THE KING COUNTRY CHRONICLE. FRIDAY, JUNE 5, 1908. THE PREMIER'S VISIT.

King Country Chronicle, Volume II, Issue 85, 5 June 1908, Page 2

THE KING COUNTRY CHRONICLE. FRIDAY, JUNE 5, 1908. THE PREMIER'S VISIT.

THE definite information that the Premier, accompanied by the member for the district, is to visit Te Kuiti on June 17th, will be received with satisfaction throughout the district. The telegram conveying the news also states that it is the Premier's intention to proceed to YYairere and conduct the opening ceremony at the Mokau bridge. Such an event is greatly to be desired, and the settlers will require no urging to use every endeavour to make the visit to Mokau possible. However, we would point out thai in view of the difficulties of transit, there is a possibility of the trip- to YYairere being deferred, and the settlers oi that district would do well to provide for meeting the Premier at Te Kuiti. It is but fitting that a suitable reception should be provided for the Dominion's Prime Minister, and no time should be J'ost by town residents and settlers in uniting to that end. Some time ago committees were set up io undertake the necessary preparations and arrange for certain

matters to be placed before the Premier. Mutters should thus be in train to meet the exigencies of the occasion, and with a re pre- | sentative public meeting on Saturday evening, Te Kuiti residents should be in a 'position te: make the detail wurk oi the committees an easy matter. It is to he hoped that the country representative:-, will unite with the town residents and, whether the visit to Wairere takes place or not, co-operate with the object of voicing the sentiments oi the whole district in no uncertain manner. The interests of one are the interests oi all, and it is natural there should be a common meeting place. It the Premier proceeds to Wairere, the visit will probably be a hying one, and in order to have the outlying settlers represented in a worthy manner, the opportunity of attending the gathering at 1 e Kuiti should not be lost. It is gratifying to notice that the Councillors of the Waitomo County are to meet on the day preceeding the Premier's arrival, and doubtless the local body will take a prominent part in the reception. The event is not merely of local importance ; the whole country is intimately interested in the reception. Te Kuiti happens to be the rallying point, and as the engagements of the tour necessarily limit the time of the Premier, it is not too much to ask the settlers to assemble at a convenient place to discuss matters pertaining to the different localities. An important feature in connection with the visit is the fact that the proposed deviation of the Oiiura railway will form one of the subjects for discussion, and it is to be hoped that the advocates of the rival routes will attend in force. It was hoped by the Ohura settlers that the Premier would pay a special visit to their district, when the railway question be thoroughly in the circumstances, such a happening is apparently improbable. No better opportunity of having the matter thoroughly ventilated is likely to occur, and by seizing 'the visit to Te Kuiti as an opportune occasion those interested will be well advised.

LAND BOARD AND SETTLERS. Probably no public body is of so great importance to the settlers as the Crown Lands Board, and the recent visit of the members of the Auckland Board to our district is of value to both settlers and the Board. So much depends upon the members having an intimate acquaintance with the local conditions surrounding every application that comes before them, that a wide knowledge of their district is indispensable to the equitable adjustment of the Board's business. Excuses could readily be iound for the members not touring the district during the winter months, and it is all the more gratifying that Messrs Harris, Trounson and Armstrong have elected to come to the district and brave the bad roads when conditions are approaching their worst. Such a course of action tends to inspire settlers with the confidence that their position will be understood, and whatever grievances they may have will be sympathetically considered.