VISIT OFTHE HON. MR ROLLESTON

Thames Star, Volume XI, Issue 3507, 22 March 1880, Page 2

VISIT OFTHE HON. MR ROLLESTON

TO THB

TIPPER THAMES.

[BY OUE SPECIAL BEPOETJ3K.]

Mr Rolleston and party reached Paeroa at two o'clock on Friday afternoon. As soon as lunch was over Tukukino had an interview with Mr Eolleston, Mr Puckey acting as interpreter.

Mr Bolleston pointed out to Tukukino that it was scarcely in his department treating re native lands, but being in the district and understanding that he wished to see him he should be happy to hear what he had to say, and if possible settle the question of the road.

Tukukino said he had been promised a 1000 acres of land out of the block by Mr Sheehan if he consented to dispose of his portion of it, and withdraw from further opposition to the road works. He wished to know if the Government were prepared to open negotiations upon suck a basis.

Mr Rolleston said there appeared some misunderstanding upon this matter, and that Tukukino should allow the roud and telegraph line to proceed first, and any question re the price to be given for the land, and the compensation, could'be settled afterwards. After some further cbnvlrsation the discussion lapsed without anything definite being done: Mr Rolleston refusing to give pny pledge on behalf of the Government, and Tukukino wanting certain concessions.

Deputations.

After the interview with Tukekino, the Hon. Mr Rolleston met a deputation con sisting of Messrs Phillips, Bobson, and C. F. Mitchell in the public hall, Paeroa, a large number of residents being present. Mr Phillips pointed out the great inconvenience felt by the inhabitants of Paeroa and the surrounding district from the want of telegraphic communication with Auckland and the Thames. Besides the inconvenience felt by business people the fact gave a certain amount of uneasiness, from the unfriendly character of "some of the natives, who might at any time commit an outrage similar to the late one, news of which would take hours to reach the Thames or Waikato, where assistance would have to come from. In connection with the construction of telegraphic communication was the formation of the County road, through the Komata. Mr Phi) lips said the people of the district felt very strongly upon this matter,, and were annoyed that the repeated promises of former Governments, that the question would be settled and the road formed, had up to the present been unfulfilled. Upon this matter depended the postal arrangements which at present were very unsatisfactory, it taking frequently 9 or 10 days for a letter to reach Auckland from Paeroa, thereby causing great inconvenience to the public, especially business men.

Mr Kolleston asked how was tbo service done at present, and how frequently were the mails received from the Thames.

Mr Phillips said the steamers plying on the river carried the mails, and usually a mail reached once in two days, though occasionally daily.

Mr Bolleston said he "was pleased to meet the people of Paeroa and hear their wants. He admitted-that they had just cause for complaint, but pointed out that all the matters referred to by Mr Phillips were dependent upon the' construction of the road through the Komata. If either matter came within his department, but he felt an interest in any question that wou'd tend to forward the interests of the district. When the road was made, and the dispute with Tukukino- settled, he would assure them (hat both a telegraph station and a post office would be established in Paeroa.

Referring to the telegraph line Mr Eolleston asked Mr Mag'innity, who was present, the intentions of his department. That gentleman said he would be only too pleased to have the line altered and a station at Paeroa, and was only waiting for the road question to be settled.

Mr C. F. Mitchell said the same reply had been giveu four years ago. Mr Bolleitoii said he was most anxious

to open up the country, and had come for the express purpose of seeing the district and especially (he Te Aroha lands. He would in every way further the throwing open of land, especially under the deferred payment system. The Government would be unablo, he remarked, to give many grants of money, but of such as were given he would assure them a fair share would be apportioned to the Thames district.

Mr Mitchell said Mr Sheehan promised that if the telegraph line could not be "constructed through the J£omata, hd would causa connection to be made with Paeroa from Katikati and on to Hamilton. He spoke of the absurdity of any Government allowing one native like Tukukino to obstruct necessary works, and believed if the Government would in a determined manner proceed with the work, very little trouble would be encountered from the natives.

Mr Kolleston in reply to a remark touching the quality of the land at present thrown open for settlement, said it would be premature for him to give any opinion as to its quality, but that after he had visited it he would tell them more about it.

The Agricultural Leases.

Mr C. Comes called the attention of the Minister of Lands to the position of the occupiers of land in the Obinemuri gold field under the agricultural leasing regulations. He asked if the freeholds would be guaranteed to the occupiers, and as all the natives signatures but. two or three had been obtained to the land, the leaseholders were anxious to know the intentions of the Government. It was ?ery discouraging to men to work upon land the freehold of which they were uncertain of being able to obtain. The Homestead Act had been brought into operation on. the Thames part of the goidfield, and the people of Ohinemuri were of opinion that the same opportunities should be granted to them in acquiring possession of goldfieldi land. Mr Kolleston said the occupiers of land under the agricultural leases h#d made a certain arrangement, and it would be impossible for the Government to alter the terms of it. If men took up land upon certain terms, they should in his opinion fulfill the .conditions, and not now ask that more favorable ones slould be substituted. He could not promise any change in the tarma under which men had taken up the land referred to.

Mr C. F. Mitchell said what Mr Comes meant was, would the present Government fulfil the promises made by former Government, that when, the freehold 4 of the land was acquired would the occupiers get the freehold of their lands at a fair price. Mr Brodie explained to Mr Eolleston the peculiar position of the ' occupiers of lands in Ohinecuuri under the leasing regulations, and pointed out . that the Government by carrying out the provisions of the Land Act would be doing justice to the present occupiers. Mr Porter also called attenlion to the provisions of the Act in- force, touching goldfiflds lands on the West Coast of the Middle Island, which if introduced here would simplify dealing with the lands under discussion.

Mr liolleston said he. did not fully understand the matter. The question was new to him, but from what was said he believed a fair case for consideration had been shown. He would enouirc further into the question, and wouid .assure them that what was fair under the circumstances would be done. ' . ■

Xta Prospecting.

Mr Comes asked if any portion of the vote for prospecting would be granted for the Ohinemuri district. He referrfd to the fact that the majority of the residents under the agricultural leases were old Thames miners, who had been induced in a great measure to settle in the district upon the expectation that gold existed, and some day fresh discoveries would be made. He said if assistance .was given to prospecting great good might result to the district at large and the colony. Mr Jtiolleston said he could not give the speaker any information as to the way the vote referred to would be expended.

Te Aroha Lands.

Mr Murphy stated that the laud at present offered by the Government under the Deferred Payment System was the worst in the block, and not at all suitable for poor men to take up. He wished to know if a better block of land would be thrown open, or if persons refused to apply for the lands at present offered, would they be debarred from applyingfor any further block that might be thrown open. He referred to certain lands upon the east bank of the river which were suitable for poor men. .. -..

; Mr Speight, M.H.R., said that a nuin- [ her of men had applied to him for advice | under the circumstances referred to by. ' Mr Murphy, and he had recommended them to apply for the portions of the land they considered suitable. Mr Kolloston said a great difference of opinion seemed to exist upon the value of the lands at present offered. He had hoard several men state the lands were very good, and now Mr M\irphy would lead him to believe they were very bad. lie would give them his opinion when he returned on Saturday evening. The deputation thanked Mr Rolleston jfor his attention to their requests.