that the extra express between Auckland and Wellington should be continued. At the' conclusion of the deputations Mr C. K. Wilson, member for the district, thanked Mr Herries for the kindly consideration he had extended to the deputations. As far as native affairs were concerned he knew no man in the Dominion had given more study to ■> the question than Mr Herries, and he was confident the best efforts of the Minister would be devoted to solving the problem.