MOVEMENTS OF THE PREMIER

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 7712, 14 January 1905, Page 2

MOVEMENTS OF THE PREMIER

VISIT TO WAITARA. On Friday the Premier, accompanied by Mrs and Miss Seddon, and Messrs W. T. Jennings and E. M. Smith, M's.H.R., paid a visit, to Waitara, where he was welcomed by a large number of residents, lie received a 'deputation at the Masonic Hotel, when several questions of local importance were placed before him. Mr Ogle, Mayor of Waitara, acted as ! The first question brought forward was the necessity of providing shelter for passengers at the Waitara railway station, the deputation urging that a verandah would be of great advantage to the settlers. Tho Premier promised to bring the matter under tho notice of the Minister for Railways. I Mr Pearce mentioned another matter in connection with 'the railways, namely, that the carriages on the Waitara line were in a very dilapidated condition. Something should be done to improve them. Mr Seddon said ho would bring this also ! under 'tho notice of the Minister for Railways. He noticed that in his district, the West Coast, .the Hailway Department thought any carriages were good enough for tho 'small district. rlf funds permitted I the request for new carriages should Ibo granted, but he recognised that main thing was, to have the ; railways constructed and the sottiers' produce 'brought to market. | This was more important than palatial stations. The people living in ,outlying districts were,as much entitled to comfort as those in more (populous districts. Mr Foreman referred to the main 'north rood between Mimi and Uruti. |He said tho Roads Department had j recently handed over to tho county some six miles of that road which , was in an impassable condition for l vehicular traffic. This was a portion of the main road to Auckland. The Government should metal that road ; he thought it tho duty of tho Government to hand over all roads in a good condition. The county was highly rated; in fact, it was bankrupt. Ho then referred to the condition of the Junction road in the Purangi district. Tho settlers about two years ago raised a loan of £IBOO for metalling that road, on the understanding that, as they thought, a subsidy would bo obtained from the Government. This was the main road to the interior, and therefore tho subsidy expected should be granted by the department ;for the cost of metalling and maintaining;, such a main road through the hush could not bo borne without Government assistance. There was already in tho county a special rate of 3d in the pound, and a general rate of ljd. About 28 miles of this road had been handed over by the Roads Department for maintenance by the County Council. Reference was also made to the necessity of bridging the Mokau river, but this was admitted to be of secondary importance compared to tho roads. Mr Seddon, in reply, said metalling roads was a most important matter. Tho first thing to be considered was whether or not Parliaiinenthad made any appropriation. .The Minister could only spend mon,ey where Parliament had voted it. |lf the Minister for Public Works had funds at his disposal he would rejcommend the work 'to be done. If •not, he would ask him to apply for a vote next session. There was tt ,j great deal of force in their contention that the ronds should be handed over in a good condition. In fact, in some places the county councils had told the Government they would not take over roads if they were not in a proper condition. Ho beliovcd in encouraging people to help themselves, and ho would ask the Minister for Public Works to help them. It should be laid down as a general and wise policy that the Government should form and metal main and permanent roads 'before handing them over to the local bodies, so that the latter would have a chance of maintaining them. After a couple of hours' consultation, the Premier visited the freezing works in course of erection. On leaving Waitara he was loudly cheered by the residents. Accompanied by Dr. Valinline, Mr Seddon rode to Lepperton, where he lunched with Mrs McTaggart, returning to New Plymouth on horseback. ilrs and Miss Seddon drove to Lepperton and took tho train to. Now Plymouth. The party dined with Mr arid Mrs Cock. To-day the Premier will bo entertained by the exhibition committee at thp Mountain House. Tho Premier intends to take riding exercise. About 9 p.m. the Ministerial party will leave for Wellington by the Government steamer Hinomoa.