VISIT OF THE PREMIER AND THE HON. J. G. WARD.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXII, Issue 52, 7 March 1900, Page 2

VISIT OF THE PREMIER AND THE HON. J. G. WARD.

About mid-day on Tuesday the Right i Hon. the Premier and the Hon. J. G. ' Ward arrived here from Auckland by s the Hinemoa, and wore met by His ' Worship the Mayor, Mr. E. M. Smith, : M.H.R., and others. Both Ministers i were busy in town during the afternoon, • receiving deputations and attending to [ important matters afl'ecting the town. , One of the first acts of the Premier was ; to coudolo with Mrs. Patterson. lie ) had thoughtfully wired before leaving ) Auckland, expressing a wish to see that bereaved lady, and the message i was conveyed to her by 6 a.m. by Mr. - Mclndoe, who brought her into town, i After a long conversation with Mrs. ; Patterson, Mr. Seddon intimated to the , Mayor that he will send a circular letter to His Worship and other Presii dents of Patriotic Funds, intimating what he considers should be done in her i case. A deputation consisting of the officers of the Taranaki Guards waited on the Premier with a request to be allowed to keep the company up to 100 strong, and to be given twv nty-seven additional rifles—the additional uniforms to be i provided by the company. Mr. Seddon promised to favourably consider the matter. In view of the i Easter Encampment and the desire of the company to appear in uniform there, a hope was expressed that the official reply might soon be rece'ved. The Premier stated that he had accepted the services of the Opunake Mounted Infantry, and a telegram was despatched to Opunake to that effect. He also expressed a general wish to accept mounted infantry wherever offered. With regard to the Fifth Contingent, the Premier gave the Mayor definite instructions as to despatching men who offer themselves. Free passes will be granted to Wellington, where the usual tests will be made prior to seloction. The Government provide arms, uniform, horses, and all that is required for this contingent. The Hon. J. G. Ward received a deputation from the Chamber of Commerce and others interested in the removal of the Post Office and Customs Department to a more central site in the town. Two sites were submitted to his attention, the Chamber of Commerce advocating the Harbour Board reserve site as being the most suitable, and Mr. Tisch and his following being in favour of the Borough Reserve site. After hearing both parties and obtaining all available information, Mr. Ward promised to eend the Government Engineer to go into the matter with those interested, and on receiving his report a departmental officer would 'ce told off to advise on the whole mattor. Mr. Ward stated that he fully recognised that the present Post Olliee was crowded out, and that something must be done to givo increased accommodation. The Mayor and the Works Committee of the Borough Council also interviewed Mr. Ward relative to the desirability of the Railway Department arranging for tho coal and other heavy goods traffic to be carried on by way of Currie-street, ■ and thus relieve Brougham-street. Mr. i .B. M. Smith submitted a plan of the town, and explained that the Government had already agreed to acquire : the Kawau Pah from Gill-street to' * Brougham-street, and that this would 1 give a clear street round the railway to 1 Brougham street by diverting the line • »t the H.onui, and thus save tho lino I passing the town, Mr. Wtu'd \v;w c

taken ou to the line and shown the property proposed to be acquired. He expressed his concurrence in the proposal, and promised that the Engineer should be instructed to confer with the town authorities and report as early as possible. Subsequently Mr. E. M. Smith took an opportunity of showing Mr. Ward the model of what he (Mr. Smith) considers should bo the harbour at Moturoa, and was highly ple.isn-1 at Mr. Ward's favourable reception of the plan. The Ministers left by the Hinemoa shortly before 9 p.m.