MINISTERIAL TRAVELS.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XII, Issue 3794, 25 April 1891, Page 2

MINISTERIAL TRAVELS.

VISIT TO THE FORTY-MILE } BUSH. J ' } t The Hons. John Ballaace (Premier) and John M'Kenzie (Minister of 1 Lands), accompanied by Mr A. W. 1 Hogg, M.H.R., proceeded to Paliiatua ; to inspect the Village Settlements on j Thursday. Arriving shortly after four | o'clock they contented themselves by visiting the new suspension bridge I which spans the Mangatainoka, and which has recently been opened. In the evening they were interviewed at Stewart's Hotel by deputations on almost every conceivable subject, fiom roads and bridges to claims of old soldiers. On Friday morning, shortly after eight o'clock, thoy were driven by Mr Job Vile to the village settlements. Proceeding to Pahiatua west they called upon Mr Croßbie, and were delighted at the evidences ol thrift and industry here displayed. Having • reached the top of the hill they secured an excellent view of the large area of cleared country in the Masterton-Mangahao and Woodville Mangahao settlements. Retracing their slep3 they proceeded along the central road and came out at the Dudley Arms. At the village section of Mr Knight they were met by a numerous deputation and presented by Mr Kemper, on behalf of the settlers, with a complimentary address. The Hons. Ballance and M'Kenzie and Mr Hogg replied. An hour was spent conferring with settlers on various subjects. After lunching at ihe Pud ley Arms hotel an inspection was made of the various sections on the road to Pahiatua, including those of Messis Kemper and Jessop. As it was uow getting late in the af ernoon the company did not stay at Pahiatua, but drove on to Eketahuna, where they arrived at 6.30. A few minutes later they were entertained at dinner at Mr Toohill's hotel by the loc.tl "branch of ihe Knights of Labor. Mr Henry Aulin presided, aod very briefly introduced the Ministers. Having partaken of an excel.ent repast, the Hons Ballance and McKenzie delivered eloquent speeches, in which they thanked the company for their generous hospitality. Mr Hogg. also spoke, and took advantage of the opportunity for thanking the electors of that part for their support in the late election, Mr. A. Anderson spoke also at some length. The vice-chair was occupied by Mr. W. Murdoch, Secretary of the Knights of .Labour. The company dispersed about midnight, i During the evening more than ai dozen deputations waited upon j the Ministers on various subjects. The Ministers arrived in Masterton by the early train this morning. They will be deputationised by tlie Knights of Labour at one o'clock, and leave for Wellington by the afternoon train,

;[By Telegraph.]

(From Our Own Correspondent.)

Eiustahuna, Saturday,

The Ministerial Banquet was held last night at Toohill's Hotel. The guests present besides the Knights of Labour were the Hons. Ballance and McKenzie, and Messrs A Anderson, Morriss, Dowsett, W Bayliss, Maher, Caflery, and Tyler. After dinner the Premier spoke in flattering terms of the Knights of Labour, with whose platform he entirely agreed, The Minister of ljands spoke of the success of the Pahi itua Village Settlements, and informed them that the present visit was to ascertain the wants of settlers. Both Ministers were well recived. Mr Hogg was received with great cheering and said he wasaKnightof Labour ai d not ashamed to own it. Measts Anderson and Murdoch also spoke Several deputations waited on the Ministers. Messra Anderson, Bayliss, and others asked for a road to be made by the Government to Mount Baker Block. Mr Herbert and others asked for land near Eketahuna for a Special Settlement. Mr Murdoch and the Knights of Labor asked that no more Crown Lands should be sold except on perp tuallease and also that settlers be rent free for the first two years, and then have a graduated rental. They also asked would the Government advocate a scheme to give a fifty per cent, advance to settlors on improvements. Pull considetation was promised in each case.