THE PREMIER'S RETURN.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 627, 2 October 1909, Page 7

THE PREMIER'S RETURN.

DEPARTURE FROM AUCKLAND. ' THE SCENE AT. THE HAILWAY STATION. (B»- Tclccrapb.-l'rM!!.AfiscieJti'tlori.i .\< , : • ; Auckland, October 1.. The. Prime Minister and party, and .the other Ministers who have boon in Auckland during the, past few days, lrftfor; Wellington by:this evening's express;. The Prime Minister's party consisted of Sir Joseph and Lady Ward, M iss Ward, Mr. Gladstone Ward, Master Vat Ward, Miss Seddon, Miss Rubi Seddon, Messrs. J. -Hislop and F. : G. Matthews "(private - secretaries), Mrs. Hislop, and Colonel Collins (Secretary .to the Treasury). The other Ministers who took ■ their. departure ■ wero tho Hons. J.. Carroll (Nativo Minister), J» A. Millar (Minister for Railways), and G. Fowlds (Minister 'fo. - Education). '.'■■''■, "■,'•'."■

■■I /A largo drowd of people had gathered on the platform, and as the train was about to leave cheers were given for the Prime Minister, accompanied by the singing of "For Ho's,a Jolly Good : Fellow." Sir Joseph, standing on the platform ,of his carriage,' acluiowledged the compliment by saying, "Thank you all. ;-Kia ora, Ma ora. Good-bye, nil." The guard's warnings, "All seats,"please," was the eignal for further cheers, which were renewed as the train moved off. . • ; . . ■

A number of malcontents had gathered out-' sido' the fenco opposite the Prime Minister's platform, and they made an attempt at a counter demonstration,, but the effort wee lost in the sound of the cheering on■ tho platform.'

. : A MAOEI WELCOME. - (By TeleEraph—Press Association.) ' , .'■■' ''■... Aucklartd; October 1. A deputation consisting', of- Messrs.: Henare Kaihau, M.P., Ksingi, and.Toro Murumurn (a Kangitikei chief), accompanied by the Hon. J. Carroll, and Mr. V?. T. Jennings, M.P. !or Taumarunui, waited upon the Prime Minister (Sir. Joseph Ward) to-day to welcome ; hinj-bact to' Auckland, and congratulate him on his successful mission with.regard to;the Imperial .Conference. . Characteristic , Maori -' speeches ;W«re made by the' Maori,' representafives, and Sir. , Joseph suitably.responded. . He mentioned that he had met :the Maori troupe now touring America,while in N-ew-.York, and ; had- succeeded in having removed, certain'disabilities under which .they were .working. These Maoris hod asked him to oonvey greetings to ..the :Natives, of New Zealand, U]nd had ■ infomed ■him' that they .wero'anxious'to get• back.;-' I : :C,IViC : WELCOME. IN; .WELLINGTON.. ■;%'Sir; Joseph .Ward will'be.met at the.railway station: this afternoon by members of the City Gouhcil,-on, the arrival of-;the, Main : 'Trunfe express ot : i.2s.'We understand that. the Mayor, before leaving foT'Napier on'lmportant business, asked the-Councillors'to join Jiua' in welcoming tlie Prime. Minister'on his! arrival, • which'was expected to take'place on ; Monday, neit. When it became-- known..''that s Sir Joseph .Ward -would, bo here, it;.:was too late for Dr. Newman to rearrange. Us .business so as to return-to tpwnihtime to ,meot him. The senior.councillor. (Mr.' J. P., Luke) will, therefore welcome'. Sir on behalf.' of the Mayor. ■■■ ;'.*.","''".'■■ .'