The Premier's Visit.

King Country Chronicle, Volume II, Issue 87, 19 June 1908, Page 2

The Premier's Visit.

TO THE KING COUNTRY. At Taumarunui.

The lion. Sir Joseph Ward, Prime Minister, arrived at Taumarunui on TueMi'ay evening from 'i'aihape. The Chairman and several members of the Town Board met the Premier at Makatote. and on the journey to Taumarunui placed several matters of local intere-i before his n- aice. Upon arrival at the township the party proceeded to Meredith, where the Premier received deputation- until <S o'clock. Taumarunui re<iuesis : A deputation of ladies, comprising Mcsdamcs Ward. K.endcrdme. Hixon. and Laird, made an urgent rctiucst tor a European school, and Sir Joseph promised to represent the ease strongly to the Ministry. A rcqucsl for a post-office, elicited the reply that arrangements for obtaining the necessary site had been completed, and the building would be proceeded with.

ddie Town Board drew attention to the tenure f( the township, and urged that steps should be taken to make an alteration and place the residents upon the same fool in;;' as those in oilier new places. It was pointed out (hat a large amount of municipal work had to be done, and loans were required in order to make reasonable progress. In order to provide for this an alteration of the existing state of things was neeessarv.

The Premier promised to fully consider the position, and, whatever action was necessary in order to adjust matters equitably, would be taken by the Government. He would confer with the Native Minister with a view to action.

Mr Laird laid betore the Premier the necessity of having a courthouse established, and received a promise that the Minister of Justice would be requested to make full enquiries on the matter, with a view to granting the request. The matter of having restrictions with regard to the introduction of liquor removed, was introduced by Mr Riches, who suggested that as Taumarunui was likely to become an important tourist centre, an accommodation license should be granted. The Premier sfab.d that no licensing legislation would be introduced during the coming' session, but the matter would not be lost sight of. Ohura deputation : Messrs Loveday, Hunt, Williams, Sandison and Hyde presented a request from the Ohura residents urging the commencement of work at the Ongarue end of the Stratford railway. Sir Joseph said that until the Main Trunk line was completed no further work would be undertaken, but as soon as the main line was finished, there were a number of branch lines which would receive further consideration. The Stratford-Ongarue line was on that list, and the request would be remembered.

The question of roads was also introduced, and the necessity of l'urilier expenditure on the Ohura roads was strongly represented. The Premier requested the deputation to furnish particulars of the works required, and said he would endeavour to meet the request of the Ohura people as far as possible. Mr Lyon made an application for a subsidy for a medical man for the northern end of the Ohura district, and Sir Joseph promised to advise the subsidising of a doctor to the extent of £IOO for two years. Manunui requirements : Mr Foster, Chairman of the Manunui Liberal and Labour Federation, and others, placed before the Premier the neccs-? sity of establishing a railway station, post-office, and goods shed ; also the opening up of more land for township sections, and provision for reserves. Sir Joseph said if the traffic on the railway warranted a station, the Government would provide it; a •public post-office would be provided. Steps were now being taken to open more land for the residents; and the recommendations of the deputation would be fuiiy considered. The Premier delivcicd a speech to a crowded audience in the Public Hall in the cvenine, ihc Rev. J. E. Ward, Chairman of ihe Town Council, presiding- Sir Joseph dealt with the progress of the district, the Main Trunk railway, the roads question taxation, the Socialistic iniluence, the financial p> -.-i; c -n and dcicnoc mailers in an able manner. \l the conclusion a vote of thanks to tim Premier, and of eoniideiice in ihe adininislr.ition, was proposed by Mr 1 .angmuir, seconded by MrClarid",e. and carried by acclamation.

Mr Jennings. Member for the district, in response to :i unanimous call, made a short address on the progress of the place and the necessity of expenditure of' public money on roads and oilier important requirements in the march of pi'oe.ress. The Member called (ov ciuvis for Sir Joseph Ward, which were luarlily rendered, and were supplemented by spontaneous cheers for Mr jennine,:-. After the addass, the Premier attended a public social in the Hall, and was subsequently entertained at a slipper by the local blanches of the Liberal and Labour Federation.