The Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR P.M. Resurrexi. TUESDAY, MAY 20, 1884.

Thames Star, Volume XV, Issue 4793, 20 May 1884, Page 2

The Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR P.M. Resurrexi. TUESDAY, MAY 20, 1884.

The Honorable Major Harry Albert Atkinson, the Premier of Colony, arrived here this afternoon per s.s. Roto, mahana from Auckland, and in accordance with the arrangements made by the local governing bodies at the joint meeting held yesterday, was received on landing by His Worship the Mayor, the County Chairman, and the other members of the reception committee. As our distinguished visitor has hitherto oconpied a most prominent position in connection with several of the Ministries of the colony, and, in conjunction with some who have now passed away, has assisted materially in shaping our destiny, a short retrospect of his political career may be interesting to onr readers. His advent as a Minister was in 1864, when he succeeded the Hon. Thomas Russell as Minister for Colonial Defence in the Weld Ministry on the introduction of what was then known as the self-reliant policy—a policy which embraced the withdrawal of the whole of the British forces then stationed in the colony, and the removal of the seat of Government to Wellington. The hon. gentleman was then succeeded by the Hon. Colonel Haul tain, who acted in the same capacity for the Hon. Sir E. Stafford as Major Atkinson did for Mr (now Sir Frederick) Weld. Daring an interregnum of eight years, between 1865 and 1873 the Hon. Major Atkinson did not take a very active part in political matters, but attended to the affairs of his farm in Taranaki, which had suffered severely daring the disastrous warfare which had been going on in that, bright but unfortunate part of the colony. He joined the Vogel Ministry on the 7th September, 1873, aa Secretary of Crown Lands, and on the 10th of the same month as Minister for Immigration. In the Pollen Ministry, which succeeded that of Sir Julius Vogel, Major Atkinson was brought forward for the first time as a financier, for in addition to the positions ha held in the previous Ministry that of Colonial Treasurer was added to his other duties. Sir Julius Vogel again assumed the Premiership on the 15th Feb., 1876, but as he took to himself the duties of the Treaiury, Major Atkinson reverted

to his previous positions—that of Commissioner of Customs being substituted for tbe gTreasurership. His industry and ability, were, 'however, soon recognised, for on the retirement of Sir Julius Yogel from the parliamentary arena to the more comfortable, coveted, and lucrative position of Agent' General, the Hon. Major Atkinson, on the Ist September, 1876, assumed the proud position of Premier of this important young colony, and with the exception of the period during the j reign of the Grey Government, had held some office in every succeeding Ministry. We may state that it was Major Atkinson who wiped off the Thames Borough and Epad Boards overdraft in 1876—a simple act of grace and jastice to this district, but one which cost his Ministry their portfolios at the time. Although a stranger | to these parts, yet so^deep was his interest in the encouragement (of the mining in* dustry, that he [agreed to transfer to the Thames County JConncilJ what was then known as the Big Pump securities, and the Water Eace,!.'on condition that tbe County kept the Big Pump going for two years; which agreement was faithfully carried out by both parties. We need hardly say that"the handing over of the Water Bacejto local control,?and its subsequent!; management by Mr Aitken, County Engineer, has had a most beneficial influence ' on! the production of our staple industry. As the gallant Major has the name of being a practical speaker, we therefore anticipate a large attendance at the meeting to be held to-night, when, no doubt, the audience will hear something of interest. It is unnecessary to add that the proverbial good sense of the people of the Thames will most assuredly prevail, and the speaker be thanked for his kindness in addressing them.