RECEPTION AT WAIHI

Otago Witness, Issue 2814, 19 February 1908, Page 31

RECEPTION AT WAIHI

WAIHI, February 13. Sir Joseph and Lady Ward to-day motored from Paeroa to "Waihi, acoompanied by Messrs H. Poland and H. J. Greenslade, M.P.'6. A visit was paid to Waikino en route. Hera. »&«r inspecting

the Waihi Company's Victoria battery, thi Prime Minister received several deputations, who gave utterance to a numbef of local wants. He al«=o addresesd a gathering of battery hands on the general policy of the Government. In a brief referenc*' to the mining industiy he attributed the decrease in lust year's gold leturns to the cessation of the operation* of several 1 dredges in th" south, and prognosticated a future increase in the Uidu&rrj's productiveness.

On arrival at Waihi the Prime Minister was formally welcomed by the Mayor (Mr Thos. Gilmour) and prominent citizens, after which he devoted two or three hour* to the reception of deputations. In the evening he delivered a public address, and wae accorded a vote of thanks and confidence in the Government. Later Sif Joseph was the guest of the Mayor »t a. social. To-morrow hp proceeds to tha Thames, where he will speak in the evening. In tho course of a repK- to one of the deputations on the questions of tho generation of eleotric-ity from water-power for mining purposes. Sir Joseph stated that the Government we* foimulating.conditions under which private companies would be enabled to harness the available waters of the Dominion lor power purposes.