CHRISTCHURCH.

Thames Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2838, 20 March 1878, Page 2

CHRISTCHURCH.

Tuesday.

The Premier made a brief visit to Xaiapoi yesterday, and was presented with an address by the Town Council. He was also iuvited to luncheon, and in the evening addressed a public meeting at Woolaton, a small township in the Heathcote district, for which the Hon. Mr Fisher is member. The Premier commenced by expressing great pleasure at the opportunity of addressing the electors of the Heathcote, because he was indebted to them for a colleague who had shown very great sagacity, and an extraordinary desire to promote the welfare of the people of this colony. Perhaps in selecting this and some other of his colleagues, he had given great offence to many because he bad travelled out of the old beaten path of politicians; but he rejoiced to see new blood brought into the Ministry. He was in the decline of lifet and it behoved him, if he believed a new lime were coaling, to work to raise up a new party, a party combining much of tho elements of energy, vigor, and quick intellect, which belongs to such an administration as he had endeavored to form, as an example of what might be done, and he hoped form a nucleus of a party which, when he was dead and gone, would guide New Zealand on in the paths of progress, and in all those qualities which a young nation should show to the rest of the world. He then proceeded to argue on the political questions of the day, being repeatedly applauded. At the conclusion of his address, a vote of confidence in the Government and a pledge of support, and also a vote of confidence in Mr Fisher, with a pledge to support him should a dissolution take place, were carried with only one dissentient.

A list of members for* the proposed New Guinea expedition closes on Friday next.

John Nelson, a Swede, bas been killed at Le Bon's Bay by a runaway truck on a bush tram nay.

Edward Quarterman, 19 years of age, was run over by an engine iv the railway engine shed, and bad both bis legs badly fractured.

The Premier visited Ashburton to-day. He speaks at a public meeting to night, and visits Akaroa to-morrow, where Mr Montgomery, the member for the district, will also speak.