THE ACTING-PREMIER

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 268, 22 March 1911, Page 8

THE ACTING-PREMIER

HON, JAMES CARROLL VISITS 1 NEW PLYMOUTH. The Hon. James Carroll, ActingPremier of New Zealand, motored through to New Plymouth from Pari•liaka yesterday morning, arriving here about half-past eleven. He was accompanied by Mrs. Carroll, Te Heu lieu (chief of the Ngatuwharetoa), Mrs. T. lieu Heu and Miss Te Heu Heu, Mr. X. W. Fisher (head of the Native Department), Mr. J. B. Jack (president of the Aotea Maori Land Board), Dr. Pomare, and Mr. Gordon (the lion. Mr, Carroll's private secretary). The Ministerial party put up at the White Hart Hotel, where, as soon as his arrival was known, the acting-Preaiet was met by His Worship the Mayor (Mr. G. Tisch), and Mr. F. T. Bellringer (town clerk), and arrangements were made to receive deputations at 2.30 p.m. DEPUTATIONS. A deputation, consisting of Messrs. G. Tisdi (Mayor of New Plymouth), E. Gn.iitlis (president of the Chamber of Commerce), Jas. Clarke, H. J. Gilbert, F. E. Wilson (Borough Councillors), W.• Ambury, A. 11. Johnstone, Jas. McLeod, E. Whittle, and C. H. Weston, accompanied by the borough engineer (Mr. A. H. Kendall) and the town clerk (Mr. F. T. Bellringer), and others, waited on the Minister. Mr. Tisch, in introducing the deputation, apologised for the absence of Mr. H. Okey, M.P., and extended a hearty welcome to the Hon. Mr..Carroll on his first visit to New Plymouth as actingPremier. The first question touched upon was the abandoned railway line at Leach street. Mr. Tisch explained that in 1875 the Railway Department took the centre of the road for a railway track, a*d fenced it off. Since then the railway had been diverted, and the fence removed. The ratepayers in the locality were urging on the Council the necessity of improving the road, but it was pointed out that the centre of the road belonged to the King, and a proclamation would be required to restore it to the borough. The Borough Council had communicated with the Manager of Railways, and had received the reply that the Council would have to pay £265 before the Department would agree to restore the centre of the road, as they had had to buy land to provide an entrance for residents in the locality. Mr. Tisch stated that the road had originally been taken by the Department without compensation. Moreover, tl\e land bought by the Department was now claimed by residents as a street, and the private owners could compel the borough to keep it open. He promised that Mr. Bellri. 'cr (town clerk) would forward cojii,-,s of the correspondence to WellingTiiE PUBLIC TRUST OFFICE. Some time ago, continued the Mayor, the Public Works Department had removed their office to Stratford, and now it was proposed to remove the Trust Office to Hawera. He understood that the offwe would be kept open by one man here. Of course, he did not wish to dictate as to how the Public Trust should run its business, but he considered, in view of the amount of native land between Pukearuhe and Opunake, there must be a lot of work to do. Next they would want to shift the Lands and Survey Oilice. Mr. Tisch then mentioned that the reorganisation of the Defence Department would necessitate offices for that Department, which he had heard casu-j ally would be at Stratford. Seeing that New Plymouth had two companies, and was the capital of Taranaki, it should be tie headquarters. In conclusion, lie asked Major Bellringer, as Major, to explain this matter further. Major Bellringer declined to say anything, as such would be contrary to regulations. Cr. Wilson said that in regard to Leach street the greatest hardship was on the land-owners, who were debarred from selling or subdividing their property, as the street was not 66 feet wide. Mr. Tisch then referred to the amalgamation of Fitzroy with the borough. A petition signed by the majority of ratepayers in favor of amalgamation bad been forwarded to the Hon. D. Buddo, Minister in charge of Internal Affairs, but up to the present nothing further had been heard of it. An election of the Town Board had since taken place, when the election had shown a majority of three to two in favor of the movement. Mr. E. Griffiths (chairman of the Municipal Progressive Association) and a member of the Fitzroy Town Board, stated that the end of the financial year, March 31, would be a suitable time for amalgamation, and the answer of the Cabinet on the question was awaited with great interest, as immediately Fitzroy joined the borough there was reason to believe that St. Aubyn and Vogeltown would follow that lead. Mr. Johnstone explained that it was not the Public Trust Office that was being removed to ITawera, but merely that portion dealing with the West Const Settlements reserves. If, so provided the Registrar of Lands remained here, he did not sae that that they would suffer any inconvenience. The Council of the Law Society had dealt with the matter, <i i id made representations to the proper authorities. The Hon. Jas. Carroll, who had listened most attentively, briefly thanked those present for the reception he had been given. He complimented Mr. Tisch on the zeal he had shown as the head citizen, and on the keen interest he evidently, and very rightly, took in the affairs of New Plymouth. However, when changes were made, the main question was that of advisability, and the Major, as a business man. could see if there were good and justifiable grounds for them. In regard to the railway matter, he promised to look up the flies and dismiss the matter with the Minister of Railways,, and see if they could not arrive at some point of adjustment. In any case, the money involved was not a large amount The removal of the Public Works Oilice was a matter outside his Department but they could see that the headquarters must 1)0 near the scene of netive operations, and, as they knew, a railway was m course of construction from Stratford to Ongarue. The Roads Department, j notteiei, had work everywhere Hd expected that the Minister for' Public' Works would be in the district before'

next session, and they would be able to discuss the matter with him.

As regards the Lands and Deeds Office, the Registrar nmsl, by Act of Parliament, remain in New Plymouth. This was the centre. The work of the Public Trust Office was, increasing, and tliev must extend their branches. One of these was being opened in Ilawera, and would be the centre of a large business area. So far as the amalgamation of the outlying district was concerned, he was in accord with the proposal. It was the policy of the Government to centralise in local government. He had no need to go into the expense of working small bodies, of which there were far toe many in New Zealand. The trouble was that every little place was imbued with the vanity of its own position as a local and statutory body, and did not like to lose its individuality. In conclusion, he regretted that Mr. Okey was not present, and paid a high tribute to Mr. Okey as a member. The acting-Premier then promised that lie would give his close attention to all the matters placed before him, and the deputation withdrew. AT THE OIL WELLS. In the afternoon the acting-Premier and party visited the Taranaki Petroleum Company's works at Moturoa, in company with Messrs; C. Carter (chairman), D. Berry and C. E. Bellringer (directors), G. Tisch (Mayor), H. S. Fitzherbert, S.M., F. P. Corkill, C. E. Baker, Rev. Evans, and others. The party first visited the No. 3 bore, which was still very active, with a tremendous pressure of gas. The whole party appeared greatly interested and impressed with what they witnessed. From the bore, oil wa;s flowing between the casings, and up the 4-inch casing, which is within a few feet of the bottom of the bore, The party next visited the No. '2 bore, which at the time of the visit was flowing very strongly. The underground tanks, containing large quantities of crude oil, were inspected, and from there the party went to the boiler-house, where a demonstration was given of firing both by gas and oil fuel. The absence of smoke was noted by the party, and the advantages of this fuel for steam purposes were pointedly brought before them, particularly fromi its labor-saving aspect. The refining plant was also visited. From there they went to No. 5, to witness the actual drilling operations in progress. It was evidently a great surprise to the visitors to find the industry in such an advanced stage. In all, about two hours were spent at the works.