PRIME MINISTER'S VISIT TO HELENSVILLE.

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 19 June 1912, Page 3

PRIME MINISTER'S VISIT TO HELENSVILLE.

LAYS FIRST JPIPE OF DEAINAGE WORKS.

BOWLING GREEN AND TENNIS

COURTS OPENED.

PROGRESS OF THE DISTRICT

The Prime Minister (Hon. T. Mackenzie) arrived in Helensville "by the 10.10 express train on Friday morning last, being met by the Chairman (Mr Jas. Stewart) and members of the Board, and a number of residents, and entertained to morning tea, after which he was busy with Departmental business till 12.30. After luncheon in the terminus Hotel, with members of the Board and townsmen, he proceeded to lay the first pipe in connection with the drainage scheme.

MrMunro "Wilson, engineer, who is carrying out the work for the Board, had one length of the concrete drain laid, and a length of pipe in readiness, which the Premier laid and cemented into position in a workmanlike manner, after being introduced by Mr Stewart to the large number of residents, who had gathered to witness the ceremony. Mr Stewart stated that the loan of LIOOOO, LSOOO for drainage and LSOOO for water supply, had only been finally approved on the 11th inst, just in time for them to avail themselves of the Premier's visit to lay the first fpipe and put the work in progress. ThM Pffcsuer after finishing his task, said tho pipe was well and truly laid (so the foreman of works told him), and was the commencement of works that were necessary to the progress of all rising townships, water and drainage being essentials. He congratulated them on their progressiveness and hoped the works would progress favourably and prove a blessing to them all.

Showing the progress of the district Mr Mackonzie stated that the population of the County of Waitemata. excluding Birkenhead, Devouport and Northcote, had increosed from 14,288 in 1906 to 18,414 in 1911, an increase of 31.68 per cent. Unimproved value had risen to £1,814,906, an iucrease, of £812 840, while improvements showed an excess of £673,870 over the 1806 figures. The capital value of the County was now £3,458,356, an increase in the period mentioned of £1,486,220, while he number of occupied holdings had risen by 94. The total area in cultivation in 1906 was 70,348 acres, while now the area was 84,429 acres. The number of horses in the district had ir creased by 747, and the numqer of cattle by 749. There were now 1,277 more dairy cows in the district than in 1906, while sheep had increased in total of 21,972, and pigs by 1,064. Dealing with Helensville itself, Mr MacKenzie said the unimproved value totalling £34,390, had increased by 426.73 ier cent. The value of improvements showed an increase of 114,5 per cent, while the capital value had increased by 178.5 per cent. During the last ten years the business of the Post and Telegraph Department at Helensville has largely increased in all branches.

In 1901 the number of letters and post-caTds posted was 40,510. and in 1911, 90,380, Other articles posted, 10,910 and 53,100. In 1901 the number of letters and post-cards delivered wa* 35,810, and in 1911, 85,800. Oth•r articles delivered, 9,830 and 10,450. In lyOl the postage revenue was £i 93 and in 1911, £510.

Money-orders issued in 1901 amoun • ted to 493 of a value of £1, 306, and in 1011 to 1,023, of £4,169. .Money orders paid amounted in 1901 to 255 of a value of £793, and in 1911 to 463, of £2,097. In 1901, 325 savings^ bank deposits were made amounting to £2,259, and 1911, 893 amounting to £6,667. In 1901, 109 Bavingß>bauk withdrawals were made amounting to £1,351, and in 1911, 311 amounting to £5,041. Telegrams forwarded from Helensville amounted in 1901 to 7,975 of a value of £388, and in 1911 to J4,1 86 of a value of £431, Telegrams received for delivery to residents in 1901 numbers 6,233, and in 1911, 170----845. Telegrams received for onward transmission in 1901 numbered 3,558, and in 1911, 6,246. Mr Stewart on behalf of the people of the Town presented the Prime Minister with h silver trowel which had Engraved on the blade : '• Presented to file Hon. Thos. Mackenzie, Premier, the occasion ol the laying of the first pi oe of the Helensville Drainage Works. June 14, 1912." Mr Mackenzie, in thanking them for the gift, said he had uot used it in laying the pipe. Perhaps that was ,^ono of his Scotch traits, so as not to soil it. But it would be cherished equally with others of a similar kind, of w^ich he had a number, and be paospd on to be kept as a token from the people of the district by his family long after his day Was dene. The proceedings terminated with three hearty cheers. AT THE UOT SPUING S. Mr Mackenzie then proceeded to the Hot Springs in Mr Stewart's motor car, being accompanied by a great number of people in other conveyances. Alter being shown through the baths, the Premier received deputations from the Town Board and Waiteinata County Council, the depus tations being introduced by Mr J. G. Coates. . Mr Jas, Stewart (chairman oi the Board) explained that the last grant of £1 000 towards the work of improving the surroundings of the hot springs wasiust about expended, and they asked for a further grant to complete the work. Mr Stewart pointed out that the' Premier could see that

the money spent had not been wasted, as the grounds proved. He pointed out that a ladies' swimming bath was necessary. A £ for £ grant was also asked for a new bridge over the Kaipara River on the main road to Auckland, while £250 was wanted for improyeing the road to the Springs and making a footpath. Another matter urged was the erection of a small post and telephone office in the vicinity of the springs, the old place now used being really past use. MrJ. McLeod, on behalf of the County Council supported the request made. It was impossible, he «aid, for the county and board to deal with these necessary works without assistance. He pointed out that the bridge at the bottom was sound, but the top was rotten, It was too narrow to allow of traps to pass and the approaches were dangerous. It would take over 200 or 300 yards to fill up the approaches. He thought £250 was very moderate, and would haidly be sufficient to give a good road. He would also ask for a grant of £250 for the Waitemata County Council's sharo. As regards the small building now used for a post office, it was absolutely unsafe, and he was afraid, as others were, to post any important letters there. They did not want an expen* sive place; £50 would do; Mr Goad would still take charge, they did not want an officer in charge. The Prime Minister, in reply, said that the various requests made would have to be considered when the Estimates were brought down, but he could promise them to go very carefully into the matter. As to the springs, he did not think the Government should confine iteelf to assisting one or two large centres, and in the case of Helensville, it was evident that the place had a future as a health resort. Ho promised, also, to see what could de done in respect of the other requests, though he warned the deputation that m the present stringent state of the money market less funds might be available after expenditure for the use of back blocks settlements had been allocated. When people were willing to help themselves as they were, the Government did its best. With regard to the Post Office he would see that one of tho Departmental Officers camo up to go into the matter.

The Premier then proceeded to the courts wJiere a blue ribbon had been stretched across.

Mr Stewart outlined the work of laying out th« grounds, which had been don« from a grant from the Government. He explained that the money was about finished and it would require a further grant to complete further improvements. He was sorry there were no bowls to play a game, but he was waiting till he had some practice with the purpose of issuing a challenge to Mr James McLeod. (Laughter). The Premier said the grounds looked well and properly prepared, and cutting the ribband declared the grounds open for use. He congratulated the people of the district for possessing such valuable thermal waters and gounds>. He was sure the bowling green would be greatly sought after by visiting teams, and would soon have to be enlarged. Bowlers were great enthusiasts, he was one himself. Mr Stewart had challenged Mr McLeod, he would like to take on the Member for the District at the same time. (Applause). The Government were willing to help such places, in keeping with other tourist resorts, and Helensville Hot Springs should become the sanitorium of tho South, as New Zealand would become the tourist ground of Aus. tralasia. (Applause).

Mr Coateß, stated that the excellent work carried out by the Board made it only reasonable to expect more assistance from the Government. It should become very popular as a sanitorium, possessing as it does the best mineral curative waters in the Colony, and being wifhin aueh easy distance of the Southern city. He would very much like to see the game of bowls between Messrs Stewart and McLeed, and he would accept a game with the Premier.

Mr McLeod in accepting Mr Stewarts challenge to a frieodly game of bowls, said he Avould not be found far behind at the finish.

Cheers for the Premier, our Mem* ber and the Town Board and ladies closed the ceremony, and tho assembly returned to the vicinity of the bathhouse where afternoon tea was served which was much enjoyed by all. A word of praise is due to the ladies who supplied and dispensed the light repast.

COMPLIMENTARY DINNER

In the evening the Hon. T. Mackenzie was entertained to a complimentary dinner ao the Terminus Hotel, when about 40 sat down to elaborately laid out tables and an excellent menu was well served, after which the following toasts were proposed and lesponded to : " The King,"' the Chairman. (Mr Stewart) ; " Our Guest," the Chairman ; In replying the Hon. Mr Mackenzie, thanked the Chairman and members of the Board and residents tor the friendly manner in which they had boen received and entertainment during their visit. " Our Eailway Service/ Mr Hoe ; response Mr Hammond ; '• Local Bodies," Mr CoatevS, response Messrs Stewart and McLeod ; " The Ladies," Mr Johnson, response Capt Sellers; •'Alfred Becroft," Mr Hammond. Messrs Stewart and McLeod responded.; "The Press," Mr A. J. Wilson, response Mr Bullock (Star); " The Host and Hostess," Hon. T. Macs kenzie, who complimented the host (Mr Bishop) and his officers for the splendid dinner and the abJe manner whbh it was served; Mr Stewart responded.