THE MINISTERIAL VISIT.

Kumara Times, Issue 2635, 16 February 1885, Page 2

THE MINISTERIAL VISIT.

Precisely at the specified time, 6 p.m. on Saturday, the Hon Robert Stout, Premier of New Zealand arrived from Hokitika at (he Kninara Borough boundary. He was accompanied by R J. Seddon, Esq., M.H.LI. The Mayor and Borough Councillors and a largo number ot business people and miners, accompanied by the Brass Band, proceeded at about 5 p.m. to the boundary, the Band playing from Drummond’s Corner “The March of (he Men of Haarlech.” On the arrival of the Premier, as before slated, near the foot of Sandy’s Hill, the Acting Town Clerk (Mr G. R. Rudkin) read the following address : To the Hon. Robert vStout, Premier of New Zealand. Sir—The Mayor, Borough Council, and residents of Kuraara desire to offer you a most cordial welcome to this district, and trust that your visit here may prove at once pleasant and profitable; and at the same time earnestly hope that you may gain an insight into the wants and requirements of this important goldfield that yon may be enabled to form a correct and equitable opinion of what is really required from your own observation, and that this district may receive that justice at the hands of the Government which has been hitherto denied it. Geo. Robert Rudkin, Town Clerk. Kmruuu, February 14 ; 1885.

The Premier made a short reply expressing his great gratification at the manner in which he and his colleague had been received on the West Coast of this island. Loud cheers were given, and then the whole party proceeded to town, the Band playing “ Bonnie Dundee,” “St. Patrick’s Day,” and “ Wait till the Clouds roll.” On arriving at Stewart’s Hotel, where the Ministers are putting up, the Premier delivered another acknowledgement of thanks at the hearty reception accorded him. In the evening the Premier delivered a lecture at the Theatre Royal. There were four to five hundred people present, the fair sex being but thinly represented. His Worship the Mayor occupied the chair, and on the platform were Peter Dungau, Esq., M.C.C., F. Barrowman, and several members of the Borough Council—The real subject of the lecture was “ What is democracy ? and what should be the aim of democrats ?” The lecture was listened to with profound attention and at its conclusion, a hearty vote of thanks for the address was accorded, and also a vote of confidence in the Stout-Vogel Ministry. Yesterday the Premier visited the local Hospital, and expressed himself highly pleased with the conduct and arrangements of the institution. In the evening the Premier took a drive out with Mr Seddon through Westbrook. Mr Larnach, the Minister of Mines arrived in Kumara last evening, accompanied by Mr John Bevan, M.H.R. He remained at Hokitika on Saturday in order to visit the Humphrey’s Gully workings. This morning Ministers visited the St. Patrick’s and State Schools. They were accompanied by Messrs Bevan and geddon, Esqs., M.H.Rs., P. Dungan, Esq,, M.C.C., J, Gow, Esq,, and a large number of other gentlemen. At the Catholic School an address was presented by Miss Bessie Phelan on behalf of the children. The Premier said he was pleased at seeing the children look so clean and happy; he hoped they would be kind and obedient to their parents and attentive and industrious at school. He was sure they were receiving a good education at the hands of their teachers, and he hoped they would duly appreciate their efforts to procure them a good education. He thanked them most heartily for the kind address they presented him. He looked upon the appearance of the children as an indication of the industry of their parents, and he hoped the children would hereafter requite the parents for the sacrifices they were now making to secure for them the training they were now receiving.—The children then gave three hearty clappings for the Premier. Mr Larnach also thanked the children for their kind address; he hoped when they grew up in life that the girls would not all aim at being governesses and sempstresses, nor the boys at being all bank clerks ; but those having a taste for mechanics should follow that sphere of life, and those having a bent for literature should cultivate their talents in that respect. He concluded by asking the teachers to give them a holiday. He again thanked them for their kind address, after which the children gave three hearty clappings, and then sang the New Zealand National Anthem. The party then went on to the State School, and the Premier and Minister of Mines addressed the children in the various departments there, the Premier also questioning the elder boys and girls in history and other subjects. He advised them to be attentive and thankful to their parents and teachers. Before finally leaving the following entries were recorded in the Visitors’ Book : Visited the School, and questioned the various classes. Tire school is well taught, the children shewing by their answers that their intelligence has been trained. The order and arrangement of the school are excellect. Robert Stout, Minister of Education. February IG, 1885. I am much pleased with what I have seen and heard to-day in connection with the conduct of this school. W. J. M. Larnach. February IG, 1885. I have great pleasure in adding my testimony of approval to the foregoing. J. Bevan. February IG, 1885. The whole party then walked up to the diggings, about two miles, and returned to town shortly after three o clock. After partaking of luncheon they will receive deputations; and in the evening the banquet and ball will take place.