MINISTERIAL VISIT TO WAITARA

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 295, 8 May 1911, Page 8

MINISTERIAL VISIT TO WAITARA

(Special to the News.) The Minister and party, on arrival at Waitara on Friday evening, were met at Mr. Kerr's Hotel, where they had made their headquarters, by a deputation from Pukcaruhe. On behalf of the settlers, Messrs. Parsons and Davis asked that a £ for £ subsidy be granted for a deviation. The speakers pointed out that originally the road had Tjeeu laid out at the wrong place, and settlers had borrowed several amounts of money for the purposes of deviation for the general welfare. A loan was being raised for the work. The chairman of the Clifton County Council supported the deputation's statements. The Minister, in reply, said he would give them up to £SOO on a £ for £ basis if Mr. Murray reported that the proposed work was a necessity and would be beneficial. The deputation thanked the Minister and withdrew. Prior to the party leaving for Inglewood, Mr. Jennings, M.P. for the Taumarunui electorate, expressed the pleasure he felt at the Minister visiting the district and seeing for himself the disabilities settlers labored under, and expressed a hope that Mr. McKenzie would be able to do something more even than he had promised. The speaker also thanked the local bodiea for the way in which they had treated him during the visit. Mr. Foreman and others also gave voice to the pleasure of having a Minister of the Crown amongst them. They hoped that the party had had an enjoyable time, and that good would accrue from the visit.

Mr. C. O'b'ullivan expressed a wish that settlers on the Moki road would be given better access to their properties, as the place was now being inhabited. The Minister said he would have a report made and in all probability the road would receive attention if circumstances warranted. He also desired to thank members of the local bodies for the enjoyable time he and his party had had during their visit, which he hoped to soon renew. His wish was to assist the backblocker, and when matters in this respect were brought before him they would receive his best attention

On leaving for Inglewood at about 8 o'clock the party wag sent away with three rousing cheers. As Is usual with motor trips, incidents were frequent during the drive to and from Mokau. In the first place it was necessary on two or three occasions to "get out and push" the car over the bad places on Mount Messenger. Then, on arrival at Tongaporutu, it wag found that "shanks' pony" would be necessary to effect the crossing, which had to be done on the soft river-bed. This was safely negotiated, and early lunch enjoyed at Mrs. McKoy's. It was then found that to get back to Waitara that evening proceedings at Mokau would have to be very brief, and much to the disappointment of the hospitable folk of tkat place there was not time to get to the township to enjoy the good things provided. The deputation met the party at the river, rowed them across; and the business was done there. On return to Tongaporutu, the attempt to take the first motor across ended by its "sticking in the mud." The Minister was soon ready to make the way easy for the party to pull the car out, and with his private secretary was seen hauling out fascines to stand on

while the lift and pull were made, and then shifting logs so as to make a clear way for the second car. The rest of the party soon followed the Minister's activity, and the river was safely negotiated.

Messrs. Rattenbury Bros, then came on the scene with a fine pair of horses, and these were utilised for the purpose of bringing the cars from the river bank on to the road. The aettlerj of Tongaporutu north were very kind in assisting in this work, and the Minister returned thanks. The journey was then continued until about half wav up Mount Messenger, when the second car refused to go. Over an hour was spent In inspection, and eventually the driver of the Minister's car left his passengers at the summit and returned to ascertain the cause of delay. He was not long in removing it, and the party got a move on for home. With a few further incidents the trip was safely negotiated, and the travellers arrived in Waitara about 7 o'clock. Half an hour was spent here, and then a move was made for Inglewood, where Mr. and Mrs. McKenzie, Mr. W. T. Jennings, M.P., and Mr. McNamara, private secretary, arrived safely, if somewhat later tha'n was anticipated.