THE PREMIER IN TARANAKI

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 225, 28 January 1911, Page 4

THE PREMIER IN TARANAKI

HIS ABRIVAI, IX XEW PLYMOUTH. AT THE OIL WELLS. "Wc liave been a long time trying to. catch you and get you to inspect the oil wells; and we have succeeded at last." * Thus Sir Joseph Ward was greeted by the chairman of directors of the Taranaki Petroleum Company yesterday afternoon. Sir Joseph and the directors, with Mr. Xewton King and a few others, had motored out at about 4.30. The Premier was taken in hand by the chairman and the manager, and conducted over the works, the various operations, being fully explained. Sir Joseph was # keenly interested, being agreeably surprised at what had been done and the amount of oil won and stored.

BAXQUET AT iXGLEWOOD. The Premier visited Inglcu'ood yesterday, and was met by the Mayor and leading citizens, by whom he was entertained at lunch. In response to the toast of his health he made a short and pithy non-political speech. The Premier had a most enthusiastic reception. A deputation waited upon Sir Joseph respecting a grant for the erection of a. bridge over the Manganui river on the Bristol road. The Premier said he did not know the position in respect to the matter, which he would bring under the notice of the Minister for Public Works. If there were no vote on the Estimates, the representations would receive consideration when next year's Estimates came to be framed.

DEPUTATION'S AT STRATFORD. At Stratford the Premier promised to look into the matter brought forward of the necessity of a connecting road between the Omona and Stratford districts. Mr. Hine pointed out the importance of this road, opening up, as it would, communication between two large districts, whose interests went together. Last year a vote of £2OO had been put on the Estimates, but the cost was set down at about £1501). Mr. Hine brought under the Premier's notice the question bf opening up the Forest Reserve at Omona for settlement. This was a big block of land, and if placed on the market would materially assist in the close settlement of the district. Mr. S. Ward's request for a daily mail service with Whangamomona will be enquired into, and a report prepared. In regard to the danger of the crossings north and south of the railway station at Fenton and Regan streets and the nuisance and impediment that shunting operations frequently were to pedestrians and traffic, the deputation asked for a subway or bridge, and failing these that alarm bells be placed at each crossing. The Premier said that Stratford was not singular in this respect. If the Department admitted responsibility it would mean the enforcement of very stringent regulations for the public safety, cabinet was considering the whole question. Mr. W. P. Kirkwood brought under notice the disabilities under which the Stratford Mountain House is suffering, and asked for the consideration of the Government in the work of making a good road. The Premier had just been handed, by Mr. Hine, a letter from the. Minister for Public Works, stating that* this particular matter would have consideration. Messrs. J. B. Hine and George Sangster, as trustees of the rifle range, brought under the notice of the Premier tlvc desire of riflemen to be allowed by the Defence Department to make an exchange of the present site for another site which would enable a 1000 yds range to be used.—To be enquired into.

AT KAPONGA. At Kaponga the Premier receivad a series of deputations, dealing with the insufficiency of telephonic communication between Eltham and Kaponga, and in reference to the proposal of the dairy company to sell electric current for lighting the town, it'being stated that the <lairy company had gone in for electric light, and if it could be extended to the town the people would be prepared to take it. The matter was hung up for the necessary permission to erect poles and wires. Sir Joseph Ward, in reply, said that if the business was sufficient to warrant it he would give instructions for * second wire to be provided between Kltham and Kaponga. He would look into the matter of providing assistance at the Kaponga Post Office. No one, he added, wished public servants to work fourteen or fifteen hours a day, and lie would never agree to "sweating" any officer in the Department. A report would be obtained upon the Post Office accommodation. .With reference to the request for the appointment of Justices of the Peace. Sir Joseph said that new Justices would be appointed shortly. Regarding the Opunake railway, Sir Joseph said it would be given consideration with other lines next session. The loan for drainage, if application were made to the State Guaranteed Advances Department, would be dealt with on its merits. There were no deputations nt Eltham.

THAT PAMPHLET. Prior to last night's meeting at New Plymouth, the executive of the local branch of the Liberal and Labor Federation waited on the Premier and expressed their sympathy witli him over the attacks that had been made on his character in the notorious pamphlet. Sir Joseph sincerely thanked them for their kindness, which lie much appreciated, The Premier was given a hearty sendoff by a number of his friends at the railway station after the meeting (which is reported elsewhere). : J" I