Mr Rees in England.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume II, Issue 260, 14 February 1889, Page 4

Mr Rees in England.

AN INTERVIEW WITH WI PERE. When Mr Wi Pere passed through Lyttelton on his way homewards a reporter of the Christchurch Press interviewed him, and gleaned the following particulars of his doings in London and his impressions of the place. On arrival in London Mr Bees and Wi Pere were received by Sir Dillon Bell, the Agent General, who gave them every assistance, and Mr Bees had several public meetings in the St. James’ Hall, one at Shoreditch, and one at the Alexandra Palace, all of which were very largely attended. There were preliminary meetings at which Mr Bees and Mr W i Pere explained the plan of the colonisation, which is as follows:—Messrs Bees and Wi Pere are trustees of over 200,000 acres of Native land in Poverty Bay which belongs to several tribes, who had asked them to obtain money to improve the land and get it settled. They wanted a number of small capitalists first, and secondly, some of the laboring class. The whole would number about 2000. The last public meeting was held at the Westminster Hotel, and was presided over by the Marquis of Lome, and a Committee was appointed on which Lord Aberdeen requested to be placed. Everything was going on splendidly until the announcement in the Times of the receipt of a cable from Sir H. Atkinson to the English G overnment in answer to a question which was asked if Messrs Bees and Wi Pere had the authority of the New Zealand Government to their scheme. This telegram, which was in the negative, had the effect of putting a damper on the project for a time, when the Committee decided to carry on the project on their own responsibility. This, Mr Wi Pere says, they seem to be doing, as he noticed on arrival nt Dunedin that the first batch of settlers had sailed. Wi Pere says that he was very much astonished at Sir Harry’s cable, as both he and Mr Bees had thoroughly explained the whole project to the individual members of the Cabinet before leaving for England. The scheme was notrfor any private motive, it was for the benefit of the colony. Mr Bees at various times had been asked the question about the authority in London, and Wi Pere says that he sought out Sir Dillon Bell, who said he gave the scheme his support as the Government representative, and it was not necessary to get the New Zealand Government’s authority. The chief centre of this new settlement will be Gisborne, and the land on which the settlers are coming to, Wi Pere adds, is splendidly adapted for carrying on agricultural pursuits. The following conversation then took place:— Beporter—What brought you- out before the scheme was fairly afloat ? Wi Pere—The climate was so much against me, and I caught a cold, which was affecting my system. There were dense fogs for about three months, and the sun was not seen for weeks. The mid-day in London was just like a New Zealand dawn.

Beporter—What did you think of the country ?

Wi Pere—The country is very well. I was very much surprised to see so large a population, as also the great works which are carried on. What struck' me was that such an intelligent race should exist under such a cloudy atmosphere and seem to thrive upon it. Beporter—Are you glad to get back ?

Wi Pere—Yes; there is no place like New Zealand that 1 have seen.

Beporter—Did you see any of Warbrick’s team ? Wi Pere—l saw Warbrick. He was still Buffering from his leg. All the members of the team were in good health, and were very pleased with the kind reception they had received in different parts of the land. They are thoroughly enjoying themselves, and are very much admired by the English people. Warbrick says that he will be in New Zealand again in April next. The tour has been a financial success.