EAST COAST NEWS.

Gisborne Times, Volume VII, Issue 380, 3 April 1902, Page 3

EAST COAST NEWS.

ME CAEEOLL AT TOKOMAEU.

(Times Special Correspondent.)

At the conclusion of the native meeting at Waimatatini the Native Minister, the Hon. J. Carroll, and party journeyed overJand to Tolago Bay, stopping one night at Tokomaru. Several residents of tho district waited upon the Minister at Tokomaru, and brought under his notice several matters of importance to that township. Tho mooting took place in tho Tokomaru Hotel, the following gentlomen being present:—Messrs McGavin, Oates, Smith, Hewitson, P. Mulligan, Pairlie, and Buchanan. With that hospitality so characteristic of tho East Coast, the good folks of Tokomaru drank the health of their King, and then that of their member in bumpers of champagne, and afterwards made known their wants. In welcoming the Hon. James Carroll, tho chairman of the meeting, Mr McGavin, said that the people of the Waiapu electorate were proud of their mombor, but regretted seeing so little of him. It was not every electorate that could bo represontod by a Cabinet Minister. From the general appearance of things, ho thought Mr Carroll would represent them for many years to como. Both toasts wore drunk with musical honors. Mr Carroll thanked the gathering for the hearty manner in which they had drank his hoalth, and also tho Chairman for the kind expressions he had given utterance to. He assured them that nothing occupied a largor space in the rogion of his ambition than to represent tho East Coast, with which ho was natively associated. At the same time, he felt that ho was hardly doing justice to those who formed his constituency, moro

especially in the outlying portions of the district. He felt that keenly as ho rode down from Awanui to Tokomaru. The ehort time at his disposal, however, prevented him devoting much timo to each place. Each centre made him realise that his constituents, at any rate in that part of the district, were a patient and long • sufloring people. The only ground that he could advance for his soening neglect of them was that one filling a Ministerial position as he did, was less capable of confining his attentions to one district the same as an ordinary member. A Minister had to attend personally, and otherwise to the claims of tho whole colony, and the seat of Governbeing so for away from their district naturally offered serious disadvantages to tho frequent visitations of their member. Ho should have liked to have had ample time to spare to do justice to each of the centres along the Coast, but he could not do so. It was said by someone that it was human to err, and members of Parliament were not exempt from that contingency that effected human nature. Ho sincerely hoped, howover, that his sins of commission or omission, might be contained within a small compass. At any rate they could accept tho will, if not the deed. If lacking the deed irf many instances, ho could assure them that their welfare

nlways held a prominent place in his mind. It was very gratifying to him to notice tho advance that the district had made since he last had tho honor of meeting them. It recorded an energy, industry and strong mindodness on the part of tho people living along the coast such as might well bo emulated in other places. Tho roads, certainly so far as he could see, were vory much improved. Although tho expenditure of the Waiapu Council was very large they certainly had something to show for it. The act of tho Council in borrowing a large sum of ruonoy to make the new road from Tokomaru to Tolago Bay, which necessitated building large and expensive bridges, was a bold and courageous step, and they deserved every credit for the consideration they had given to the travelling conveniences of the public. The general Government have been given grants in aid of roads for that part of the colony, such as one could modestly secure out of tho distribution of moneys appropriated by Parliament for expenditure on public works. He only trusted that the finances of the colony in the near future would bo sufficiently elastic to onable him to sccuro for them what should be more their due proportion. (Applause.) He lfad reasons to believe that special attoution would bo devoted to their part of the district from now onwards. (Applause.) They had had to make readjustments and rearrangements among tho Government departments, so that works suitable to districts such as the East Coast might rest on a better footing than heretofore. They had made one very important departure alreadv. They had separated the roads and bridges from joint control with tho lands and survey. This, he was certain, would be more satisfactory in results to tho general public. It meant that a special department had been created, purely and solely for the construction of roads and bridges in the colony. When that was in the hands of the Lands and Survey Department, things, as a rule, got mixed and confused ; in fact, there was too much to do for any single department to give justice. The attention of the Government was also being given to tho development of the Te Puia Springs, which were being taken away from tho Lands Department, and placed under the Tourist Department. This meant that they would in tho future receive special attention, instead of being as hithorto a minor item on the pro-

grammo of the Lands and Survey Department. He had seen Mr DoDne, head of the Tourist Department, at Wellington, nnd the latter had expressed regret that

bad weather had prevented him from travelling from Gisborne to the Springs, but he (Mr Donne) would do everything in his power to move the Springs along even although he could not personally attend to them. It was Mr Donne's intention to do tree-planting this year at tho brings on a large scale, and to the more substantial works year. This was, he thought, ver y reasonable, considering that they were now well on into this year, and they could not do much more than treo plauting. For that purposo Mr Donno intended to get from the Kotorua nursery all the shrubs, trees, and plants of the very best description which were suitable to this part of the country. (Applause.) In a very short time the work of tree-plantiDg at Te Puia would be completed. When he left Wellington Mr Donne informed him that ho was writing to Mr Gordon, who was at the Springs, to take care of the plants which were being forwarded, and to arrango for the planting of tho same. Mr Gordon, being on the spot, would see that tho shrubs wero not destroyed. It was intended that tho treeplanting at Waipiro Springs should bo done on a very extensivo scale, and when one looked at the bare surface of that place and the surroundings generally one could easily appreciate the movement in tho direction indicated. (Applause.) Continuing, Mr Carroll said that the Waipiro Springs could be made a most charming placo and eminently attractive to visitors. (Applause.) The Government ought to give every assistance in their power to develop the resources at the Waipiro Springs, and as soon as possible put tip some first-class baths there. (Applause.) Ho was certain that no work could be of greater importance to tho district than tho building of a first-class hospital at the To Puia Springs. (Applause.) The only other large matter that was under consideration at the present timo was the bridge at Tolago Bay. Ho thought that the travelling public would be very pleased if a bridge wero put over tho Tolago Bay Eivor. (Applause.) In regard to this matter, however, tho community there had not always been of one mind, one side of tho river being opposed to tho other. Thcro had not been that unanmity in regard to tho bridge which coull strengthen the claims for its construction. There was, howover, a prospect of a general decision being arrived at. Tho majority of the residents were in favor of it, and tho Government had signified its intention of helping them by subsidy, and otherwise if necessary. An | -< estimate was, he believed, being made of tho cost of the bridge which tho people there were desirous of having. Ho did not know what the delay was, but he would cei tainly look up the Department and make them hurry on with all possible speed, so as to put the information before those who were enterested, and thus enable them to act. The last matter that he would touch upon as affecting the whole district and being a colonial txiattoi: was the Question ot the

administration of native lands. This had always been a subject of the deepest interest to the people of the East Coast. He did not propose to give them the history of all former native legislation, for if he talked to them for twelve months he could give them a very poor idea of it. It was sufficient for him to say that all their work in tho past had been of a most unsatisfactory nature, and had. dlways tended to make confusion worse confounded than to bring any ray of hope to any European lessee or would-be purchaser. The number of persons who had dealt with native lands and to whoso door ruin had been brought time after time would fill a large page in the history of land transactions on tho East Coast. He believed, however, that they had now adopted a system under their Government legislation which would be moro equitable, and in the best interests of all, not only adjust tho differences that might exist between Europeans and natives in regard to land matters, but offer facilities for the lease of nativo lands or otherwise utilising them, which would bo a source of profit to tho owners, and give a sonco of full security to the tenants. Tho lands would become productive of rovenue and assist settlement. He had every reason to predict a great success for their new native policy. Any doubts which ho may have had in his mind as to its working had been removed by what had taken placo at tho nativo • meeting at Waimatatini. When they found about fifteen sixteen hundred Maoris, with the exception of

! about two or three, unanimous in accepting tho present legislation, and putting their lands under its administration to the extent of about 300,000 acres, one' need go no further for proof as to its ultimate success. lie found the natives very fair, very open, and desirous in every way to do what was right. (Applause.) All they wanted was confidence, and ho believed that that confidence had now been established. (Applause.) The Maori Land Councils marked a new epoch in tho history of nativo lands dealing, and ho believed would be more effective and less expensive than thoir institutions, such as the .Native Land Court and kindred bodies. The business at tho native meeting was carried out on thorough business lines. Tho natives indicated what they wanted as reserves round thoir villages and settlements, and also indicated what areas they required in localities for their own farming and stocking. They also made known tho areas that they wished to lease to Europeans. This made tho after work of the Council tolerably easy. The Council started, knowing what would be the permanent reserves to the Maoris, what they required for their own use and stocking, and what should bo cut up for the Europeans for settlement. (Applause.) With good men to carry out that legislation they had nothing to fear, and the Act provided that the Governor could remove or replaco any of the members of tho Council when ho deemed fit. So they could see at aDy time whether the Council required repairing in that direction through lack of energy or want of appreciation of the purposes of the Act. The only safe policy with tho natives was to have them with you. You must be able to create a confidence in their minds, you must make them feel that you are doing the best in their interests, and at the same you are endeavoring to do the same for your European brothers. The natives, continued Mr Carroll, have as many natural virtures innate as their Pakeha friendsr and by a proper control of their affairs and honest administration, there should be no difficulty whatever in administrating for one as well as for the other. (Applause.) Passing on Mr Carroll made brief reference to the visit of tho Premier to the Coronation ceremony. Ho also referred to the fact that tho financial year closed on March 31st, and he trusted that the- state of the finances would warrant special attention being paid to the East Coast.

In conclusion, Mr Carroll again thanked those present for their kindness, and assured them that, although he did not often visit them, he was with them in spirit and their welfaro was as dear to him as it was to themselves. For any lackness on his part he dared not ask their forgiveness, but merely wished them to understand that ho was only human

like themselves. Ho wished them all Kia-ora.

- The question of a recreation ground supposed to have been set aside as a native reserve when tho township was laid off was raised, and Mr Carroll pointed out that the land mentioned was privato property and could not be obtained. He promised to do his best to secure some other site.

Mr Oates brought up the question of a new cemetery, pointing out that tho old one (a native cemetery) was so full that at recent burials tho coffins had bumped against other coffins. Mr Carroll promised to arrange for a new ground. Tho question of the status of the caretaker at To Puia Springs being raised, Mr Carroll said that Mr Gordon bad done a great deal of good there. He was tho pioneer of the place and had provided accommodation for visitors. The property had boe)i taken under the Native Townships Act, and Mr Gordon had a lease of certain sections, and would no doubt always have the accommodation house there.

Some discussion took place with regard to the site for the new post office, Messrs Fairlio and Oates urging that it should be erected on a Government reserve near the present office. On the other band, Mr Buchanan, who represented Mr Macdonald, claimed that the site had already been decided upon at the corner of the road, further down the beach. It appeared that two petitions, urging diffoyent sites, had been forwarded to t> e Department.

Mr Carroll s'La that he understood that the fitter wag un der consideration, and me representations of both parties would be carefully considered before the site was finally selected. Other matters which Mr Carroll promised to attend to included the appointment of a constable to Tokomaru, and the holding of periodical sittings of the Court there. He also promised to see that the Government steamer Tutanekax was sent to Tokomaru to remove certain rooks which were dangerous to navigation.

WAIAPU COUNTY COUNCIL

The monthly meeting of the Waiapu County Council was held at the Council Chambers, Waiapu, on Wednesday Present Messrs A- H. Wallis, (Chairman), Henderson, A. B. Williams, T. S. Williams, and Sherwood., CORRESPONDENCE.

Mr Geo. G. Boyd, of Awanui, wrote . complaining that the County Engineer ( hai caused works to be carried on in , the creek running past his property ( which had resulted in the bank under , his house being partly washed away. He had been put to considerable expense, and unless some improvement was made by the Council he would be compelled to seek redress. He also took exception to the Council engaging day labor instead of calling, for I tenders.—Mr Henderson said that one could see very little of the work done by the Council or Mr Boyd, the recent rains having covered the goad with silt.—The Chairman thought that l'U Bovd had little cause to complain. The matter was referred to by the Engineer in his report. With regard to the question of day labor Council lor; had approved of all work which had been let. In answer to a request made by Mr Boyd that all woiks | should he' tendered for and advertised the Chairman said that most of the contracts were taken by Natives ado did not see the newspapers. he tcnI der-. were posted at certain p aces the district, and were seen by both Natives and Europeans. lhe communication was received. Mr P. McLoughVin applied for a progress payment of £ISOO on account of the Hikiwai bridge. . T THE PREMIER’S TESTIMONIAL. 'l'lie Greyniouth County Council wrote in regard to the Premier’s testimonial, making certain recommendations as to the- amount of the subs- | crij. lions to he collected, The Auckland Committee filso wrote forwarding a list fojr subscriptions. The Chairman said the list was pinned on the wall waiting for members’ signatures. A member : I see no names upon itThe. Chairman’s name ought to go first;'

The Chairman : I can assure you you will not see the Chairman’s name there Does any member desire to make any comments upon it ? A member : The least said soonest mended. . The next business was then proceed ed with. . ...

MISCELLANEOUS. A communication was received iiom the Government stating tiiat the amounts placed on the Estimates lor road works in the district would not he available for expenditure. Mr C Butler, of Awanui, wrote pointing out that the river was undermining the bank close to las house. He was frightened it would slip away unless something was at once done.— The Chairman said Mr Butler had cause to complain because the public road was between his house and the r j ver —The Engineer said he would not recommend the Council doing anything at present. He had inspected the locality the previous week. The matter was referred to the Engineer. Mr T. S. Williams, referring to work done on the Tapuwaeroa and other roads, remarked that there were a number of men employed, and there was very little to show for the outlay. He would oppose further expenditure except by tender, as he considered they lost a frightful lot o money in the day business. Mr Henderson brought up .he .question of telephone extension from Awanui to To Araroa, but the Council could not see their way to contribute towards the cost, as it was part- j

ly a private line. It was decided to instruct the Engineer to call for tenders for the formation of portions of the I-likiwai road. Leave of absence was granted to Mr Milner for that meeting. ENGINEER’S REPORT.

The County Engineer reported that the third I-likiwai bridge had been completed, and the fourth was progressing. Mr Oates had completed his contract for formation and also the repairs to the roads about to he metalled, with other repairs letwecu Tokomaru and Hikiwai. Mr McCracken had been engaged in repairing the road between Waipiro and Te Puia, 'and in forming the road between Te Puia and Mangahawini. He (the Engineer) had terminated the engagement with Mr O’Shea for work on the Tapuwaeroa road. Considerable damage had been done by the late flood 'in the Whareponga and Tuparoa roads, and also on the Awanui-Waiamatatini road. He had had some repairs carried out on these roads. During the month he had laid out and called for tenders for six contracts, and tenders would he placed belore the meeting that day. • ' TENDERS.

The following tenders were dealt with : Taurawharoua Track, Teti Koromiti, £4O 10s ; Te Poona £39 (accepted)* Okurawahu road, Teti Korowiti £97, ITornslow £96 18s, Walker and Smith £59 (accepted). Pakiakamri Track, Teti Korowiti £73, Hinepara £GB, Te Poona, I-luaki and Co. £35 (accepted). Hikiwai road, McNeil, 3s 9d per yard, £7B 7s 8d ; Armstrong £B9 15s, McDaniels, 3s 3d per yard, £67 18s 6d (accepted). Hikiwa! - road, McNeil, 3s lid per yard, £7l Is 8d (accepted), McDonald, 4s 3d per yard, £77 2s 9d ; Armstrong, £ll2j

THE WAIOMATATINI HUI. DESCRIPTION OF DANCES. (From Our Own Correspondent.)

The hui at Waiomatatini concluded on Thursday, and the natives havo returned to their homes. The gathering was the most important ever held on the East Coast, and tho assemblage of natives the largest and most representative. The Hon. James Carroll spent nearly a week at Waiomatatini, and was accompanied by the following notables: Wi Pere, M.H.R., Ru Rewiti (Major Kemp’s son-in-law), Takarangi Mato Ilingi (Wellington) Dr Poruare, Ihua Hutana (Hawke’s Bay), Ti Tupara (Rotorua), Haumopu (Wanganui), Pere Nikitini (Otaki), Kumara Papakia (Wellington), and many other chiefs. The party landed at Awanui from tho Omapere and rode direct to Waiomatatini, being welcomed in true Maori fashion. Half a mile from the camping ground they wore met by a party of natives who hailed them most cordially, and with much waving of karalta branches and cries of “ Haeremai! Haeromai! ” escorted them into the reserve which was roped off for tho dances. Everything was carried out in the most orderly manner, and intense enthusiasm was manifested in the proceedings. The series of hakas given in honor of tho visit of the Minister and party was the finost ever seen in New Zealand, the whole beirtg under the supervision of Apirana Ngata, who for weeks past had devoted his time in instructing the natives. The first dance was performed by eighty or more Maori maidens, the chosen of the East Coast, who were attired in white with broad bands of crimson ribbon crossed over the breast and tied loosely by the side. The girls also wore blue bands of ribbon round the forehead. They were led by a native woman, an expert at the game, who was robed in a very handsome shoulder mat, and carried a fine mere. Tho dance was most graeefuily performed, the time was excellent, and the interest of the spectator was held throughout. The words of the welcome were as follows: “ Welcome into tho midst of Waiapu ye visitors from afar, that our eyes might be opened to the law that is come to us. Wo welcome the "law that will restore to us life and happiness.” The natives taking part in tho hakas were grouped, and as one lot finished their dance, they fell back, and those in the rear earns through to tho front. Tho secoud haka comprised native women of a more advanced age, who were prettily dressed and went through the dance with great spirit. They also extended a warm welcome to the visitors, and caused great amusement by ringing a gag on the Honorable James Carroll, chiding him with having so long put off his visit to them. Their invitations had, they said, in the past always been met with the reply, “Taihoa, taihoa,” but at last their eyes had seen their fondest

wish realised. They welcomed to Waiapu those who had been in Wellington, the latter place being termed the birthplace of all laws. At the word of command, the women wheeled back, and there came before the view of the spectators what was perhaps the finest sight ever seen on the Coast. Upwards of two hundred stalwart warriors, stripped with the exception of a red cloth round the body, performed a special hakacomposed by Xgata. The men when first seen were in a stooping position, the body being supported by the left hand, which was on the ground, whilst the right hand was pressed on the muscles of the left arm. The Natives all wore raukuras on the head, such as adorned the warriors of old when they went forth to batt'e. The picture was a most impressive one, and was greeted with an outburst of applause from the spectators. At the word of command from the leader, they sprang into action, the ferocity and fierceness of the display striking the spectators with astonishment and wonder. The dance was splendidly executed, the time being perfect. The elder warriors gave way to the young men, who wore similarly attired. Among the latter was Apirana Ngata himself, and ho was one of the keenest participants. This young chief occupied the third position in the front row, and entered into the dance with great vigor and enthusiasm. The haka had a significant moaning, and in language more forcible than polito strongly condemned all previous native legislation, whilst it referred to the Native Councils Act and Land Administration Act as the new light that had come upon the native race. The grimaces and hissing of the natives in the dance wore most wonderfully porformed, and charmed the spectators. The time was accurate, and the whole movements were executed in a manner that was most interesting. The special dances over, there followed a grand and united haka welcoming the whole of the pakehas to Waiomatatini, from the North, from the South, from the East, from the West. The haka further conveyed the fact that the hearts of the natives were glad because of tho hundreds and thousands of people who had come ■into Waiapu. After the dances, following an ancient Maori custom, the" visitors to Waiomatatini for the first time paid their respects to the relatives of the late Major Roputa and other East Coast chiefs who have passed over to the great majority. This took the, form of a tangi, during the course of which a number of dirges were sung. The relatives of the dead chief dressed in deep mourning assembled in the porch of the meeting house, whilst the visitors, with bowed heads, stood about twenty yards off. The photographs of the deceased chief were shown, as well as others relics of the dead. The Native Minister and party were first to take part in the tangi, and tinre were great manifestations of grief on Loth sides, weeping and wailing being carried on for about twenty minutes, Mr Carroll stood with his hat drawn over his face throughout tho ceremony. The various tribes 1 afterwards wont through the same ordeal, and all showed great sympathy in the proceedings. The ceremony was deemed somewhat strange by the Europeans , present, more especially as a considerable time has elapsed since the death of the chief mourned for took place.