MR GRACE M.H.R., AT OHINEMURI.

Te Aroha News, Volume III, Issue 153, 8 May 1886, Page 7

MR GRACE M.H.R., AT OHINEMURI.

On Friday evening, 30th ult., Mr Grace, M.H.U., arrived at Paeroa on his i«^nt^— expected mission to the Ohinemuri end of the Tauranga electorate, in order to interview and address the electors resident in that part of the constituency. Mr Grace had necessarily to proceed on his tour through the outlying districts with as little delay as possible, in order to get back to Wellington on the 13th inst., the day fixed for the opening of the session. Soon after his arrival he was deputationised by several gentlemen interested in the agricultural leaseholds of the district. Some of the settlers who have taken up these lands are dissatislied with their bargain, and wished t<> st pulute for fresh terms. This the Government have grante I (on the petition of some twenty- nun* settlers), and have decided to value the laud as third cinss, and offer it to the settlers at , r >3 per acre. This, Mr Grace informed the deputation, was the very lowest piiee Government could by law accept ; and he thought that it was a very fair proposal. Duriner Saturday Mr Grace was "at Home" at the Criterion Hotel to any one who wished to consult him on public matters, or pay the tribute of a friendly visit. A number of Ins supporters availed themselves of this privilege, and he liel I in consequence quite a little levee during the morning ; whilst in the afternoon he visited ninny of the residents There was ft good nsspniblage of electors in the Paeroa Public Hall on Saturday evening to hear an addiess from Mr Grace. Mr F Cock was voted to the chair, and, in n few chosen remarks, intioduced Mr Grace to the meeting, Mr Grace (who was received with applause), stated that he would have visited their end of the electorate much eailier but for being detained at Taupo on business in connection with the Native Land Court, He thanke I the electors for the assistance they gave him at the last election, and hoped that he would be able to merit a continuance of their confidence. Mr Grace referred to various Acts passed last session ; specially to the Consolidated Land and Land Transfer Acts, under which land could be taken up for settlement in five different ways. Respecting the Hospital and Charitable Aids Bill, Mr Grace said this measure was only on its trial, and proj hably it would be considerably altPivd next session. He was of opinion that Ohinemuri and Piako would be much better off if separated from Thames, and with a hospital of their own established iv a central position. He promised to try and carry out the wishes of agricultural leaseholders in the district, and obtain their freeholds for them as cheaply as possible. During the session he had managed to have no less a sum than £13,000 placed on the Estimates for roads, etc., in his electorate. He had been unable to get a sum voted for the construction of a bridge at Waihi, but would try again. With respect to the line of road to connect Katikati and Te Aroha, he had succeeded in getting the survey proceeded with, and hoped, during the ensuing session, to get a sum of money voted f >r completing the work. He would support a borrowing scheme, provided the money were expended on reproductive works ; and considered the railway from Thames to Te Aroha should be one of the first lines completed ; as it would supply the missing link in connecting Thames with Auckland, and also open up a most valuablo and extensive tract of agricultural land and rich mineral districts. He thought a branch lino should be constructed to Waihi, Katikati, Tanranga, and Rotorua. He also stated that a redistribution of seats was imminent, and that probably a seat would be given to a representative for the Ohinemuri district, such a move he would support, the whole district being: too large for one to work.

At the close of the address a number of questions were asked and replied to. In reply to Mr F. Lipsey, Mr Grnc 1 vsaid he would endeavour to have a smn of money pluced on tlio Estimates for t.lio erection of n Warden's Court at Pneioa ; and Further promised to try nnd have the Crown lands in thedi-triot thrown open for settlement. The meeting- concluded by a vote of thanks and confidence, proposod by Mr Lipsoy, seconded by Mr Mitchell, being carried by acclamation. On Sunday Mr Grace, accompanied by Messrs W. G. Nicholls and E. Edwards, visited the Thames, returning on Monday morning to Paeroa, stopping at Kirikiri, Puriri, and Hikutnia on the wny, to talk over niattors with the electors who assembled to moot him.