PROVINCIAL NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 59, 9 May 1907, Page 3

PROVINCIAL NEWS.

RAHOTU:

(From Our Owu Correspondent.) Hon. Jas. Carroll remained here all day Tuesday. In the morning he attended to various native matters. In the afternoon a deputation, consisting of Messrs. Wilcox, Tlughson, Baker, Gilmour, West, Woodesee, .1. C. Phillips, and Hawkins, waited on the Minister. The deputation was introduced by Mr. W. T. Jennings, M.11.R. for Egmont. The first matter touched on wiis the question of the post office and police residence at Eahotu. Mr. J. P. Hughsou said that, prior to last election, a deputation waited on Sir J. Ward at Ptuigarehu in regard to this matter. lie promised to enquire into it, but so far had not done anything. Mr. Ilughson pointed out that the present position of the post office is unsuitable, as is also the accommodation provided, whilst there was a suitable site set apart for the purpose, and the rent now paid would represent interest on a capital sum sufficient to build n suitable ollice.This would greatly improve the appearance of the township, as at present the buildings on the site were very dilapidated, and it would not pay him as lessee on a month to month tenancy to erect anything substantial.

Mr. Wilcox said the present post office was unsuitable. There was room on the acre set apart for the Government for both post office and police, residence. Mr. Hawkins thought it advisable to wait a little longer, and obtain a post office like Inglcwood or Eltham. Messrs. Woodesee and West also spoke in favor of building at present. Messrs. Dockrill and Jennings said they were disappointed wilh the present accommodation, which was not adequate. Mr. Ilughson said the Rahotu P.O. did more business than any other office between New Plymouth ami Opimake. The Hon. Jas. Carroll, in reply, said there was reason to believe Rahotu was on the eve of expansion, and as set!lenient became closer, more necessities arose. lie was convinced that a post office was required, and he would represent to the Postal Department the necessity of get Ling a sum placed on the estimates sufficient to provide a post office suitable for seme years to come. The police residence should also be included.

-Mr. West asked if some arrangement, could not lie made in regard to paying (iovermneut Life Insurance into liahotu Post Office instead of sending to Opunako.

The Minister promised d> >.ee into the matier.

Mr. Hughson referred to the state of the township, one site being Freehold and the other leasehold. The native owners were willing to sell. The PublicTrustee had been approached in the matter, but refused to do anything. Could not something be done to obtain the freehold of the township sections, so that they could improve them as would be done if improvements were their owu'f

Mr. Carroll said he recognised the position, but it opened up the whole question of freehold and leasehold. The Public Trustee sheltered himself behind the Act of 1592, and he was rigid to do so. Times, however, had progressed since (hen, and he was in favor of the Act. being amended to relax conditions and make the Act mure compulsory. He would be in favor of asking Parliament to allow township sites to'be alienated and made freehold, Ihe money received to lie funded.

Mr. Willeox referred to the position of the West Coast native leases. Some of the roads had gone in for special loans. Instead of these being placed to improved value they were placed to unimproved value.

The Minister said there was a coinmission sitting on native amis, and he would arrange for it to come and report to Parliament on the various anomalies that appear to exM. The natives themselves were anxious ilia! this should be done. The deputation thanked the Minister and withdrew.