VISIT OF THE HON. MR ROLLESTON

Thames Star, Volume XI, Issue 3508, 23 March 1880, Page 2

VISIT OF THE HON. MR ROLLESTON

TO THE UPPER THAMES-

[by ouk special eepobtee.]

Waitoa. ■ Vote por Eoads. Messrs Campbell, Chapman, and Gould, waited upon Mr Jtollestou for the purpose of pointing out the want of roads through the Te Arohit and adjoining blocks. Mr Chapman as chairman of the Highway. Board asked that a vote of money should be given from out of appropriations for such purposes. , . Mr Eolleston took notes of the requests of the deputation, and promised to see what sums of money were available. Mr Percy Smith at tho request of the minister, took a memorandum referring to some alteration of road lines referred to by the deputation. The Railway and Telegraph Station, The construction of the railway from Hamilton to the Thames was urged by Mr Campbell. He pointed out the great advantage even to the Government in the ' increased value of the land if the line was laid to the head of navigation. In reply to a question from ilr Eolleston as to which end of the line, the Thames or Hamilton, the residents of Te Aroha looked forward to as a market for their produce, the universal opinion was in favor of the Thames. Mr Eollestou said it was only the want of money that prevented the further construction of the line, not any disinclination oo the part of tho Government.

The votes had been expended, and in the present financial position of the colony the Ministry did not feel called upon to further pledge its credit or undertake works requiring a large out-lay. He acknowledged the great advantage of a lino of railway, and believed that many years would not elapse before one was constructed through the district.

.Referring to the telegraph, the Minister said that the delay was caused by the obstruction of Tukukino to the road to the Thames, but, if the matter was not settled at an early date, he believed it was the intention of the telegraph department to erect a line from Hamilton, via Morrinsville to Paeroa and on to Kati'iati.

Mr Eolleston then asked the gentlemen present a number of questions relative to the quality of the land, the course pursued by the Waste Land Board, the prospects of the district &c, to all of which he received very satisfactory replies. Mr Gould, late of Canterbury, was understood to say that he would not exchange his land for an equal area in the South, and although much wheat would not be grown for years, yet the Thames lands were well adapted for grazing purposes. The land offered on Deferred Payments. Mr Eolleston, accompanied by Mr Percy Smith (Chief Surveyor), and Mr McCullough, then proceeded to look at the land thrown open for selection under the system of deferred payments. The land lies altogether upon the West bank of the. river between the present main road to Wai ka to and the Maramuru bush. A number of the sections are fair samples of the land in the block, especially that upon the west side, some being, however, entire swamp, growing large flax, while many are covered solely by tall fern. There are a number of very good allotments running down to the river, especially those close by the bush; while on the 'upper boundary, near the Waitoa township, one or two allotments are situated very suitable for men with small means. One of the greatest drawbacks to these allotments was the want of timber suitable for firewood, or fencing purposes— which fact was referred to by Mr McCullough at an interview with Mr Eolleston whilst at the Thames, and which was again brought under his notice when visiting the sections at present in the market. The suggestion was iuaie by Mr McCullough that the bush upon the reserve should be cut up into small areas of five acres each, which should be offered to the occupiers of the deferred payment lands and from which fencing wood -.could be obtained.

Mr Smith pointed out, however, that a portion of the reserve was included in the area claimed-by Mr Russell, but not the whole of the bush.

Mr Eolleston stated, in reply to Mr McCullough, that ho would authorise the cutting up of j.the bush land upon the reserve into small lots, and also that such bush laud as the Government held on the east bank of the river beyoud the native reserve would ako be placed within the reach of settlers having no timber upon their farms. Mr ijoileston appeared to think fclio land offered very fair quality, while it could not be classed as the best land, it was above the average. He staled as his intention to afford' every facility lor nu-n to occupy the waste lands, and should that at present.ofFered for sale bi> taken up in any quantity to at once throw open other blocks. He remarked that it appeared to him that only the inferior lands had been handed to the Government; that between native reserves and Borough and High School endowments the best portions of the land had been taken out of the blocks.