Visit of the Premier.

Kawhia Settler and Raglan Advertiser, Volume IV, Issue 365, 19 June 1908, Page 2

Visit of the Premier.

When I ho news that Sir J. G. Ward would visit Kawhia was made known there was general approval, fur it was thought that much good woo Id result therefrom. This trip "as arranged fur Thur-dty lost, »he 18tb, and tbe Premier did arrive in the town, but only st «ycd h<jur>, so that not much time was allowed for public business. This gave offence to many deputations, some havifig come from Kirifehnre, Ruapnke, Te Mata Awaroa, Kinohaku aud other phos, but could not be heird, all that was placed bef *re Sir Joseph being put by members of the’osJ bodies. The trip was very hurried, aud not in accordance wit’) what wai wished by the Premier himself.*

Word 'was sent that the party would need to beat the Ferry at 4.30 p.m. otherwise lj\e tide would be too low to come down the River, Two launches went up to that place, and after waiting some time it was decided to bring (hem below the shallows. The uue that was being towed took the mod at 5 o'clock, and until after 8 there it remained, those on board (nunfbering six) having a most unpleasaut wait, as this weather is not too warm, more paticularly without overcoat?. Thy party got to the Ferry at 7.20, and there had to wait for an hour and Kawhia was not reached until 10,30 p.m.—instead of 5 o'clock as anticipated. Dinner was partaken of at Hotel Moana aud after 11 o’clock the Premier went to the bull for about an hour, after which he sailed in the s.s. Waitangi. Accompanying Sir Joseph was Messrs Greenslade and Jonnings, M.’aP., a private secretary, attendant and two reporters.

There were a large number of people on the wharf to meet tho Premier, where he wtß formally welcomed by Cr Jonathan, chairman of the Kawhia Town Board, and tho Hou. W. W. M'Cardle, M.L.C. Au adjournment was made to Hotel Moaoa, where an excellent dinner was peovided, the catering being ably carried out by Mrs Perham, aud.tbe decorations aud tables artistically attended to by Mrs Chase. The chair was occupied by Cr W. Shaw, Chairman of the Kawhia County Council. O .ving to the late hour there were only two toasts “The Premier," aud “The Chairman ” Sir I Joseph- very briefly thanked those preI sent tor their reception aud hospita - 1 ity, and intimated that be would re- | turn to Kawhia later on. Au adj-iuro- ■ meat was made to tbo public hall, ■ whore thoto was a very large attendance. Several matters were brought under tbe Premier’s notice by Mr M'Cardle, M.L.C-, Cr Jonathan aud Dr C. Campbbll Jonkius, but tbe whole business was so hurried that justice could not be done to a single subject. When it was seveu miuutes to midnight, the Premier announced that he bad only that time to remain and he would like to say a few words before he departed, m reply to the subjects put before him. It was a matter of regrot to him that be was unable, through pressure of time, to hear a!| the deputations, bat be would suggest that they be all set out in writing aud he would undertake to give every one close attention. In connection with native lauds, he was conversant with the general position, and the Government was trying to alter the whole system, so that the locked up lands could be utilised and become a benefit to all. At present there was a Commission sitting and after investigating the blocks it was decided to pat the whole of what was not required on the market, half freehold and half leasehold. The Commission had already dealt with a large area of land, and anticipated dealing with 75,000 acres before the end ok December. The Dominion was on the ove of having a huge problem solved. In connection with a subsidy for metalling roads: It was starnge that tbe Government, who raised the money for the local bodies, should be asked to subsidise it, as it would mean paying twice over. The idea was impossible as it would mean borrowing a double amount of money, and the re-adjust-ment of the whole of tbe main fiuance of tbe Dominion. This year Parliament was to be asked to raise «q extra £250,000, for five years to be used wholly aud solely in making backblock roads. Relative to a Cottage Hospital for Kawhia : Kawhia County was in the Waikato area, and be felt that the difficulties of getting to Hamilton must ba great, and jhe hospital was very desirable, but they could not get out of tbe Waikato rate. If au application was put in it would ba fully considered by the Government wbj gave a subsidy of 24s for eycry pouub. Another idea was to appoint nurses up to a certain amount, which ; had been done before. He recognised ; it was very essential that Kawhia ’ should bo provided with something i that would be of assistance when I needed. Tho question of metalling j voids camo before Parliament ! every sushi >n, and this year the j matter would be gonj iuto again, ■ as . ven now reports were being made i as to requirements. But all those re : quiremeuts could not possibly be met, ! as tbe Dominion could not borrow mire than a reasonable amount of m nay. Tbo Govern meat w is decided i on the question of helping setters in i tbo back blocks, who could nut be I ignored, and he thought it of tbe in >st > vital importaucs that they sb mid have • every considerate >n. Reiativa to tbe m dtor of tho railway between the ! Main Truuk Line and tbe Ktwbn II rbour: So far ths Govern neat baa j not indicated what new railways were I to ba built, as when the Main Trunk : wat completed there would ba still left I 18 lines under construction. These < should bo completed, as he wis op- i po .cd to the system of starting a li is and completing it when one w u ,duxd and gone- When the question uf railways was beiuj dealt with he would d<j i

what he could in the matter. (At this stage the last whistle of the Waitangi sounded.) Sir Joseph hastily concluded by thanking all for their at tendance, and expressing tbe hopa of being able to re-visit Kawhia later and putting in a cjuple of days. (Applause).

McT. D. Hamilton proposed a vote of thanks to the Premier for bis retn irk <, and o? con’iuued confidence in ib-j Government, which was carried by a big majority. The wharf was lined when the Waitangi departed, cheers being given for the Premier.

AT THE FERRY. Whilst tbe Premier was waiting at the Oparau Ferry Mr Sbakespear, who had just ridden in, was introduced to him, and laid before Sir Joseph the necessity of starting the road from where be then was to tbe railway. This could'bj accomplished, said Mr Shakespeor, by completing tbe KawaNgatanui Road. There were only 2| miles to construct and one bridge over tbe Waipa Rive to erect, which meant a saving of 12 miles. Mr T. Bnrd, District Road* Engin eer, who was pre-ent, corroborated this statement, and further added when asked that the cost of construction w mid be light—not more than £2OO a mile, as it was through open country. Sir Joseph to »k notes and pr imised to make enquiries. Mr Geo. Whitcombs approached the Premier to have Oowern’s house, at Rakaunui, made a p 'st office and telephone bureau, as also did Mr Symonregirding his house at the Ferry. The reply was as above. From the tones ot Sir Joseph’s reply we chink that tbe requests were favour ably received, but h) promisedjnothing detiuate until be had reporeg from his offices.