POLITICAL

Gisborne Times, Volume XIX, Issue 1605, 18 November 1905, Page 2

POLITICAL

MR CARROLL AT WAIPIRO. to Gisborne Times.) Waipiro, last night. I There was a crowded attendance at the | meeting heid here to-night by the Hon. James Carroll. The speaker was acoorded a most enthusiastic reception. Mr W. O’Ryan presided. The speech was much on the lines of Mr Carroll’s previous speeches, though special attention was paid to the native lends polioy of the Government, details of which were gone into at length. Referring to the Te Puia hot springs, Mr Carroll said 11 1 have been asked whether a lease bad been given to tbe Gordons, and as I was not aware of it, and expected that as member for the dietriot I would have been notified of any I such action, I of conrßQ answered no. But I was wrong, and afterwards found that the Lands Department had given a lease to tbe Gordons, and had not said anything to me. Te Puia township is a Native township. There are certain reserves which they set apart for a site without any payment. There are hot springs there whioh attracted tbe attention of travellers and visitors, and the Gordons went there and put up an accommodation house. It served a great want and enabled travellers to put up there. The Gordons applied to tbe Lands Department for a lease that would help them to put up a better aocommodation house. The Department gave them a lease of one acre, and they put up another house suitable to the times. Now, I have been trying for years to get the Tourist Department to take over this place and spend money there and utilise the baths, whioh, as far as the medical properties are concerned, are perhaps tbe best in the colony. The Tourist Department said that while the plaoe was leased, they oould do Dothiog. Very well, I said, arrange compensation, And take it over. That has been dono. When they get it, they will improve it, so that it will be one of the : scenic spots on the East Coast. Now, what is the grievance ? Nothing more than that. I said there was no lease, because I did not know antbing about it." Mr Carroll’s remarks ou this question were muoh appreciated, the claims of Mr and Mrs Gordon to compensation being fully recognised. Passing on Mr Carroll dealt at considerable length with the measures passed into law by tbe Liberal Government, all of whioh he fully justified. On the motion of Mr Sherwood, a hearty vote of thanks was accorded the candidate, and a hearty vote of thanks to the chairman, terminated a most successful meeting.

MR CLAYTON AT WHATATUTU, C

Mr Clayton addressed the electors at Whatatutu lost evening. There was a large attendance. Mr Hegarty occupying the chair. Mr Clayton severely criticised the Government polioy. He took Mr Carroll's arguments, and dealt with them [ seriatim, tbe comparison being all in favor of tbe Opposition. In referring to Mr Carroll’s meeting at Patutahi, the candidate said he (Mr Clayton) was not an actor craving for effeot, tbe recipient of photographs and flowers, A vote of thanks was j unanimously aooorded the oandidate, a I vote of thanks to the ohait concluding the meeting. Mr Clayton addressed tbe electors at Motu on Wednesday, and at Wbakarau on I Thursday. All the meetiogs were largely attended, and the cmdidato was well received.