THE PREMIER'S VISIT.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 7713, 16 January 1905, Page 2

THE PREMIER'S VISIT.

THE MOUNTAIN PICNIC.

A Successful Gathering,

Between fifty nml sixty people attended the picnic to the North Mountain House, held on . Saturday in honour of the visit of the Premier. Amongst those present were Mr nml Mrs Seddon, Misses Seddon, Master Steuart Seddon, Mr and Mrs H. Cock, Mrs and Miss Kerr (Ureymoutli), Mr and Mrs E. M. Smith, Mr llal Goodacre, Mr and Mrs I'\ T. Belliinger, Air and Mrs A. E. Sykes, Mr W. E. Spencer (L'liief Inspector of Schools), Mr Simpson (Commissioner of Crown Lands), Mr and Mrs A. Standish, Crs. Collis, I'raser,' and Wood, Messrs Murray (road surveyor),;, Stephenson, and Thompson (private secretaries to the Premier), firs. Yalintine and Home, and Captain Dollins, of the s.s. llinemou. Brakes and buggies, supplied by Messrs J. W. West and W. J. Jury, left tho post office at 8,30 a.m., when the .weather was anything b,ut promising. liy the time the radius lino was reached, however, the- sun was shining warmly, though' a haze over the lower land obstructed the view. Mr Seddon rode Mr H. Linn's chestnut hack Guy, and was accompanied by Dr. Valintine and Mr Spencer,. The horsemen ,started sonic time after the vanguard of the party, who reached the gules about eleven o'clock. Ilere commenced the four mile climb up tho newly-formed road, which, though a decided improvement on the outrageously rough bridle track, would be greatly improved by a good coat of metal. As the heavy loads were telling on the horses, good though they were, it was deemed advisable to take tho. heavy conveyances 'inside the gate. Arrangements were made as well as circumstances would permit by utilising the lighter brakes, thus enabling as many as possible of the elder members of the party to ride up to the house. When all the vehicles had arrived the open space in front of the house presented ti'uite a busy appearance, as in addition to saddle horses, one express, three buggies, one waggonette, und two gigs were to lie seen. It may be as well to mention | that although the track is in) fairly jlgood condition, even a light buggy with, say, four passengers, should have at least three or four horses, as the steady pull tells vjery heavily mij. them. This would even be the case if the road were metalled, as from Eguiont Village right to the house, a distance of ten miles, it is one steady rise, entailing a constant strain on the horses.

The picnickers .wore greatly thinned tmt as the ascent got steeper, the first arrivals (who, by the way, were ladies) arriving at the house fully an hour before tho Inst stragglers made their appearance. By this time the Premier had arrived. After a wait of nearly ari hour, during which time the climbers made the best use of the soft drinks provided, luncheon was announced by Mr Maurice Pellew, who' served up the viands in first-class style. After lunch tho majority of tho visitors started exploring the neighbourhood, searching for 'beauty spots and extensive views. The ladies again distinguished I themselves, for three managed to scale Humphries' Castle. Those interested ill botany spent a very pleasant hour in listening to the interestingi' facts descriptive of the plant life of the district given by Messrs W. E. Spencer and M. Frnser, and Dr. Home. On the company re-assembling, Mr W. A. Collis took a photograph of the group. About half past three afternoon lea was served, after which Mr Hal Goodacre (chairman of the exhibition committee) expressed the pleasure of the committee in entertaining Mr Seddon and his family, who. he hoped had spent a pleasant time in New Plymouth.

Mr Cock also expressed great pleasure at the visit of Mr Seddon to the Mountain lionse. He was proceeding to say that the Premier had been so struck by the fact that the road was not in a condition suitable to the importance of the place that ho had instructed Mr Murray to go on with the work, when the Premier interjected : "That is not so.'-'

Mr Cock : I understood you to say so.

The Premier : I gave instructions to Mr Murray to suljanit an estimate.

Mr Cock' : That is a step in the right direction. Referring to the efforts made to improve that part of the district, Mr Cock said that Mr E. M. Smith had done Jiis best to further the ot>jects sought. The building in which they then stood was wreathed in historic associations,! for it had originally 'been soldiers' barracks on Marsland' Hill. This i should be superseded) by ji building more up-to-date.

Mr Seddon, in reply, said that the Mayor had fallen into an error in regard to the metalling of the mountain road, and had in consequence credited him with a promise which was unpardonable from an administrative standpoint. He proceeded to explain that earlier in tho day Mfessrs Cock, E. M. Smith, Goodocre, and Standish had waited upon him in order to bring under hisnotice that it would 'bb a great'benefit to the district were the road metallejl from the radius line to tho mountain house. He admitted that ili .Qrder to attract visitors from other parts of the colony, and tourists from other lands, especially ladies. the journey should not be fatiguing. He had been making inquiries, ami was told that £2OOO was required to metal and £ISOO to gravel the road. Taking the traffic into consideration, he did not think metalling was requiix*! ; gravelling would answer the purpose, and he would with pleasure advise Sir J. G. Ward, as Minister for Tourist and Health Resorts, to that effect. Mr Murrpy was ready to do the work as soon as it was authorised, and the matter would no doubt in due course be placed liefore Cabinet, by Sir Joseph Ward. It was possible to get the work done. Sir Joseph was in favour of improving the track. The mountain should belong to no syndicate. Good accommodation should )>c 'provided, and with belter facilities the number of visitors would greatly increase. J loth he and Mrs Seddon had enjoyed themselves, and he would come back again. The scenery was unsurpassed, and with greater facilities for transit 'would be more appreciated. Taranak'i had not made the most of its natural advantages. The district and colony owed a debt of gratitude to Mr Standish for his action regarding the National Park, for in it they had a natural gold mine and a health resort, unsurpassed in tho colony. Ho himself was grateful to Mr Standish and his fel low workers for wha'l they had done. He would long look back •with pleasure on the enjoyuble outing he had had.

Mr St-andisji called for three cheers for the Premier, these hcing heartily given.

Mr Cock here mentioned that Friday was the 36th anniversary of Mr und Mrs Seddon's wedding, jle asked those present to drink Die health of their guests, at the same time expressing tile hope that they would livo long to enjoy many honeymoons.

Mr Seddon'returned thanks on begalf of himself and Mrs Seddon.

Mr Standish, in thanking the Premier for his kind remarks, said that 30 years ago, as a member of the provincial government, he had realised live line thing it would be were the mountain reserved its a sanctuary lor native flora and fntmn.

Air (loo'flacre. in further expressions of pleasure nt ihp 'l'l-eimer's visit, said thut 111" Seddon would lie presented with the iii-st exhibitiou diploma printed. Mr Seddon utfuin referred to the enjo.vn'bleiiess of the holiday, nn<l said that as the present mountain hou.se was a reminder. of iho pus past it should ho retained. A niore"iiX>-10-dato ljitiltiing- was needed, however, such as those at the German spas. On the call ol Mr Seddon three cheers were given for the exhibition committee. The homeward journey was Ihvit commenced.

Dinner at Inglewood. Mr Seddpn was cntvrUnnixl by Mr Nicliolls (Mayor ol Inglcwood) at ■lillnei' at tilto Railway f llnglewood, after tho excursion to the mountain on baturdny. Many of tlic AdutsdonJsta attuudod. Tlwi'o wcro iljgut 100 gugsta jiresontj uuynspt' rm&mik

them toeing the Premier arid Mrs Soddon, Misses Soddon, Messrs E. M. Smith and W. T. Jennings, M.'&Hflt, It, Cock (Mayor of New Plymouth) F. T. llellringer (town clerk of New Plymouth), W. E. Spencer,, 11. Price, J. Pennington, A. Stamlislv Trimble, W. Mat/thews, H. Drawn, Tuylor, 0. Leach, and I)i> Vuiintine. Thq Major of Jnglewood presided, Mr Vickers acting oh vjce chaii'inan. Tho tluurnian, i n proposing I lie " Health of the Premier," K U i,i thu object of all was to work in 1 lie 'best interests of tho colony, in which IMr Seddon was with

Mr Seddon, prt reply, said be 'greatly appreciated the kindness with |which the toast had been received. Hel'erences were n/adc to the New I Plymouth exhibition, which the speaker said showed the wonderful !advance mude by the province. Such [exhibitions uvre useful in aiding progress!, and on that score he wu:> glud it was a success, in reference to the luMt that on the night of his visit to ihq exhibition thu attendr ance was a recoixlt. Mr Seddon said much of this was due to the running of special excursion tnains. If more such trains were run it would lie jbetlen, even if there was an occassional loss. On the principle that J .Ministers were manogei's of the public estate, ho believed the various konutitueiKfcs should be visited occasionally. He promised to come back again in oi-der (Jjat the residents ungli;t let him kn 0 w their wants. As regards Mount Egmonl, he believed a great many people desir|ed to visit it during tho summer, and a good road would prove of great advantage. The Lepper Hoiad should bo placed .'in order, or I'nglewood would bo cut off from connection with the mountain. Tho State would be justified in voting grants to make auiti able connect/ions with all roads to | the mountain. llawera oiird Stratjford were entitlbd to proper conjneclaona ; ,th.o Government should ■approach the subject from a nur tional point of view. Tho wants of tho back blocks settlers should t,» attended to. THerc were sulfipient i'undif in tho Treasury for all parties. (Applause). lioads wvre the main arteries which set tho heart in motion. Good roads were therelore essential ; low railway and steamen freights should rule. This was necessary if we wero to comitate successfully with otlrer countries, lie would Uo all he could for the backMocker. lteference was mode to tho 'progress of i-nglewood, which the Premier hoped would cpntinue. Despite what the croakers said, the outlook for, live colony was brighter J than it hex! over been. So long as he was with them—and his luggage was not yet labelled for London (laughter)—he hoped tie good fooling evinced that night would continue. Mr Vickers, as an Oppositionist, expressed pliu>«mro at tiie restoration o' the Premier's lioalth. lie proposed the health of " Our Miember, Mr Jennings," who, he said, had proved a good member. Mr Jennings said when Mr "pddon Came again ho would have something substantial to put before him. He knew tho difficulties and hardships experienced by backblockers, and ho maintained that if the Premier desired the prosperity of Taranaki the latter must give the settlers good roads. The speaker expressed the opinion that Mr Seddon sincerely desdred to assist the backblocker. Owing to the short notice many settlers who would otherwise have attendod were prevented from doing so. The Mayor then proposed the henlltil of *' Mr E. M. Smith, M.H.iV Mr Smith claimed that during his forty years' residence in thd cplony He had always striven to advance the best interests of the district. He urged the development of ironsnmd ami other natura 1 industries of 'l'aranaKi.

" Tho Court Physician, Dr. Valintiiie," was the next toast ; propoaed by tho chairman. The doctor was missed by every man, woman, nnd child in Inglewood. Dr. Valintine briefly responded, saying that d 53 people only know Mr Seddon intimately they would not cast aspersions on liis uctions. Other toasts honoured were *' The Chairman," proposed by Mr Seddon ; Tho Visitors,"- proposed by Mr Nichols, and replied to by Mr R. Cock ; and "• The Press," proposed by tho Premier. The singing of " Aula Lang Syne" concluded a very successful gathering. A large number of residents assembled at the railway station to bid farewell to the Premier, who was prevailed upon to utiliso a stoort wait for the arrival of the express, by delivering a short address, in the course of which complimentary reference was made to the progress t>i tho distrlcEj The Premier's Departure. Mr Seddon wont straight through to tho breakwater by the wail train, embarking oil tho s.s. llincmou for Wellington.