The Motueka Star PUBLISHED TUESDAYS AND FRIDAYS. “TE ORA MOTA IWI." FRIDAY, MAY 16, 1902. VISIT OF SIR JOSEPH WARD.

Motueka Star, Volume II, Issue 79, 16 May 1902, Page 3

The Motueka Star PUBLISHED TUESDAYS AND FRIDAYS. “TE ORA MOTA IWI." FRIDAY, MAY 16, 1902. VISIT OF SIR JOSEPH WARD.

On Wednesday afternoon the Acting Premier, Sir J. G. Ward, accompanied by the member for the district, Mr R. McKenzie, the Mayor of Nelson, Mr H. Baigent, Messrs Trask (2), Harley (2), A. P. Burnes, R. Jackson, Bianchi, Dundas, Wastney and others, besides Mesdames Trask (3) and Miss Duncan came over to Motueka in the Tutanekai, being landed at the Wharf by means of the steamer’s launch. The party reached town at about fouro’clock and half an hour later a large number of residents assembled outside the Post Office where the Acting Premier and others delivered app opriate addresses.

The newly instilled Mayor,. Mr J. S. Wratt, addressing the assemblage, said it was his pleasing duty to introduce to them Sir Joseph Ward, the Acting Premier, the first Minister of the Crown, holding that office who had visited them since Motueka had been created a Borough. Amongst the many things they had to thank Sir Joseph for was the nice Post Office and clock they nov* had, and also for the penny postage system he had introduced.

Sir Joseph Ward thanked the Mayor for his kindly introduction and expressed pleasure at visiting the district, regretting that longer notice of his proposed visit had not been given, which was due to his rapid movements. He felt it a privilege to m?et the people here, having learned to think well of them for sending to Parliament such a good representative as Mr McKenzie, - to wh mi he would like to say credit was due for getting them the" new Post Office and he would not derogate from that credit. He ventured to predict for the Mayor a good vear, and congratulated them on the visible evidences of the prosperity of the dis-

t.-ict, of which he had heard with pleasure from their member, who was Mways urging its claims. He hoped " present post office would soon be t>o small for their requirements. Regarding the proposed direct steam service to Wellington, Sir Joseph said tenders had been called, and if the price was reasonable in amount a tender would be accepted, as the Government believed in giving assistance to small places isolated to a certain extent as Motueka was. Speaking of the general c mdition of the colony, the Acting Premier said that at the end of the financial year .they had a surplus of Li 275,000 to begin, the- new year with

and that in the face of enormous concessions that had been granted. Sir Joseph spoke hopefully of the future and said that touiists and other's were loud iii their praises of the country. Referring to the war in South Africa and the fact that the Right Hon. Mr Seddon was that day due at Durban, The speaker believed they were now on the edge of peace, which would be hailed with supreme satisfaction. After speaking of the happy position Motueka was in in having the qualifications for municipal life, the Acting Premierclosed an excellent address, which was listened to with deep attention, by officially declaring the Motueka Post Office open for the transaction of public business. Mr McKenzie, who was most favorably received, thanked the Mayor and others for their assistance in arranging for the visit and said he was pleased to get a Minister of the Crown amongst the people, as he would then realise what he said about the district was true. He would not detain them long, as he proposed coming over shortly to give them a political address. Mr H. Baigent, Mayor of Nelson, asked them to give three hearty cheers for Mr and Mrs Seddon and family, remarking that it would be a happy omen if peace was brought about during the Premier’s stay in South Africa. Sir Joseph Ward here intimated that he had received word that their visit would be extended till ten o’clock, news which vas received with cheers, after which the Acting Premier requested the School Committee to give the children a holiday on Thursday, and the rising generation signified their approval of the idea in no half hearted manner. His Worship the Mayor called for three hearty cheers for Mr Hursthouse, who had that day vacated the civic chair. X" After acknowledging the compliment, Mr Hursthouse referred to the courtesy and generous support he had received at the hands of the people during his long residence amongst them. He had held almost every public office, and had never been beaten. Regarding the Post Office he hoped to see provision made for its enlargement, as he held with the , Acting Premier-, that some one .should reside on the premises, and be at the call of the public at any time during the day and night. After- cheers had been given for the Mayor, the gathering dispersed. THE BANQUET. Notwithstanding the very short notice given to the host and hostess of the Motueka. Hotel, an excellent spread was la d in the dining room, every available chair being occupied by the Ministerial party and leading residents of Motueka and Riwaka. The chair was occupied by His Worship the Mayor, Mr Wratt, and the vice-chaiv by Mr R. Hursthouse. After lull justice had been done to the viands, the Chairman proposed the health of the King and Royal Family, which was drunk with musical honors. The Chairman proposed the toast of “Our Guest, Sir Joseph Ward,.” The Acting Premier, who was heartily received, thanked the Mayor for the kindness extended to him, which was added to by the Mayor’s present references, which he acknowledged and stated that he was especially pleased to be amongst them, accompanied as he was by leading Nelson residents, whose interests were inseparable from theirs. He would take tho opportunity of alluding to Colonial matters and the changes which were going on in the commercial world and the steamship combination which was swallowing up the great steamer lines, including that of the White Star, which was running to New Zealand.

Th e , aggregation i of „ - the r com part ies would give tbera enoi-moijsyi?po,wer and be' a .very had thing* for the Colony* Australia and the United Kingdom, and would possibly have the effect of forcing up the freights on the mutton, wool and other- products sent to Eng land for consumption. The speaker said Newf’ Zealand at present was in a happy position of prosperity, caused, not by improper booming, but by the enormous plethora of money. The present Government had made two changes in 1894 and 1895, by which over five millions of sovei-tigns were brought into the Colony anu placed in circulation, the effect of which was beneficial. There was now more money on deposit in banking institutions in the Colony than is irsed for the whole commerce of New Zealand and no financial trouble would affect the people unless they brought about a state of funk. As a result of the cheapening process of money the value of properties from one end of the colony to the other had materially increased; so much so that landed property in New Zealand had during the past five years gone up in value twenty millions. He was glad to tell them that in every department of State, except that of Territorial revenue, there had been an enormous increase, with the result that the surplus at the end of the financial year was .£275,000, which would be available for the construction of roads, bridges, railways etc. With reference to the Pacific Cable and the opposition to it shown by powerful people, Sir Joseph speaking of the cable rates charges said he had that day received word, that the concessions he had asked for had been granted by the Coramonwealch of Australia and that now cables from New Zealand to London were reduced to 4s lid per word, which would mean the saving of thousands of pounds. He ventured to predict that before many years cables would be sent to and from the Old Country at a cost equal to that charged for telegrams at present. After referring to what the Government were now doing to enable tourists to see the wonders of the Colony, unsurpassed in the world, Sir Joseph concluded a magnificent address by thanking those present for their kind reception and trusted he would have another opportunity of again meeting them.

Mr R. Hursthouse, who proposed the Parliament of New Zealand, coupled with the name of Mr McKenzie, said he had listened to the Acting Premier with great pleasure, and was glad to find, from the lucid address just given, that the Colony was i n such a prosperous condition. He hoped Parliament would keep it in its present position and suggested that instead of spending the surplus on public works they should reduce taxation. The prosperity of the Colony was attributable to the fact that New Zealand was not dependent upon one commodity alone—when wool was down frozen mutton was up, and so on. He asked those present to drink to the Parliament of New Zealand. Mr McKenzie tnankedthem cordially f ir the reception they had accorded the Acting Premier. After referring to the reasons why he supported, on general principles, the present administration, of which he was not an out and out supporter, Mr McKenzie said -if Motueka was not cut up he would again contest the seat. Mr H. Everett propesed the health of the Right Hon Mi Seddon, whom he characterised as a man amongst many, and one who had made a|name for himself in the Empire. Mr Seddon was continually before the public and his name was coupled with the steady advance of the Colony which now held first position in the British Dominions. The toast was drunk with enthusiasm.

The “ Visitors was- appropriately proposed by Mr R. H. Rankin and responded to l>y Messrs H. Baigent (Mayor of Nelson), J. Harley and F. Trask. ■ This was, followed •by - the “ Press ” proposed by Mr Trewavas and acknowledged by Messrs Boundy and Bond ; and the “ Host and Hostess ” by Mr Gilbert and responded to by Mr Holyoake. . • During the evening Sir Joseph Ward favored the company with a song “ There’s bound to be a row,” which was received with applause. The gathering broke up shortly before ten o’clock, the Ministerial party proceeded to the port, embarking about an hour afterwards.