THE PREMIER'S VISIT.

King Country Chronicle, Volume II, Issue 86, 12 June 1908, Page 5

THE PREMIER'S VISIT.

Meeting at T-3 Ivjili

A public meeting v.-as hrld in the Hall. Te Kuiti, 0:1 Saturday evening last for the purpose of receiving the report a': the Committee elected to prepare a schedule of subjects to place boo/re the Priemier, and also to consider matters in connection with the Premier's reception. There was a good attendance, and Mr J. Bcddie was tlrcted to the chair. In a few remarks the chairman outlined the business of the meeting, and trusted that all the residents of the district would unite loyally to make the visit of value to the district. The report of the Committee was then submitted, the following subject being recommended for consideration : —Te ICuiti Post Office ; roads, including the matter of subsidies for the main Te KuitiAwakino road, and the township streets ; roads through Native lands ; township tenure ; railway. matters ; river straightening and willow eradication. In connection with the railway matters, a special recommendation was made that Te Kuiti residents be requested to support the" deviation of the Taranaki-Auckland railway from Ohura to the Main Trunk line, and.to co-operate with the country settlers affected with a view to mutually agitating for Te Kuiti being made the point of connection. It was decided, upon the motion of Mr Ormsby, seconded by Mr Bevege, that the report be received, and the Committee thanked for their work.

The various matters, which had recommended, were then dealt with.

Post Office: Mr Ormsby proposed, and Mr Bevege seconded a motion, that the Premier be requested to secure the post-office site in Rora Street and build immediately. An amendment by Mr Phillips,. seconded b3 r Mr Walsh, that the Premier be requested to take the site under the Public Works Act was negatived ; and the motion carried.

Township tenure: Proposed fry Mr A. C. McCardle that the Premier be urged to have restrictions removed from township lands. Seconded by Mr Ormsby, and carried.

Roads : Mr McCardle said he would like to see the Te Kuiti-Waitomo, Awaroa-Mahoe, Mangapohue, and Hauturu roads included in the report, and moved a resolution that this should be done, the motionjfceing seconded by Mr mover said the settlers interested were prepared to metal their own roads, but wished to have them formed, and the completion of these roads should be urged upon the Premier. . After discussion, during which it was pointed out that it was desirable not to overload the Premier with applications which could be otherwise dealt with, it was decided to confine the road applications to what were considered the most urgent works. The Chairman stated that a deputation from the district referred to would bring the roads mentioned before the Premier's notice, so both objects would be accomplished. Subsidies: It was decided, on the motion of Mr Phillips, seconded by Mr Plier, to apply for a subsidy for the Te Kuiti township loan.

The matter of roads through Native lands, railway deviation, and straightening of Mangapu and Mangaokewa rivers, were accepted as recommended in the report of the Committee. Mr Plier drew attention to the stoppage of traffic through the railway station to the sections on the western side of the line. The courthouse and all Government buildings were situated directly behind the station, and it was a matter of walking round about half a mile, when by having access through the gate to QueerStreet, the distance was only a few yards. Mr McCardle supported the previous speaker, and drew attention to the fact that at present people going to the station had to trespass on the line, and to close the gate at the back was farcical.

It was resolved to bring the matter before the Permier. Several other matters were mentioned by various speakers, but, in view of the amount of business to be transacted, it was considered advisable ; to confine the deputations to the most urgent requirements. The following were elected as a. Committee to undertake arrangements in connection with the reception : Messrs Boddie, Elliott, McCardle, Pine, Somerville, Ormsby, Jordan, Sims, Darrow, Hine, Phillips and Franklin.

Arrangements for Wairere Visit. The arrangements for the Premier's "visit to Wairere are now complete and the party is expected to return to Te Kuiti between six and seven o'clock in the evening. Some doubt was entertained as to the time of the Premier's arrival from Taumarunui, but it is now understood that the party will come by special train arriving about 9.30 a.m. The Premier will be met at the railway station 1 by representatives of both town and country committees / and will proceed on the journey to Wairere without delay. The bridge should be reached about 1.30 p.m., and after a short stay the return journey will be commenced. If time permits the country deputations will place before the Premier requests in connection with roads, railway deviation and increased mail service?. In case of time allowed for the journey being exceeded, these deputations will accompany the Premier to Te Kuiti, and wait upon him during the evening. Town Arrangements. The Committee will receive the Premier upon his arrival at the railstation, and extend him a formal prior to his departure for Wairere. . In the evening the various deputations will wait upon the Premier. Arrangements have been made to secure the new hall for the Premier's public address, after which a banquet is to be held in the old hah. The price of the banquet tickets has been fixed at 10s 6d. and the catering has been undertaken by Mr E. Kerr.

In connection with the Premier's public address, an expenditure of about £5 is necessary, in order to put the hall in order, and the Committee

has decided to ask the business people of Te Kuiti to guarantee the amount' necessary. A considerable number of visitor;! from other districts is expected, and deputations from the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce and the Raglan Gounty Council are to be present, and probably representatives from other King Country centres will also attend in force.

An endeavour is to be made to induce the Hon. J. Carroll, Native Minister, to accompany the Premier. Mr Hine forwarded the invitation by telegraph on Thursday, but hitherto no reply has been received.