THE MINISTER OF LANDS.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XVI, Issue 4997, 9 April 1895, Page 2

THE MINISTER OF LANDS.

By Telegraph.-Own Correspondent.

Maxgajiaiioe, Tuesday. Tho Minister of Lands, accompanied by Mi- Hogg, M.H.lt, Mrs Hogg, and Mr Duncan McKenzie, were met at Mauriccville yesterday by Messrs Heckler, P. Gl'eeson, H, 1). Dagg and W. Jcsseii, and driven over the Mount Baker Block, as fains the residence of Mr Piatt, where llic parly had limcli. Before returning, tho Minister received a largo deputation ot settlors, headed by Messrs Cooper, Hushandand George, who urged the completion of Barton's Line, pointing out Unit it formed the direct road from Alfredton to Mauriccville and Mastcrton, and would reduce tho distance for travelling stock by seventeen miles. Tho Minister replied that lie would see whether the money was available for the work, but he was afraid that although the estimated cost (£200) was not large, it would have to be provided for in the Estimates. The weather was line, and the driyo over about thirty miles of a well graded and formed road gave the visitors a capital view of tho new settlement, including part of the Pioneer block. In the evening the Minister was entertained at dinner in Cottis' Hall, where an assembly of fifty settlers gave him an enthusiastic reception. Mi-Heckler- presided and Mr Guilderboh occupied the vice-chair. After tho usual loyal toast, the Minister coupled with " Our Guests" was proposed in very complimentary terms by tho Chairman, and responded to by the Hon. J. McKenzie, who expressed great pleasure at the evidence he had witnessed that day, of true pioneering work done by the now settlers. The Parliament of New Zealand and "Our Member" followed, and Mr Hogg in responding, said the last Parliament was acknowledged by Sir George Grey, to be one of the best he had ever witnessed, and the present if anything, was an .improvement. He went on to say, that he was proud to represent Mastcrton, becanso of the settlement that was going on, and amidst loud applause he emphatically denied that his district had been unduly favoured with public works by the Government, or that he supported them on that account, it was time that great improvements had been made, but the roads and bridges were chiefly the work of the entorprising landowners who had borrowed the money and saddled themselves with heavy taxes. " Tho Agricultural and Pastoral Interests," proposed by Mr Abbot,was responded to by Messrs.Alex. Stewart and W. Jesson. Other toasts followed and I various songs' were contributed, the party breaking up at midnight. The Minister and. his friends during their stay we're .entertained most hospitably at the homestead of Mr Heckler, the son of an old Otago. settler, with whom tho Minister has had an almost lifelong acquaintance,