MINISTER FOR LANDS.

Taranaki Daily News, 21 February 1921, Page 4

MINISTER FOR LANDS.

THROUGH AWAKINO DISTRICT. THE TOUR CONCLUDED. After visiting Afokau river on Thursday, the Hon. D. H. Guthrie and party proceeded to Awakino, and were the guests of Air. Duncan at his beautiful residence. On Friday morning the party proceeded on the liigh lands, Air. Jennings going along the Valley Road up to the tunnel, where good progress is shown. The work in slow,. as the limestone, through which the men are driving, is as hard as granite. The men stated to the member that they believed the country was mineral-bearing, and gave some specimens of iron pyrites which they had come across. About fifteen years ago Professor Thomas (Auckland University) was at Awakino in connection with minerals said to be in the district. The men at the tunnel, who are practical miners from Waihi, told Air. Jennings that they saw many indications of coal about the place. The tunnel is about 134 feet in length, and is fourteen miles from Awakino Post Office bn the Valley Road.

The party left their horses at the residence ot Air Sole, who hospitably entertained the visitors, and after a good run in the motors, saw the soldier settlement at Mahoenui. The main request from the men to the Minister was the acquisition of wore lend for small settlement, so as to help them in establishing a dairy factory, as the cost of transit of their cream to Pio Pio, and for stores coming to them, was very high. The LJon. Air. Guthrie congratulated the men on what he saw accomplished by them in a very short time, and said he would consult with Mr. Skeet, Crown Lands Commissioner, about land suitable for settlement.

The party next proceeded to Pio Pio, accompanied by Air. Boddie, and deputations from Aria and Te Afapara interviewed the Alinister, the main request being the conversion of endowment leases into freehold. Deputations were next met at Te Kuiti, the requests being some modification of the regulations in connection with the freeholding of native leases in Te Kuiti, and opening of land for settlement purposes in the Mangakahu Valley, east of Ongarue. After the deputations the party were entertained in the* muicipal hall by the Mayor, the Alinister leaving by the 11.30 p.m. train for Wellington.'