The Ministerial Visit.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume III, Issue 416, 13 February 1890, Page 3

The Ministerial Visit.

PROMPT ACTION TAKEN.

Citizens are awakening to the importance ot being prepared to urge the wants of tha district when tha Hon, Mr Mitohelaon and the Hon. Mr Richardson pay Gisborne a visit. At the meeting of tbe Harbor Board on Tuesday night Mr Dickson informed the Chairman ot tha wish of a deputation to interview the Board, and, permission being given, at the proper time the following gentleman were introduced—

Messrs Dickson Messrs Rosie J. W. Smith Finneran' Maynard Ross Harding W. Morgan Lewis Pettie Whinray Humphreys Friar F. Hall Akroyd McLernon Brace Adair • E. Smith Matthewson Magujre Mr Dickson said that a meeting bad been held in connection with the contemplated visit of two Cabinet Ministers to the district, and a deputation bad been appointed to meet the Board to request that the local bodies take joint action in representing to the Ministers the many wants of the district. Mr Gannon had been appointed Chairman of the meeting, and also spokesman of the deputation. Mr Gannon said there had been, on very short notice, a meeting called of business people in town, recognising tbe importance of taking advantage of the visit of two Ministers whose special functions in the Ministry were really special to this district, the visiting gentlemen being the Minister for Native Affairs and the Minister for Land’, Native affairs and tbe question of land settlement were recognised to be of paramount importance to this part of the colony. The deputation knew that the citizens could do little themselves without approaching the publio bodies and that whatever was to be done must be done through those bodies. The Board was one of the most important local bodies, and as they were meeting that night the deputation had taken the opportunity to interview them. Those present had resolved into a Committee, not to dictate to the local bodies, but in the belief that by such organisation the hands of the local bodies would be strengthened. The main matters that had occurred to them as requiring attention were those of land settlement, native land laws, and Harbor Board matters, Including that of an endowment and the sinking fund question, things in regard to which the Board would have the best knowledge. In reply to the Chairman Mr Gannon said they could not be certain as to the exact date of the arrival of the Ministers, but they believed it would be in about a week’s time. The Chairman said the Board would be only too glad to act in harmony with the other bodies or those appointed to make the proper representations to Ministers. The interests of the members of the Board were identical with those of the citizens and settlers, and at the conclusion of the ordinary business the Board would consider what action would be taken.

Mr Matthewson, on behalf of tbe deputation, thanked the members of tha Board for their courtesy.

On the form of a reply being considered Mr DeLautour said he thought the proper course would be to leavo ij to tha Chairman Jo qqll a meeting when the time of tha intended arrival of the visitors was known. Aa they were first going to Wsiroa there could be a short notice. He would move—" That the deputation ba informed that the Board will have much pleasure in co-operating with them in urging the public requirements of tbe district before Ministers at tbeir expected visit to the district," He also pointed nut that the questinn of finance was one which he thought the Board should be specially prepared to gaake representations The motion was carried unanimously.