MINISTERIAL TOUR.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1452, 10 February 1885, Page 2

MINISTERIAL TOUR.

Wellington, Yesterday, The Minis'erial party were entertained at a public banquet on Friday evening last, the County Chairman presiding, and Mr Menteath, M. H. R., being in the vice chair. There were between fifty and sixty persons present, including Messrs Levestam and Seddon, M.H.R.’s, The speeches deliverd were of the usual con* gratulatory character, and the affair was very successful. On the fo lowing morning the Premier and the Minister of Mines visited all the principal mines, and were shown through the woraings. They returned to Reefton in the evening. Deputations were received on local public affairs. In the evening the Premier delivered a public address to an audience of between three and four hundred persona, the County Chairman again presiding. On the platform were Messrs Menteath, Seddon, and Levestam, M.H.Ra. The Premier for an hour and a half spoke upon general politics, but did not allude to local government. The whole of the address was well received. Mr Seddon next addressed this meeting, speaking for over an hour. Ha combatted some of the statements of the Premier, but in the main expressed the fullest approval of the policy of the Government. Mr Menteath, M. H. 8., la moving a vote of thanks, said he had een taken by surprise at the evident drift and tendency of the address. He bad certainly not come prepared to meet' anything like a direct attack upon himself.

He hinted, however, at the possibility of a dissolution at no distant date, and said the people would do well to be on their guard. He was compelled to believe that the Premier’s address was designed to undermine his (Monteath’s; influence with his constituents, and this he resented as being inappropriate to such an occasion. The Premier disclaimed any such intention, and treated lightly the suggestion as the possibility of a dissolution. The present Ministry, be said, were not going to be got rid of so easily. Several amendments were 'proposed to the mbtion, the object of which was to add a vote of confidence in the Ministry to that of thanks to the Premier for his address. This was eventually carried, but many of those present did not vote. There was a good deal of comment at the close of the meeting upon the adroitness of this Ministerial move,’ and the opinion 1 was pretty widely shared that i{b was in sbrpe respects an abuse of the occasion.

J February 9. j The Minister for Public Works baa had a busy day in the district. He went to the Bluff this morning, where he was interviewed re harbor and municipal end on - meats, Bluff cement, and other subjects. On his return he was interviewed on many subjects, the principal being the railway charges by measurement on the port line from the Bluff. It was urged Q-000 tons were imported direct, that oiujr , Pott ohalmer ’ as against 16,000 tons . .

to Invercargill Harbor daring the y6*f, *— , consequence of the high rates charged on j the Bluff line. The Minister promised to ( give the question full consideration, anu , that it will be dealt with oq itg merits. A deputation 're thb Sfeaferard ‘Busfi Jine said LII,OOO had been placed on the estjmates for the railway, and they wished to know when tenders would be called fop another contract. Mr Richardson said a portion of the money was being spent, and when the present contract was comp eted orders for platelaying would be called for. At Riverton the Minister wa!s interviewed on fi number of lockl and general questions On his return to Jn? vercargill, M f Richardson received a deputation on district subjects, which occupied him till 9 p.m. He leaves for Queenstown to-morrow morning.