THE MINISTERIAL VISIT.

Kumara Times, Issue 441, 23 February 1878, Page 2

THE MINISTERIAL VISIT.

Sir George Grey and party appear to be meeting with a hearty reception wherever they go on the West Coast. At Greymouth the banquet last night was a great success, upwards of a hundred gentlemen sitting down to table, and the proceedings being most enthusiastic. In the course of his speech, as reported in the Grey River Argus, Sir George said:—'* Eleven years ago he found here, where formerly only a few wandering Natives were located, the nucleus of a thriving community of industrious and energetic citizens, and it had fallen to his lot to be able to re-visit them under different circumstances. He found a difficulty in sufficiently expressing his admiration of the spirit and energy which was betrayed' in every direction by the inhabitants of this district, whom he might term his god-children. He had been deeply impressed with his rece})tiou, and could scarcely realise that iu the shoit space of time duriug which the district had been colonised so imucli ha-1 beeu done to create so thriving a community." If Sir George Grey was astonished at the progress made by Greymouth, we wonder what he will say to Kumara ? To-night the Premier addresses a public meeting at Gieytnoufch, and it is his intention to inspect the State School and address a few remarks to the children on Monday morning, prior to his departure for Kumara. Sir George Grey and party proceeded, to Reefton by special train yesterday morning as far as Brunnerton, whence he was driven in a buggy by the County Chairman.

The arrangements in Kumara • are now completed and we venture to predict that, if the weather continues fine, the reception on Monday forenoon will be worthy of the occasion. The members of the various Friendly Societies—Foresters, Oddfellows and Hibernians—will meet at their respective Lodge-rooms prior to taking part in the procession. His Worship the Mayor, by advertisement, requests the public to observe Monday as a public holiday.

[By Electric Telegraph.] SIR GEORGE GRE7 AT REEFTON. Reefton, February 22. Sir George Grey and party left Greymouth at 7.30 a.m,. arrived at Oinotutwitu and inspected the salmon ponds, and proceeded on to the Coa! Pits, where a pair horse carriage was waiting. Mr Guinness, Canity Chairman, then drove Sir George Grey on his npcountry trip, th<i rest of the party proceeding by Gilmer's coach. Near tlie Ahaura, the Premier was met by a cavalade of abont forty horsemen from the Arahura and vicinity, Mr Reeves on bphalf of the people of the Ahaura, welcomed Sir Ge n-ge Grey, and after three hearty cheers tfi.e party pr/>c«eded on their way, arriving Jat the Ahaura at 11.45. Sin.Gso.i'g3 : G':;< j y received'a deputation Consisting-of Cwiv •'.fifty oi the inhabitant-, headed by Mp Rich >rd Reeves: this gentlemen brought the

. . __ = /following matters under the Premier's J notice, first, the necessity of at once (.proceeding with the t-reetum of a bridge over the Ahaara. Sir George ininformed the deputation that'he would telegraph instructions at once to have the necessary plans prepared for the Nelson Creek and Ahaura Bridges, and Further said that prompt steps woald be taken for bridging the Grey river. Mr Reeves then brought under his notice the necessity that existed for better postal communication between the east coast and Ah aura and Hurunui Sir George requesting more information by letter. This Mr Reeves' promised to furnish. Sir George also promised to see about establishing a central laud board for the Grey Valley. Several other matters were touched ou, and the deputation withdrew after warmly thanking Sir George Grey for his courtesy, remarking at the strae time 1 hat had the people in the district had earlier intimation of his visit a much larger number would have availed themselves of the pleasure of interviewing the Ministerial party. I The visitors then proceeded to a most sumptuous luncheon, provided by Messrs Gilmer Bros., after which a start was made. Ab'iut 70 horsemen accompanied the Ministers to the Junction of the Little and Big Grey rivers, where they were met by Mr Brennan, the chairman, and members of the Inangahua County Council. The Ahanra detachment, -after refreshing the inner man, gave three hearty cheers and returned homewards, Sir George and his party proceeding to this place, where they arrived at half-past six o'clock, receiving a perfect ovation from the whole of the population. There is to be a banquet to-night at Gilmer's Hotel at 10 o'clock. In the interim Sir George will address the electors at the Oddfellows' Hall and receive deputations. The party proposes starting again for Greymouth to-morrow morning at eight o'clock.