THE PREMIER IN THE BACK BLOCKS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 154, 20 June 1908, Page 6

THE PREMIER IN THE BACK BLOCKS.

EPITOME OF THE TOl'H. The Premier, Si;' Joseph Ward, 'vccomnanied by Mr. W. X. Jennings, M.l'., arrived at the breakwater ycstcrdiv morning from Kawhia, the steamer laving been unable to cross the liar at Waitara owing to tlic tide. The Premier was too late for the mail train, and having declined the Railway .Department's arrangements for a special, went south by the 12.50 train to Wauganui. Sir Joseph was busily engaged on departmental business during his stay at ,11k White Ilart Hotel, and declined to re ceive any deputations. Mr. Jennings, who accompanied the Premier on his tour through the. JUng Country, joined Sir Joseph at Taihapt" last Monday ■ evening. On Tuesday morning, train was taken to Ohakune, where large deputations were introduced to the Premier by the member, Mr. Jennings, representing the advisability of throwing open lands for selection 11 Pvangataua. Various other matters ol interest to the district in regard to roads and bridges were also brought be fore, the Premier. The party then proceed from the rail-head at Ohakuno ovjr a now portion of the line with an engine and carriage, proceeding over the flapufc whenua viaduct, which is the longef-;' viaduct on the line, and is all built in i> series of curves. The view from this viaduct, is a magnificent one, and pass ing by the viaduct on the railway line skirted by the lip of a crater, where an immense scoria deposit, probably 00 feet deep, could be seen. This in the Ohura district and Te Kuiti road district would be a veritable mine for ro'ading purposes. Proceeding through a long tunnel, the party picked up the coach line, and proceeded by coach a distance of twelve miles to Makatotc, where the big viaduct is. This was recently com- , pleted. Its height from base to railway line is 2C7 feet. Proceeding by , rail thence on the Raurimu, Sir Josepn was further interviewed by residents, . who asked for the throwing open <f ■ lands for selection in the district. , Mr. Jennings, retracing his steps, stated that it was a cold journey iSver i the Waimarino Plains, snowing the . whole journey, and there were no footi warmers to be obtained hero even ' y ' the Premier himself. 1 On arrival at Taumaranui, a great wel- ' come was accorded the Premier, who was • received by the Rev. Mr. Ward. Tiif Taumaranui Brass Band turned out for tho occasion. In the evening Sir Joseph , addressed a crowded audience, at tin , conclusion of which an unanimous vou of thanks and confidence in the Govern , mcnt was carried unanimously. Ca'.lf being made for the member, Mr. Jennings briefly addressing the meeting and at its conclusion ringing cheers werr - given for him. Then deputations brought before the Premier local requirements ,- among them being the desirability • 1 having better tenure for lessees of town • ship sections. These are at, present o r i a native lease. .V very .strong ease, was t made out, by the deputation, who pointer ' out that in l'ognrd to the improvement • of the town by drainage, roading, and ' forth, tile Town Hoard was serious!) ' hampered owin/* to receiving no rates from the native owners of the township ' A loan had been applied for by the Towr . Board, but wing to the position of ten , lire, nothing could be done. The presi dent of the Maori Council, Mr. Ja<lg« llrmvn, was applied to for a solution v , the difficulty, and, strange to say

t'liougli liiere is mi umimulation of over C 12.000 of renlul money held in trnsfi l>v Hie Ifnori Omineil, -which is of vo benefit. to the Mnrois. -,is it had not been paid over to tliom. the President could inside mi reeoimiiendation that would ,v----pist: in remedying the unsatisfactory slate of affairs existing at Tminiaranni. Sir Joseph Ward, in reply, said li'i fully recognised I'lie unsatisfactory po:-i-

tion. and lie would consult his colleagues when he returned to Wellington to if some steps eould he taken this session to alter the present undesirable position of affairs. A deputation from Ohurn. eolisistilS of Messrs, Lovcdar, W. Williams, T. do Vere Hunt, Sanderson, and Lyons, brought a number of matters of local interest before the Premier. The most important, was that in conneetion wi'.li the railway. i'lit-. deputation urged very strongly ou the

Premier the desirability of starting the railway from the Ongaruhe end, (now that the near completion of Ihe Ala.o Trunk line was at hand. The Premier! in reply, said he vrould consult the Hon. Minister for Public Works in regard t" Miis matter. j

Xexl morning the party left, by ifirsV train for Te Kuiti, and nn arrival ther* 1 * ihe PrpinW was welcomed by Maj.ir Tmsk. chairman of the WUitomo County Council, and a, large number of residents. '

Leaving To Kuiti at !».20 the party proceeded in a buggy drawn by four nut over the f iV Kuiti main mad to AVairire. for the of opening a bridge that had just been completed over the Mok;lu rive) •. 'phis bridge leads into the scttleme nts of Aria, Totoro. Kaeaea, etc, The Premier, -who

was accompanied by iVTr. Jennings, M.P. three reporters, and liis private secretary, had an experience in regard lo what, a bad road is I ,hafc was unique in the Premier's experience. For four solid hours the horses ■v/crc pulling through mud that was eimils r to what might be seen in the "porrid| ;e-pot" at Rotoruu. Mr. Jennings used Ho be accused of exaggerating* the eond ition of roads in the King Country, but the Premier free];/ admitted that an injustice had been done him, saying it Was undoubtedly the worst toad lie liatf seen in New Zealand. The. party arrived at Wairiro shortly after fu*o o'clock* tlie journey of 20 taking over six hour? to accomplish. There vaS a large represontatin? gathering of -?ej;tiers from Paemak", MaiiUi. Mangaatrfki, Aria, Kaeaea, and other places. TJ le party was received with three rinsing * cheers, and after address of we?t>om e was rend by tb?

chnirmnn of (lift committee, Mr. i\ O'Dwyer. .T.P., th<> Premier addressed those present, itrivi ng a. statement of he cost, of the bificlge. which was ,i',l2flo, and, spoke for nbo ut :i quarter of ;m '•Kir in referc/iice to the inienlious of Uie Government ill' regard to providing money for ai&d bridge constriu-lioii. lTe said lliey fjr.d decided to ask Parliament to vote a sur.'i of ■£•£■>(),ooo a year for a period rjf four years for theSe purposes. This - ?xlra \i."i>utd be for the pur

pose of widening /ind improving generally the roads that,'would bo scheduled by the Roads Dopa HnK'nt. This, in addition to the usual money allocated every year, would mnlyc a sum of nearly threeof a million pounds for assisting the road and bridge question. These remarks were received with the greatest appreciation. Mr. Jennings was the» called upon by the committee to prcsee.t to Mrs. Russell, the first lady settler in f the district, a pair of scissors for thn I purpose of severing the ribbon that wa% I stretched across the bridge. Upon the j cutting of the ribbon Sir Joseph Ward ™ declared the bridge open for traffic, and , (tie whole of the assemblage passed Jjj across it to see. as the Premier said., if it would bear the weight. After a.df i dresses by Mr 0. Elliott, the secretary t of the committee, find by the m and Mr. Jennings, three rousing heartv r cheers were given and the parte started r on the return to To Kuiti. reaching there g at quarter to eight o'clock. | The residents bad assembled in great | numbers. and great enthusiasm wl, 5 ■ shown at the accomplishment of the prosramme, one old resident declaring that the Premier was one ot the bravest Premiers that he had ever heard of. After the party had divested themselves of Vr considerable amount of mud and bail dinner, the Premier addressed a gathering of about 4DO people in the new TV I'niti hall. Major Taisk presiding. At +he conclusion of the VTr. phJ'r lips proposed and Mr. Pine seconded, 'fi voe of thanks and 'confidence in the government. This was carried unanimously. After the meeting the Premier received (i large number of deputations., one havimr reference to the tenure »f the township at Te Kuiti, similar to that at Taumnranui. and the Premier replied to the same effect as at the former townsliip. "Residents along the line 'of the trial survey recently made from Maugana to Puketntu, which is a deviation from the Stratford-Ongaruhe authorised line, asked the Premier to start operations from the Puketntu end. The Premi'T replied that that was a matter he would represent to his colleague when he returned to Wellingon. A numbe? < f other local requirements were submitted. After the deputations the Premier and Mr. Jennings were guests at a banquet, which was held in the old Te Kuiti hall. Mr. Jas. Boddie, formerly of Eltham t presided. The toast of the Premier was received most enthusiastically. The next morning the party proceeded 1 to Te Awamut.u, where the Premier received another hatch of deputations, after which they went by coach through 1 Pironjia, Te Rau-a-moa .and reaehsd ! Oparu, whence tihe steam launch was to ' convey them to Kawhia. Unfortunately, owing to the delays em 1 the road, the party did not reach Oparu until after seven o'clock, and an enforcv ■ ed wait ensued till 9 o'clock before ' the steamer could navigate the .river, - the tide being unsuitable. Further 'dif- ; Acuities were encountered, the stekmef r taking a shoal, and Kawhia was not ' reached till half-past ten o'clock. The i wharf was crowded with, people, who re--1 reived the Premier with loud cheering. ' A banquet was held, Mr. Shaw. J.P. and I chairman of the County Council, presid- ' ing. Owing to the shortness of time', ' the toasts were omitted, and the Prej, mier went to the Town Hall, where d,e- ---• putations were received, the principal 1 matters being a railway, from Kawhia to • Kawau, and the question of native lands ■ retarding the progress of the district.

The Premier replied on the same lines as at Taumaranui. In regard to the railway he said that since coming into the district he had received requests for railways which would bring a total expenditure Of over £600,000. He could make no promises in regard to these matters, hut would lay them before Cabinet. At the conclusion of the deputations the Premier addressed a public meeting, Mr. Jonathan, chairman of the Town Board, presiding. After the Premier had been speaking for about a quarter of an hour a, message came from the steamer to the effect- that the captain would have to leave just after 12o'cloclt, so as to enable him to work the tides at Waitara. The Premier, in "'"s usual happy way, drew attention to the • fact that he was being robbed of the privilege of freedom of speech, but as he was now in the hands of the captain of the vessel he would necessarily have to curtail his remarks, lie spoke in ieferenee to the question of native lands, stating the -Univo Lands Commission had recommended the Government i o acquire 750,000 acres. He fully recognised the disabilities in connection with the rating on native lands and the unsatisfactory tenure, and while recognising the position was a difficult one. was determined to have some solution "f the question. Touching on various otlvr matters of public interest, such as the indebtedness of the colony,the increase of taxation, and other economic questions, he claimed that the Dominion was in a higlilv prosperous state. Another message in the shape of a shrill blast of the steamer's siren indicated that the time for departure had arrived. The Premier, stated that he regretted 'liis timo was so short, at Kawln'a. owing to unavoidable circumstances, but he, promised to come back—by steamer next time—and '.top the day and night there. At the conclusion, Mr D'Arcv Hamilton proposed a hearty vote of thanks to the Premier for his address, and confidence in the Government of which he was head* This wat) seconded, and no amendment being proposed, the chairman declared it carried unanimously. The party then got aboard the steamer Waitangi and left at 12.30. reaching New Plymouth breakwater shortly after ten o'clock yesterday morning. Concluding, Mr. Jennings said: "The trip was a very trying one, from every 1 point of view. Hough roads and long hours, though, were happily interspersed by the lavish hospitality of the settlers, who evidently appreciated to the full his determination to become ncqainted their needs under ordinary winter conditions. Particularly was it gratifying to the member to have the opporJ tunity of the settlers placing before tli|e Premier the disabilities of the Kin? Country, from more than one standpoint, particularly those affecting the tenures of land in the townships, the large areas of unoccupied Maori lands, and last, but not, least, tlie question of roading 'the noblest Unman of them all." : 'I feel sure that the trip has given the Premier an insight into the only too common condition which he eould hardly have 1, ( . liev'od to exist."

NEW PLYMOUTH AS A POST. IUNO-RANCIi IN* INSUIiANCE CIRCLES. The following tile of letters caused an outburst of merriment, at yesterday's meeting of the Harbour Board, one member remarking that " the ignorance of some people is remarkable,'' and another that "if they won't take it we'll make them swallow ttie truth,' anyway." • Messrs. Nelson & Kobertsou, shipping agents, Sydney, wrote to the harbourmaster: "We have the barquentine •Volador' bound worn fort Stephen tu your port with a cargo o£ hardwood, and as there has been some difference ot opinion here as to whether New Plymouth is an open roadstead or not, will you kindly give us all information regarding., this, whether it is looked on in New Zealand as an open roadstead or a recognised harbour. On one occasion the • AVhangaroa,' bound from Wanganui to Australia with timber, put into New Plymouth for shelter. We also note that) there were several sailing vessels loading and discharging timber at your port; and we take it from this that it must be a. regular recognised port. However, we await your information as to the nature of the port, depth of water, and loading and discharging i'a-

' cility." The Secretary in his reply stated: "New Plymouth is not an open roadstead, but a recognised harbour for vessels up to 1500 tons, with a depth of from 14 to to feet at low water (spring tides). lam enclosing for your information a pamphlet issued by tuy Board some years ago, but since that time a lot of improvements have been etfecCcd, the main ones being the lengthening of the breakwater by 450 feet and the extension and widening of the wharf. Coastal vessels frequently put into New Plymouth harbour for shelter. Cranage can always be obtained for unloading sailing vessels." The firm further Avrotic: "Immediately upon receipt of your reply we communicated with our insurance company, and herewith enclose their reply, by which you will see that they do not ' take the same view of your port as you I | do yourself. If all the insurance companics look upon your port as an open ) roadstead it will hamper your port a good deal, as shipowners will not send ships to New Plymouth without getting extra freights. Personally, we are more than satisfied with the despatch the ' Volador' had at; your port, and if the insurance company did not Mock us we should not hesitate in sending her back again. We shall be glad if you will let us Have a reply to the United Insurance Company's letter, so that we can take the matter in hand with them and endeavor to obtain refund of extra insurance which they forced us to pay on account of the Volador going to your port." The following is the insurance company's letter:—"We. have, been guided in nil' decision that this port is uu open > roadstead from a. report furnished us iy a New Zealand surveyor, and also Voin local surveyors who liavc visit-id j he place. We would also draw your

altcntion to a photo of your port at Hip cud of tho book supplied to us, and \v>' think that that photo is suflicient to uphold our views. Wo admit that the port is usud for sheltering vessels but only when the wind is to the eastward by south, and then only availed of by small coasters when meeting a southeast gale in Cook Straits." Captain Hood remarked that Captain -'ottori, .master and owner of the liarpientine Frank Guy had told him that lis insurance at this port was the same ; s at Auckland and Wellington. Sir King said he was in communion- , ion with New Zealand insurance com anios concerning this matter, and the latter' was left in his and the secre- An irv'- hands. T. r pon the motion of 'Messrs. 'Maxwell I ml King, it was decided that in future return be added to the annual report Cas lowing the names of ships trading to ( ac ' lis port, with number of trips, ton- 6" n age. draft, and tons of cargo, sailing ® el 'aft to be shown separately Irom .uamships.