Visit of the Hon. J. Carroll to Kawhia.

Kawhia Settler and Raglan Advertiser, Volume IV, Issue 199, 10 March 1905, Page 2

Visit of the Hon. J. Carroll to Kawhia.

~ ■ i i 1 Some weeks ago it was annnnnced , that the Hon. -Kmae Carroll. Native , Minister, intended visiting Bagtan, , and m if was thought that be might ] extend hit viait to Kawbia we wired j Mm Io Itrtt effect and « reply was re- j reive.’ <!>.♦ he would be nleaaed to do j so. Mr Carroll arrived about 6 p.m., , nonomomied by M* private Monetary | (Mr Pnollou), Mr Lang, M.H.R., Mr , GrMnrtaite, Mr Sanndere, To Mate, . and Mr Quick of the Waikato ArgO"- , The party were mot by the committee , (Messrs Jonathan, Hamilton, E. Fal- , waster and Pettit), and taken to , Hotel Moans, where refreshment | were partaken of. Io the evening , the Minister was interviewed, there - being about 29 persons present. ( Mr Hamilton was the first speaker ( and after welcoming Mr Carroll stated , that the Maoria of the district had , lately been receiving rate notices from , the Valuation Department, and as some of them could not read English j -h: y had to hand it to an interpreter, j Thia was an unfortunate position, and , he thought that someone should be apnointed to look after the interests , of both the Government and Maoris. He would also like some effort to be made, to alter the boundary of the Rohi Potae, so as to leave Kawto ®nt of the restricted area.- The (own should not be placed on the same footing as a Maori kianga, and he urged the Minister to use his endeavours to get the boundaries shifted, as bed been done in other places. Mr E. C. Falwaaser paid that be would like to bring oefore the Minister t“e Native Lands Administration Act. which he did not think worked well. There were numerous leasee %ung up in Wellington that bad been paaaed by thc -Maori Lend Council, but Cabinet wonld not sanction them, although all the conditions were fulfilled and the rent high enough. He would suggest legislation to transect the bneineaa in a more rapid manner. He did not think the Native Land had sufficient power, and he would like to see it increased. In regard to the coal leases they were also kept back, and he wonld like to know for wbat reason ? It was hard to get money to develope them with if there was not a valid ’ title. The Moeraugi block ahonld also be ont up, as it was at present only keeping the district back. Mr Jonathan asked Mr Carroll to endeavour to get a road surveyed between Kawbia and Pakoka, as if dons now no compensation wonld have to paid. The matter of railway communication with the Waikato was also introduced by ibo speaker, who expressed a hope that within five years a line would be opened to the harbour. The Noxiona Weeds Act should also bo looked into, especially in regard to ragwort, which was causing greet damage fo interests in the district. The Government should certainly do i something considering the fact that the ragwort seed was originally sup , plied bribe Government. The road to the Kawhia wharf also required attention, which had been promised by Mr Sodden. The Royal Commission on the Land Quest 100, might also be be induced by Me Carroll to sit at Kawhia, and lastly be urged the Minister to expediato the fixing of the Kawbia County boundaries. - Mr Lang explained that the Kawhia County boundaries would be definitely settled after the 81st of March. Mr Pettit brought under the Minister's notice the fact Chat Rakannu, should be acquired by the Government as a scenic reserve, as (at the present time it wss getting destroyed. ~ Mr Carroll, in reply, said he was pleased to be present and have a talk with the Kawhia people. In reference to the county boundaries, if they wera not mutually agreed on before March Slat, they -would have the boundaries proclaimed by the Colonial Secretary. The Maori Bating Act, framed lasi session, mads ibo Maori responsible foe rates, but be did not think it would come into force this year, as the valuation rolls had to be made up, which was a big task. The Maoris would all be on the roll, and would have to pay rates, and would then become a powerful factor in the constitution of councils. He admitted the hardship in living in the Bohi Potai or restricted area, and being debarred from privileges and convenience, that could, otherwise be enjoyed and experienced. They could not move the boundary as suggested, for the prohibitionists would not allow it. The matter had better remain as at present until the European population increased, when the demand could be made that the electors vote on the question of whether or not they have a license. There was no fear of Kawhia coming tn as a Maori ’Manga. The road to the wharf whs only a ’Vary small matter, and he thought considering the-nativew gave the land, that it was only a fair claim on ths Government that they should OOn- ' struct it. He recognised the fabt that the spread of ragwort was a serious menace io the distriotr-but the matter at the present’lime was receiving the careful consideration of ths Government* The necessity for the setting up of a local body was again evidenced when ragwort was mentioned. The danger effected all, and he would urge them to join forces and render assist Unco to check thfl spread of ragwort, for the future benefit of the colony an J in the interests of settlement. They should ba more vigorous in the application of the Act—it should be extended io native land, and Government land, in fact tbs application should be general. What was wanted was united action. The matter of the Bakaunui scenery being destroyed was out of the hands of the Government, as they simply acted on thß advise of the Boenio Preservation Committee. The Native Land Councils worked veil he thought, and were formed to

effect to lenses and theetottement of natirelands. Previous to the ting b P olthese ft waa ab£* {«Wy protabitive to deal Wi native Unde. The Government bad to be Ve 7 eee that all oaeea of native land dealings were good actions. They bad to ptotetoSe Maori against dealing and tariff tog or gambling away hie money; thus the delay, as the Cabinet had to get a lot of information. The coal toesM were being looked into, end tf he found that the terms, royalty, toe., were all right the leases would be granted. In seme instances applicants for 4 lease merely did it to secure a title and then sell to the md dieman, and the profits due to the owner would be lessened. The leee» had not been declined at all, bat merely handed on to the Crown Lew Department and Mines Department for them to look into. He thought the coal would mean a lot to Kawhia, which be sincerely hoped it would, and he would do everything in hie power to hasten the leases through. Be Mr Mountford's lease t- The Government had declined it, but he bed bad it reinstated, and if he were satisfied that it was a genuine case he would see that justice was dons. The Moerangi •block needed opening up, and they would have to bring about a dissolution of power which was responsible fcr it being locked up. It would|hen be put through the Land Court, and if the owners were reluctant to sell they would compel them to do Bu. The country could not allow land to remain in a virgin slate any longer, andAverything demanded that Moerangi should (be cut up. He would refer the matter of the Pakoka road mentioned by Mr Jonathan to the proper department. After Mr Carroll’s remarks, a smoke concert of a highly enjoyable nature was held. On Thursday morning the party proceeded to Awaroa to inspect the coal mines, and on returning the Minister addressed the Natives. The visitors were the guests of Mr Hamilton in the evening, being entertained at a musical evening at that gentleman’s residence. Mr Car roll left for Pirongia early on Friday morning.