INGLEWOOD.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXIV, Issue 49, 13 February 1902, Page 2

INGLEWOOD.

VISIT 0? SIR JOSEPH WARD. < f I OPENING OF NEW BRIOK POST t OFFICE. , SIR JOSEPH WARD BAKQUETTBD. ! DEPUTATIONS TO THE MINISTER. 1 Sir Joseph Ward a 1 rived at Ingle- ' wood yesterday to open the new Post ' Office there, and was met at the rail way . station by the chairman and members I if the local bodies and a large concoune lof people. On arriving at the new Past Office, whioh ia a large two stsrey building, making a very handsome addition to the publio buildings of [nglewood, a heavy ahower came on, driving everybody inside and somewhat marring the succets of the opening on account of the difficulty of addresiing people in the several rooms. Mr Nichollrt opened the proceedings by extending to Sir Joseph Ward a htarty welcome to Ingle wood, and expressing the tatisfaction all felt at the object of his visit. Mr Nicholls referred to the need of the new building, md the handseme manner in whicb the want had been supplied. He had much pleasure in introducing to them Sir Joseph Ward, tbe PostmasterGeueral, and calling upon him to de clare tbe new building open. Sir Joseph Ward, who was very heartily received, expressed the pleasure be felt on being with them that day and/ the pleasant duty he hid to perform. He congratulated thtni on tbe completion of such a handsome and substantial building. Sir Josrph then referred to the need there was for tbe building, and quoted at length the figures from the latest returns, and compared them with the returns of former years, showing the rapid and steady increase in the business fully justified tbe expenditure. Sir Joseph congratulated the people of Inglewood on the evidence of prosperity and progress these figure disclosed, and felt satisfied that the the future of the town and 1 district was assured. After a few fur : ; ther remarks of a general nature, Sin ' Joseph said he had great pleasure in declaring the building open for busi- ' nets an announcement which was re--1 ceived with load cheers.

Mr Byrne*, M H.R., also mtde a few < remarks, referring to the per»inte.at efforts of himself end ethers to secure the boon of a new and convenient bnildiog for the transaction ef the business with the important departments which would be quartered there. A. good deal cf delay had been cawed by tke opposition of a certain ieotian of the community; but be was sun all now agreed that the Government had done the right thing in giving so progressive a district such a necessary convenience.

THE BANQUET. At 3 o'clock Sir Joseph Ward was banquetted by the people of Inglewood, every available seat in the large diningroom at the Inglewood Ho el beieg occupied. There were three tables, and they were most' elegantly appointed, while the menu consisted of every delicacy in season. In every reaptct the »pr*ad was rqual to the best efforts of a large city, and most creditable to Mr and Mrs Hutobiaon; 1 the more so aa the notice was exceedingly short. The viands and the wine list were on the most liberal scale, and the quality of the best, while the care evinced in this preparation is worthy of the highest commendation. The chair was taken by Mr Nicholls, chairman of tbe Inglewood Town Beard, who had Sir Joseph Ward on his right, and Mr Symes, the member for the din ric', on his left. The viee-ch«ir was occupied bv Mr H. Trimble, chairman of the Moa Road Board. All the leading local town and country residents were present, while amongst the visitor* were Mrs Symes and Mrs Curnow, of Stratford, the Mayor of New Plymouth (Mr E. Dookrill), the Mayor of Stratford (Mr R. Tattoo), Mr Gray, Secretary of the Pos'.sl Department; Mr Holdsworth, Uh : of Postmaster, New Plymouth; Mr Ournow, Bank of New Zealand, Stratford; Mr J. 0. George, New Plymouth; Mr Clifford, Tarata; Press representatives were also present from the Inglewood Record, Daily News, New Plymouth; th« 'Sgmont Settler, Stratford} and the Jrous, mitham,. After justice had been, done to the splendid spiead provided,

The Chairman proposed " The King and Royal Family " whioh was drunk with enthusiasm, and tbe National Anthem sung. The " Amy, Navy and Volunteer* " wai proposed in an eloquent speech by Mr. Hiinmei ton and replied to in jery suitable tern* by Mr, Pennington and Mr. H, Brown, both of whom referred ito their experience during the Maori [War.

I The Chairman then proposed " Hi* 1 Majesty's Ministers in New Zetland," coupled with the name of their guest, He said that whatever views th.sy held on party politirs everyone was pleased with tho way they hid come forward to the assistance, or* the Mother Country in upholding the honour and prestige of the Empire.

The toast was drunk with musical honours and cheers.

Sir Joseph Ward, who with great reception, said he, was glad to find there was 090 thijog which the Government had done which was gener* ally appreciated. A great deal waa expected of Ministers of thtOrowo, but after all they were much like other and restricted by the means available.. The rapid progress this colony hid made, and tbe extraordinary demand for railway extensions, new buildings for postal telegraph and other departments made it altogether impossible to ke?p paoa with the demand, or to go as fast as aeeme 1 desirable. If they gave way to this; desire a check must come, and a itappage of works with all its attendant disappointments must ensue. He was glad to find a great many people appreciated the difficulty th« Government were in, in this respect. He did Dot know if the people here were affeot'd with a desire, to erase borrowing, but it was a Strang* thing that very often those who were loud st io thejr condemnation of borrowing wera loudest in their demands for new woi ks. If people insisted on the wantt of the various localities being supplied it was as well for them to know that it cou<d not be done without money. Ait-r a short reference to the Toko line «nd the btjppage of work there, he said he hoped to be able to open <h line at ai early date for goods traffic, and the line would be completed as soon as funds were available., It wan "Ot wise to go too fast. There was »» doubt bu,t tbe fall in the price of woo.l an.d frozen meat had caused Sim* dis urbanee ; but fortunately tbe J w rkers of the colony were not dependent on the price of these products, and the colony had never been s > well ahl« to meet these low prices »s at present No doubt these fluctuaH ns would alwajs take place; butts hoped

to see the olony to self-contained I hit it would not be bo easily affletid M formerly. All the figures available showed that the colony waa prosperous; at the vame time prudence wan necessary. They could rest assured the Government waa carefully considering all the difficulties and doing all in its power to assist deserving industries, and to develop the resources of the colony. He was glad the action of the colony in upholding the honour and glory of the Empire had given satiafae* cion. In this matter the Government had, he felt surf, the whole people behind it. At one time he fean-d the war was going to drag on fur a. very long while; buh now he was thmkful to sty he hel—rtd the war was rapidly drawing to & use. It seemed impossible to K e believed hut that the capture of 500 >roeW'4vWyrmutt have a weakening tffiict.' He regretted bait g onab'e to make u longer stay, but would like to say that their member, £lr Symrs, always kept him well potted regarding their dfstriot, end had left nothing uadpne to bring .about the erection of the post offioe they had that day opened. He had, however, to proceed to New Plymouth, and thine* by steamer to Oaehunga, where on Friday he opened: a new poet offioe; the following day he performed a similar ceremony at Hamilton, tren at Opuneke aud Feilding. After referring to the J substantial chuacter of the building, / be expressed the,hope that it would / have a very beneficial effect in helbing f forward the material prosperity of the, j t»i ai,d d.strict. / Sir Joseph resumed bis teat amides prolonged appUute. | The vice-chairman Mr. H. Trimble) proposed "The Parliament of New/ Zealand " making a few pertinent re* nurks regarding the duties end prim legei of member*. " I epeoeh, propMed the u Agrfoultanl and Pastoral Interests."

Mr Oharle* Lee* replied in s> thoughtful .speech, in tlw oounw off whioh he porattelt'ottt com* of the binderabees toimxeee, "while be thought the proipeots of wool and me*) mi* i improving. . There «ouH bt no doubt bnt thM 'tilt 'dairy industry .«•■ Use premier in&strr of tbo colony. E* •drabftted ezcarsioptickets being frto-" ted to dairy farmers in the winter, **> the* eonld not avail tbemeelree of the> erimmer excursions*. '

Mr Mark Hopapn in a kindly speech proposed < The Visitors," Mr Ooekrill and Mr J. G. George making suitable, replies on behalf of the vieiu.ru. Mr H tribe proposed the - Prifc* in an appreciative speech, and M«*«r* Hammerton JRtoord, Pethey kk, Klth«m> Argue, ahd Allsworth, Daivr JN bws replied. * '

Three cheers for the chairs*** and viee«ch*iNnao, . led by Sir Joseph Ward, brought one of the most euooav ful gatherings ever held in Inglewood to* dose,

DKPUXATIONB. Sir Joseph Ward left by speci<] train at 4.30 foil New Plymouth, rrciviug deputations in the train on th* way, Messrs JKcholls, Trimble, M. H\.pson, G. Turner, and F. Mar*h were In- 1 troduoed by Mr Byrne*, and brought the question of the Administration of the Noxious Weeds Act under his notice.

Sir Joseph Wardeaid he would telegraph to the Minister of Lands an* point out ; the urgency of the master to iim_and ask. him to take immediate) action. ~.

Mr. Trimble brought tip the question of certain grants for the Ratapiko, Tariki, and Eaimata Roads, 4700 in all, and a very long discussion ensued, Mr. Trimble fearing the great would] ibeloet.

Sir Joseph explained that there wm no danger of the vote being lost and tbe new agreement* were to comply with the demands of Jthe Audit Department. The Board Should ask the Dipartmeut to aanotion the expenditure, though he did not think the Miniate* would fix a definite date, but Jhe mono** would be foi Incoming. There could be no question about that. Mjpi Trimble also brought up-the 'question ©F the Public Health , Ac'. Mr. Turner thought it very hard when tbey could not keep their roadsis* repair that they should j» asked t» contribute £4O for a medical ofioer.

Sir Joseph said there wss soma mffttake. The medical officers wen • joharge on the consolidated ' tpnoV There were certain thing* for'wSob a. sanitoy inspector wae required, tWa wa« a fair charge en the peopl*. Mr. Trimble thought the Act ws* appicable io town. Sir Joseph o!aim*d that tbe Boats* vmm>ft m mite* »■*•»* of good, and every one benefited. T»«' place* in Australia bad bubonic ptarnt, ••' bat:U< had been kept out of Ntw £*. land becawe we had a strong Health Department, although stringest** measures were necessary in te*ri» in the 'country, dairy (aetoriea, fellmongrries, etc., required taking I after, at.d some of the ceet wax a fair charge on the people, though of Ouone> the proportion was a roattec for •«- sideratiuo,, He would look into all thai | matte** dealt with, and give thee* retjr 'cupful consideration. The dipntatisar thanked Sir Joseph* and the interview cloned.

SIR JOSEPH WARD IN NBVT i PLYMOUTH. Sir Joseph Ward reached ilew Plymouth about 6 p.m., and proceeded to tbe White Hart Hotel, where he wai engaged with his private seoietery attending to correspondence and tele grams till the train left for the Break* water, when he proceeded to Auckland by the Ngapuhi. Sir Joseph wae joined at New Plymouth by Messrs Rooaynev general mmager, Gaw, traffic manager, and Martiu. He expects tut otarn t» New Plymouth in about ten days time, when he proceeds to Opnaake to opes the Post Office there. Amongst those at tbe station to sea the Minister ofl' were his Worship the Mayor, Messrs J. C. George, 0. Samua), Newton King, R. Cock, Gray and others.