ROUND THE DISTRICT

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 203, 7 May 1912, Page 7

ROUND THE DISTRICT

INTERVIEW WITH MR. W. T. JENNixns. - ENTIIrSTASTIC GATHERINGS. In an interview with a New srepresentative last night, Mr. Jennings, who returned by the Rarawa yesterday, gave some notes of his tour with various Ministers in the Taumarunui electorate during the past fortnight. On April 23 he accompanied the Hon. G. Laurenson from Waitara to Mokau. The roads over the Ureti flat, after leaving the metal, and over some parts of Mount Messenger and the Tongaporutu Valley, were at their worst, owing to the long and constant season of wet weather. The party had to get out of the traps and walk in many places. The experience was an illuminative one for Mr. Laurenson, who informed the late member'that he now had a good idea of what backblock roads were. The Minister had a very satisfactory interview with Mr. S. Nichols (chairman of the Mokau Harbor Board) and the full Board, Messrs. Black, Whitehead, Jones, W. F. Kelly, and others trtking part. The position of the Mokau River Trust Board was also fully placed before the Minister by Messrs. Nichols, Carr and Jennings. The Minister expressed surprise at the whole position, as submitted by the speakers, and promised to bring the matter before Cabinet. A trip of twelve miles up the river on the following day, and a return to Waitara under watery conditions, completed the North Taranaki tour. Dr. Buck accompanied the party as far as Urenui, On Thursday the Hon. 0. Laurenson went on to Wellington, Mr. Jennings proceeding to Te Kuiti, where the Prime Minister and the Minister for Public Works (Hon. Mr. Mac Donald) attended the presentation and banquet to the late member. During the day, the Hon. Mr. Mac Donald had largo deputations in connection with roads and native tenures, the Minister creating a distinctly favorable impression by the practical grasp he showed of these important questions. In the afternoon the Te Kuiti Public Library was opened, both Ministers taking part in the function. This was followed by a municipal dinner to the party in the borough chambers, The presentation to Mr. Jennings took place in the evening at the skating rink (Mr. Scholes. countv chairman, presiding), and was a thoroughly representative and enthusiastic gathering, amongst those present being the Prime Minister (Hon. T. Mackenzie), Hon. Mr. Mac Donald, Sir James Carrol, Mr. Wilson, M.P.. Mr. F. Lawry, the Mayors of Te Kuiti and Taumarunui (Messrs, Bodde and Waekrow), three county chairmen (Messrs. Scholes, of Waitomo, G. Loveday, of Ohura, and Ormby, of the Town Board), and settlers from fifty to sixty miles out. The addresses of the Ministers created a favorable impression, and they have gained many friends in the Roh.ie Potae. On rising to acknowledge the present of an envelope containing cheques for ,€220, and presents for Mrs. and Miss Jennings, the ex-member could not proceed for some time, go continued was the enthusiasm. After alluding to Te Kuiti and the King Country generally, and the extraordinarily .rapid progress shown all over the district within ten years' time, Mr. Jennings concluded by saying "that the Liberalism he desired- .to represent was that of clear and tolerant thinking, translated into Christian deeds; and the sole aim of our progressive thought should be for the industrial prosperity and greater contentment of the people of this, my native, land, New Zealand." After the presentation a banquet was given in honor of Mr. Jennings, at the Town Hall, over 200 sitting down. All the Ministers were present. Mr. Boddie, who proposed the toast of "Our Guest," spoke, eulogistically of the services rendered to Te Kuiti and the district. A pleasant evening was spent in music, and speeches, after which the Ministerial party proceeded by train to Wellington, being much impressed by their visit to Te Kuiti. While in Auckland the reinstating of the dining-car on the mail train between Wanganui and New Plymouth was brought under the. notice of the Hon. Mr. Meyers, Minister of Railways, by Mr. Jennings, who pointed out the great inconvenience caused to passengers. Mr. Meyers promised to obtain' a report on his return to Wellington.