THE Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. Resurrexi. TUESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 1878.

Thames Star, Volume IX, Issue 3064, 10 December 1878, Page 2

THE Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. Resurrexi. TUESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 1878.

In view of the probability of an early visit from the Premier, the Minister for Public Works, and the Minister for Native Affairs, and of the fact that any further communication with Ministers by means of telegrams would amount to worrying, it might be well for the local bodies and the public to decide upon a programme to be carried out in the event of the Ministers mentioned above coming to the district. First and foremost We have an assurance that Sir George Grey will pay a visit to his constituents as soon as convenient after his rest at I the Kawau. Then Mr Macandrew has stated that he will shortly be in Auckland (he was to leave for the North yesterday), and no doubt he will extend his visit to this place; and finally we learn by telegram that the Hon. J. Sheehau is on his way North to accompany Sir George Grey on his visit to Whangarei and other places in the North Island. It is therefore possible that we may be favored with a visit from three Ministers of the Crown at the same time. Under the circumstances of a possibility of such an event happening, it would be well to make some arrangements for their reception, as well es to arrange for fully placing before them what are deemed to be the peally pressing wants of the district. In any interview with Ministers the railway question from a Thames, point of view can be much mope forcibly urged than by means of letters or telegrams. We can point to whathasjbeen done during eleven years of European settlement as an indication of what might have been done under more advantagaotfs pjrpumstances; and in some respects the Thawea #an phallenge comparison with any part of ih£ £olpny as to the progress of settlement, for few fining centres of the same age can show the sapje class of buildings, excellent roads and footpaths, local institutions, or evidences of a moj?* fndustrious populationWhat it would have be,<?£ fr&d the soil been the property of the Qoyernmenjt, tp deal .with #s they saw fit, we cannot say, but the p.rogress wp#}d undoubtedly have feciamor.e'mar.ke.d. Besid,ep |Lkjs railway qMes\iQ» t the visit of Ministers ishogj^ aifbrd % £004 opportunity for se.Uliny ,th ( e Komat* discuky, tf'hjefr lias .been delicately handled by the County Council,

but to which the i'romier and the Native Minister could possibly render good assistance in placing upon a satisfactory basis. The acquirement of the freehold of this goldfield and the portions of the township still beld by the natives, might very well be made a subject of discussion with our expected guests, as also the comple. tion of the purchase of the block known as the Ohinemuri goldfield, on which large sums of money have been paid, but which still remains in suspense. It is not our purpose, however, to indicate all that should be done if the three Ministers named pay the-Thames a visit. What has been said is more in the way of giving a cue to those who may be expected to initiate proceedings. The opening of the lands is a most important point, so is the snagging of the Waihou River, and many others could be enumerated but for the fact that mentioning them all might be construed into a reflection upon the wakefulness of the local governing bodies. With regard to the reception of Ministers when they come, we hope it will be loyal and hearty. We do not go in for a display of arches or anything in the nature of a triumphal re-entry, but let us treat them in the orthodox fashion—to a good "spread," and afterwards devote the time to business. Our member/ Sir George Grey, has not yet been entertained at a banquet by his constituents, and his forthcoming visit affords a very good chance for making up past shortcomings, [besides, perhaps, showing Mr MacanI drew a taste of our quality, and renewing towards Mr Sheehan the good opinion expressed to him a few years ago. ., „