PARLIAMENTARY TOUR.

Taranaki Daily News, 24 February 1921, Page 6

PARLIAMENTARY TOUR.

LEAVE FOR NAPIER. By Telegraph.—Tress Association, j ' Gisborne, Feb. 23. I The Parliamentary party left early this morning on the way to Napier via Wairoa and Waikaremoana. It was \ intended to divide the party, one section 1 visiting the Hangaroa Valley, but owing to rain it was decided that the whole party should travel to Wairoa via Morere, inspecting the Waikokopu harbour and railway works en route. A big Maori welcome was given the party at Manutuke, interesting speeches- being made. G isborne, Feb.. 23. Prior to the Parliamentary party leaving Tokomaru Bay this morning, members were taken to M’aima to inspect the e harbor and freezing works. I Mr. K. S. Williams explained the cons ditions and order in which the harbor worked and indicated the proposals for , extension. Mr. William Oates, senr., an old resident of the coast, explained to the visitors the early history of the district, commencing with Captain . Cook’s visit on his first voyage to New ’ Zealand. It was at Teariuru, a large village in the bay, that Dr. Solvander i and Sir Joseph Banks first beeaipe acquainted with the- natural history of New Zealand. Water was badly need- ■ ed, so Captain Cook ordered a landing ; to be made at Tokomaru Bay. Sir Joseph Banks and his company found the Natives friendly and hospitable, , and in order that the party could return to the Endeavor before nightfall the Natives took them back in canoes. Sir Joseph Banks, it is recorded, secured plants of great variety at Tokomaru. The address was listened to with great interest, and the party returned to Gisborne at one o’clock, and later paid a visit of inspection to Ngatapa, the present termination of the East Coast line, 16 miles from Gisborne, where Mr. Armstrong, the Government engineer, explained the position and formation of the country through which the railway to pass. Later, the visitors were entertained at afternoon tea at Mr. W. D. Lysnar’s residence, and in the evening entertained at a public reception at which there was a very large attendance.