THE ACTING-PREMIER ON TOUR.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2587, 23 August 1909, Page 5

THE ACTING-PREMIER ON TOUR.

STEWART’S CROSSING BRIDGEOFFICIAL OPENING. ( (From Our Special Correspondent.) There was a splendid flood of sunshine in the Nuhaka Valley on Saturday, and nature smiled auspiciously upon the important ceremony that was to be performed by the Acting-Prime Minister in opening the new bridge at Stewart’s Crossing. The Minister and party left Wharerata at 7.30 o’clock on Saturday morning, and after a tedious journey, owing to the heavy state of the roads in places, arrived at Morere at 11.30 a.m. After lunch, the party set out for Stewart’s Crossing, and it needed no one to tell that something unusual was about to happen, for the roads that converged on the crossing were crowded with travellers, in vehicles and upon horses of divers shapes and sizes. There was a large assemblage at the bridge, it being estimated that fully 700 people were present, and the faces of all seemed to reflect the pleasure felt at the triumph of man in achieving victory over a dangerous crossing, that has long borne a sinister reputation from the heavy toll of human lives it had exacted. The lirst part of the ceremony was the march, past of. the Nuhaka Native School fife and drum band, 16 strong, under the conductorship of Mr. M. South. The little fellows, hatless and bootless, and wearing a red serge uniform, gave a most creditable performance, and put everyone in a good l humor for the big ceremony that was to follow. There was a large ,and representative gathering of the leading residents of the surrounding district, including Mr. W. D. Lysnar, Mayor of Gisborno. In the absence of the chairman of the Wairoa County Council, Cr. J. L. Bowler, of Mahia, presided, and said that the large attendance proved the interest the residents took in the important ceremony that was to be performed. He had received apologies from the Hon. R. McKenzie (Minister for Public Works), Hon. A. T. Ngata, Cr. A. Sinclair (chairman of the Wairoa County Council), Mr. Mason Chambers (chairman of the Hawke’s Bay County Council), Messrs Vigor Brown, M.P., vV. A. Barton, S.M., and DeG. Fraser. Mr. Bowen thanked the Hon. James Carroll for attending the ceremony, and added that the bridge would not* have been erected hut for the help Mr. Carroll had given to obtain the Government subsidy. The Minister said he was pleased to come to More re to open the bridge, for the large gathering assembled was proof of the interest the people of the district took in the opening of a structur© that would prove an inestimable boon to th© district. Roading and bridging were important in the opening of a young country, and New Zealand was yet a young country, developing with great strides. One thing would strike the observer, the settlement was being pushed ahead with strength and virility. The Government recognised that progress was necessary and was prepared to hasten progress as rapidly as finances would allow. The Government was always ready to assist the settlers, as the structure that was to be opened that day showed. Stewart’s Crossing was a dangerous ford, that had exacted a heavy toll of deaths, and the 'v the bridge was ready for use was indeed ar day of blessing for the district. He had been, asked to give the bridge a name, and he had endeavored to find a name that would be acceptable to the people of Nuhaka. It was considered advisable to always retain Nat-

ive names, if possible, and names that served to recall historical associations. The first event of importance at Nuhaka was the opening of the bridge at the mouth of the river. That bridge had been named Kahungunui, after the chief from whom all the tribes of tho North Island had descended, thus representing the common father of all; and the name stood for the beginning of things. Then came the intermediate stage, and the next event of importance was the establishment of the Null aka dairy factory, which had been called Kahukuranui, after the son of Kahungunui. Then they came to the bridge which was being opened, and he had decided to call it Rakaitaka, thus continuing the line of ancestry from grandfather to grand-son. (Applause.) The Minister then declared the bridge open, and Mrs. Sinclair, wife of the chairman of the Wairoa County Council, with a handsome pair of silver scissors, presented by Mr. P. McLaughlin (contractor for the bridge), cut the ribbon, amid cheers from the large crowd. Brief congratulatory speeches were then delivered by Crs. Bowen, J. Pow--1 rill, and D. Shaw, and Mr. J. D. Ormond. Mr. Bowen then called upon ■he Mayor of Gisborne to speak. Mr. Lysnar, w r ho made a capital speech, said that the interests of Wairoa were identical with those of Gisborne, and ho desired to share in the rejoicing over the opening of such an important bridge. There were many matters and interests in which the two districts might pull together, and he referred to the necessity of combined action to repel the invasion by the rab- • 'ts. They were fortunate in having such valuable assets in the places of resort at Lake Wailiaremoana and the Morere hot springs at their door, and it would well repay the district to develop those places for the attraction oi the tourist. The rapid development of the country would soon warrant the construcion of a railway between Napier and Gisborne, , and it was desired that Mr. Carroll should use lus influence to have the remainder of the survey completed. He considered it a matter for congratulation that they had their member, the Hon. James Carroll, present with them as the Acting-Premier, and he, Mr. Lysnar, was also pleased to be present at the important ceremony of the opening of the bridge.' „ ~ A. photograph was then taken of the official party, and a procession was for' med ana marched over the bridge, after which the ladies of the district provided afternoon tea for the assembly. Three cheers were given for the contractor, Mr. P. McLoughlin, the engineer, Mr. Leslie Reynolds, and the Hon. James Carroll. Mr. Reynolds stated that the bridge was the first bridge that he had anything to do with that had been completed before contract time. Tho time was not no until September 22nd, and die bridge' had already been in use a month. Mr. Reynolds also paid a compliment to the clerk of works, Mr. L. J. Crawford. THE NEW BRIDGE.

The bridge erected over Stewart’s Crossing is a substantial structure, consisting of three spans of 96ft 6m in length, and covers a total length oi 296 ft. The structure is of iron bark, on trestle piers, the height of tho decking above low water is 40ft, and the total cost of the bridge was £4303 ; the money being found by the M a>roa County Council by;special loan, helped !) V a Government subsidy. Tho cage and -wire rope formerly used at Stewart’s Crossing was sold by

auction by Mr. Hooper, for the Hawke’s Bay Farmers’ Co-operative Company, and realised fair prices. If is interesting to note that the auctioneer had to wait until after the football match, Mahia v. Frasertown, was over before ho could get a crowd. In all, 130,000 superficial feet of timber and 30 ton s of iron was used in the construction of the bridge, the ironwork) being supplied by Messrs J. *. Niven.and Co., Napier.’ The chairman, in a brief speech, paid a high tribute to th© jvork of the engineer, and the contractor, Mr P. McLoughlin.

DEPUTATIONS. After the opening of the bridge a large deputation of Nuhaka Natives waited upon the Minister to bring several local matters under his notice. Among the questions discussed was the development of the dairying industry in he district, and they asked the Minister’s assistance to have the Whai station cut up. They also stated, that roads were badly needed. The conference was held in trjje Native fashion, th© Maoris sitting around. The conference was of about an hour’s duration, and Mr. Carroll promised to carefully consider all that had been said, te stated that he was prepared to provide £SOO to purchase dairy cattle if the Natives would give the trustees power to make the purchases, as the Natives had not sufficient knowledge of dairy cattle to buy for themselves; A deputation consisting of Messrs J. Richardson, Benton, and Shaw waited upon tho Minister to ask that the Maraenui road be extended, and jwinted out that by extending the road the settlers at Tarewa would be within 8 miles of the crossing, whereas now they had to'go a distance of 18 miles around by road. The Minister promised to do all he could to have the request acceded to. In replying to the request of the Natives for roads and bridges, the Minister pointed out that if they were to get these benefits they would have to agree to be taxed the same as Europeans. If they would do so they would then have a vote in the returning of members of local bodies. .The Natives intimated, that they were quite agreeable to that course, and* asked that the Government take over the remainder of the Whai estate in order that it might be cut up to give a fillip to the lagging dairying industry. The Acting-Premier replied that the granting of the request depended upon the possibility of taking over the land. If the price was not too high, so as not to have to charge tenants too high a rate, he would be quite prepared to take over the estates.

THE RABBIT PEST—A CONFERENCE. In the afternoon a large number of sheepfarmers met at the Hot Springs Hotel, when a conference upon the rabbit question was held. Mr. J. L. Bowen presided, and stated that the Wairoa and Morere farmers ha-d taken advantage of the presence of Mr. W. D. Lysnar, who was keenly interested in the question, of conferring with him on the subject. Among those present were Messrs Powdrell, E. Coop, R. Coop, J. Richardson, N. Mclntyre, Benton, W. Tait, J. D. Ormond, and D. Shaw. Mr. Lysnar detailed the steps that had been taken by the Gisborne branch of the Farmers’ Union to cope with the possibility of a rabbit invasion into the Poverty Bay district, and said the question called "for combined action among the sheepfarmers of the Cook, Waikohu, Opotiki, Wairoa, and Whakatane Counties, in which was property valued at £8,000,000. He suggested that if a rate of |d per sheep was struck annually it would give a revenue of £6OOO, and if the Government would allot a subsidy of a like amount, it would be all the money required to check the pest and to construct a rabbit-proof fence. What had been suggested was

that a Rabbit Board should be set up, and the elected members to take what action they considered necessary to eradicate the pest. After the first year the Board could borrow the amount of money required, and only strike a sufficient rate to pay the interest and cost of administration. It was not fair that the poor man should be put to the expense of keeping down the rabbits should they at once get on his land, but by all the farmers combining they could tell the poor man to stand aside and they could eradicate the pest. Mr. Vincent Pyke had slated at a meeting in Gisborne that if the rabbits invaded Poverty Bay the policy of the Bank of New Zealand would be to call in all advances on the land. He (Mr Lysnar) urged those present to take tho matter up in earnest. Many people poohpoohed the idea of an invasion, but the danger was real, and they should get to work at once to form a Rabbit Board.

Mr. Tail agreed that the rabbits were a real danger, and they were increasing so rapidly that they had recently been found on the north side of the Nuhaka River, and as far north as l r aihua. If they were to be kept back the fence should enclose the south boundary' of the Wairoa River. Rabbits were prevalent at Mohaka, and his brother had started to fence his land, as lie considered it would pay him best to keep the pest out, as against the l a mag© they would do. After others had spoken, Mr. Mc"ntyre moved—“ That the settlers of the district heartily agree to the proposal to form a Rabbit Board.” The motion was seconded by Mr. Benton and carried unanimously. Mr. Tait moved—“ That owing to the danger of the rabbits spreading, Mr. Carroll be asked to place men at the Waihou River to keep them back. Mr. Coop seconded the motion, which was carried. The Hon. James Carroll was made acquainted with the motions that had been carried.

The Minister, in reply, said the queson had been put before him in Gisborne, and the subject threshed out. There was no doubt that the rabbits •were approaching, and the Government was alive to the position. The lon. R. McKenzie had only recently informed Mr. Lysnar that the Governmen was alive to the danger, and the Departmental officers would manifest alertness to check the pest in every Practical way. So far, the Minister for 'ublic Works had committed himself, and now he (Mr. Carroll) would take the matter up and accentuate the position, and make known to the Cabinet the fact that the rabbits were jubilating and were dancing on the borderland. The Chairman thanked Mr. Carroll for his reply, and the meeting closed. CONCERT.

In the evening a most enjoyable concert was held. The Acting-Premier presided, and songs were sung by Messrs R. Coop, E. Coop, Taylor, Gordon, Jefferson, and Strott, and Mr. W. J. libson contributed two recitations. AN INCIDENT OF THE JOURNEY. Tho Minister and party left Morere at 10.30 on Sunday morning, and had auite an adventure on their journey near Nuhaka. Mr. and Mrs. Carroll were ahead in their buggy, and when tho four-in-hand, in which the party followed, came upon them, they found the vehicle stuck fast in the mud. The

swingle tree had given way in the of the horses to shift the trap, was axle-deep in mud. 1 A party '.<» Natives speedily repaired the damagt*N and the journey was resumed. Th€* roadg between the new bridge and Nulaka were in a bad condition, caused by the heavy traffic in carting material to Stewart’s Crossing. At every kainga along the road the Minister s conveyance was stopped by the Natives, who had various requests to put forward. Mr. Carrpll oatiently listened to the diverse wants, and after each korero, proceeded on his journey, only to be pulled up again by the next party. At the invitation of Mr. J. M. Taylor, of Opoho', Mr. and Mrs. Carroll and party lunched at his residence, where Mr. Taylor had an excellent repast prepared. Wairoa was reached a(j 4.30 p.m. To-day tho Acting-Premier will rdj ceive deputations in the morning, anjijb he will attend a very large gathering* of Natives in the afternoon, when tM Native land policy and requirements will be discussed. In the evening a reception will be held, at which it is understood a presentation will be made to the Minister by the people of ’Wairoa.