KING COUNTRY AT WELLINGTON.

King Country Chronicle, Volume III, Issue 166, 21 June 1909, Page 5

KING COUNTRY AT WELLINGTON.

Delegates' Doings.

The habit contracted o? recent years by King Country residents of tripping to Wellington during the sitting of Parliament is in danger of becoming a popular craze, after the manner of pingpong. or golf, or walking contests. Only last week there were settlers from Ohora, Paemako. Mairoa. and various other out districts treading the Parliamentary carpet, and, let us hope, instructing the Government as to our needs, and impressing them with the importance of our district. It must be confessed the why and the wherefore of the exodus to Wellington were matters deep and weighty, though the manner in which the advocates of the rival routes foregathered, and even, it is rumoured, pledged each other in something stronger than water, precluded any idea of personal antagonism. When the rival deputations met in the Premiers! room, it was noticeable that Irish eloquence was relied upon by each of th ♦ parties. There was little to choose in the matter of eloquence, and the speakers were generous foes.

Several queer stories are floating round as to what transpired immediately following the pronouncement fixing Ongarue as the point of connection. It would take a more eloquent pen than the writer's to describe the tumultuous joy of the Obura settlers, and the deep but sternly repressed feeling of the devtattor.ists. However, the spokesman for Ohora came to the rescue, and the loving cup that was provided was none the less heartily drunk because all the party could not share in the joy to the utmost. As a matter of fact so heart? was the pledge, or so unusual the bcvcrage.that something happened to even the non-combatants. Exactly what transpiredd history has yet to record.hut the fact that Mr Bor'die missed the train is significant. It would be painful to enlarge on the subject. We all have our moments of weakness. Besides there are many reasons why a train can be missed. However it is to be devoutly hoped a little thing like that won't be a bar to future trips'. Although Mr Bodde was a non-com-batant in that matter of the Ongarue —Stratford railway there were other railway questions for him to deal with, and right well did be accomplish tb* task. Worthily also was he supported by tfec other settlers present. Tte Te Koiti station and yards were depicted to the Minister for Railways in moving language, and we have visions of a new station with the roof on top. and turned front on to the platform instead of shamelessly exhibiting its back door to travellers. There is also a possibility of new trucking yards being erected away from the centre of the main street, and capable of holding more than one sheep at a time.

A pleasing feature of the railway deputation was that the requirements ofOtorobanga were not overlooked. Our settlers' patriotism is not of the parochial order, and they are evidently living op to the knowledge that in order to accomplish the greatest good for the district we most join bands and help each other loyally. Mr Boddie did not forget that be was Chairman of the Te Kuiti Chamber of Commerce, and his invitation to the Hon. J. Carrol to visit the district as the g«est of the Chamber was a master stroke. Mr Carroll is a gentleman whom it is a pleasure to meet, either as a member of the Government, or as a private citisen. As Acting-Premier and Native Minister, there is every reason why Mr Carroll should be welcomed to Te Kuiti. white his genial personality as a private citizen assures to him a welcome for his own aafce.