TAUPO.

Waikato Times, Volume XXX, Issue 2465, 28 April 1888, Page 2

TAUPO.

Tub Native Minister's Visit. — The Native Minister, with his private secretary, Mr Bates, and Messrs Lewis, Butler and Grace, arrived hero on Monday night by special coach, putting up at Gallagher's Lake Hotel. On Monday morning ho ro ceivod several deputations, both European and native, and later on drove down to Wairakei to inspect the newly-erected bridge over the Huka Falls and several places of interest, returning by way of Joshua's Sanatorium. On Tuesday the Native Minister and party, accompanied by Messrs W. Cussen and Grace, went over to Tokaanu, Mr D. Ferney's splendidly-ap-pointed new steamer "Tho Tawhara" having been chartered for the occasion. Thi; party loft Taupo at 7.-15, and after a really smart sun of 4A hours against a head wind nud heavy sea, reached Tokaanu, where the Minister met the chiefs of tho party who have for the last six weeks, most persistently refusßd to allow Mr Cussen to proceed with the work of the Rohe Potae survey. Having successfully arranged matters for tho peaceful carrying on of the work and effected the restoration of the instruments, tools, &c., which the natives had seized, the party re-embarked at 5 o'clock, the return trip being the fastest on record, as Taupo was reached at 5.5 p.m. Sir William and Lady Marsh, Mr W. Ware, engineer, late of Auckland, with Mrs Ware, also accompanied the party. Sir William Marsh, who is an ex-Governor of Mauritius, appeared greatly pleased with the scenery about this part of the world, and pronounced the view of Taupo with Ruapehu and Tongariro in the back ground, to bo one of almost unequalled grandeur. Tho Native Minister and Messrs Bates, Lewis and Graco left per special coach for Napier on Wednesday morning. Mr Cussen will return to the work of completing the survey of tho Rohe Potac in about a fortnight's time, the natives having asked for that time to consult with other natives that are interested in the work, and wore unable to bo present at the meeting. The natives are greatly pleased at Mr Mitchelson visiting Tokaanu, he being the first Native Minister who had dono so officially. The natives pressed for the appointment of a policeman for Tokaanu, and urged on tho Minister tho necessity for the immediate erection of the bridge over the Waikato River at Murangi. Tho present crossing is a vpry bad one, and especially dangerous in flood, and now that Tokaanu is coming into repute as a wonderland, it is quite time the Government moved in the matter. Mr Ware, mentioned above, was formerly in company witii Mr Jones, the contractor for the old dock in Auckland. Touhists.—Tourists are pouring in every day, sometimes two or three coaches arriving in a day.