THE MINISTER OF LANDS.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XVI, Issue 5000, 13 April 1895, Page 3

THE MINISTER OF LANDS.

IN THE BUSH SETTLEMENT!

The Minister of Lands visited Maknri on Thursday morning last, He was accompanied by Mr A. W. Hogg, M.H.R., the Minister's Private Secretary, Mr D. McKenzic, the Mayor of Pahiatua (Mr J.Vile), and Mr R. H. Reaney, Government! Engineer. The weather being fine, the party had a fine view of tho now famed Makuri Gorge, the Minister expressBing himself surprised and delighted with the scenery, Tho sulphur springs were also visited, and several of the settlers were interviewed, including Mr Milne, at Ngaturi, and Mr Freeman, who has erected a very nice residence just outside the Makuri township. , A substantial lunch was served up at Host Tucker's Makuri Hotel, after which the visitors had a ramble over a mile or two of tho MakuriAohonga horse-track, From the hills —when are of limestone formation,

and covered deeply with a rioh chocolate loam—they were ablo to see the Puketoi range and a largo area of well-settled country.

Messrs Dunning, Wilson, Cookburn, and several other residents met the Ministor and pointed out some of tho urgent requirements of tho district, the principal thing urged being the widening of tho Makuri-Aohonga track into a dray road. Among the recent improvements which wore inspected, was tho Recreation Ground, which is substantially fenced, and a large portion cleared and grassed. Tho ground is (surrounded by very pretty bush, including a number of small waterI falls, and it is intended to preserve these pieces of choice scenery. On tho return journey the 'Minister and Mr Hogg crossed the Miikuri River near the site of the proposed bridge at tho foot :of tho To Aupapa Saddle, and from thence, after calling at the homesteads of Mr Ross and Mrs Swan, made their way via Kaitawa to Pahiatua, which they reached shortly after dark. Next morning (Friday) the Minister and Mr Reauoy, escorted by Mr C. Hall, M.H.R., and Mr Taylor, J.P., proceeded to Mangatainoka and Woodville, Mr Hogg returning to Masterton.