Visit of the Hon Mr Rolleston.

Thames Star, Volume XII, Issue 3822, 29 March 1881, Page 2

Visit of the Hon Mr Rolleston.

The Native Minister arrived by the Eotomabana last evening, and immediately proceeded to the Government Buildings, where he was engaged till a late hour dealing with departmental matters. Mr Eenrick brought before his attention many matters touching the goldfield. A number of gentlemen saw Mr Itolleston on matters of private business. TISIT TO TUKTJEINO. Mr Eolleston, accompanied by Mr Geo. T. Wilkinson, left at an early hour this morning to visit the IComata settlement. At Hilcutaia the Minister was met by Messrs Austin, Thorp, aud others, who accompanied him to the native settlement. Here a large number of natives were assembled. Cries of " Haere mai! Our Friend, Welcome Pake ha," were both loud and long, and the pleasure at seeing Mr Eolleston seemed genuine. Many speeches were made, but the language was, as usual, 'capable of several meanings. The speakers represented themselves as living in the dark, suffering from blindness, and want of aid, and assistance, and especially such comfort as their honorable friend the Native Miuister could give them. Mr Jiolleston, who is well veused in Maori matters, replied through Mr Wilkinson in a similar strain, expressing a willingness to render them assistance and to aid them in removing any disabilities they were laboring under. Tukukino also spoke, but touched on all sorts of subjects but the Komata road. In face all the speakers carefully avoided saying much about this subject. Mr Eolleston then told them in plain terms his intentions, aud the earnest, straight-forward tnanuer -of the Native Minister appeared to surprise these simple children of the Komata. There were very few remarks made upon Mr iiolleston's statements, and after the usual leave-taking, the Minister with his party returned to the Thames. Mr Eolleston leaves by the Rotomahana this evening. VOTES TO TUB COUNTY. In addition to the £300 given by Mr Eolleston to the County for the improvement of the road to Coromandel, several other sums are likely to be granted from the vote for roads and tracks in goldfields. The Warden has, at the suggestion of Mr Eolleston, drawn up a schedule of works requiring attention, with the approximate cost of each. The memorandum will be laid before Mr Eolleston this afternoon, when it is probable authority will be given to proceed with the works.