THE PREMIER AT REEFTON.

Westport Times, Volume VI, Issue 931, 24 February 1872, Page 2

THE PREMIER AT REEFTON.

On "Wednesday a deputation of about twenty persons, representing both miners and business people, were introduced to the Premier by E. J. O'Conor, Esq., M.H.R. Mr William Pitt read and presented the following address:— To the Honorable "William Fox, Premier of New Zealand : Sie, —The inhabitants of Reefton, in public meeting assembled, have appointed this deputation in the name pf the meeting, to welcome you to this district, and to express their warm appreciation of the consideration which has prompted a visit from one so prominently connected with the Government of New Zealand to this much neglected but most important part of the colony. We are to urge the question of the early extension of the Telegraph to Reefton. The present large operations in reefs, and the prospect of immediate issues of scrip in several companies, besides general business operations, cannot fail to make the line not only of eminent service to the district, but also to the whole colony; and there can therefore be no doubt of its proving in the highest degree remunerative to the Telegraph Department. Connected with this subject is the establishment of additional postal communication by way of Greymouth ; the opening of a money order office and savings bank in connection with the post office, and the appointment of an official distributor of stamps. The latter want is most pressing—at the present moment not a duty stamp of any denomination being procurable. i Another subject which the inhabitants think it desirable to bring before the Government is that of in-! creased representation, and it is hoped that at the next sitting of Parliament this important district may receive attention in this direction.

As the winter months are fast ai proaching it becomes a question, vital importance and of extreme Oft ency that the roads from Eeefton, \ the newly discovered reefs at. Boj man's, to the Buller junction, and! the Ahaura to Greymouth, should 1 forthwith commenced and complete from end to end without delay. S less such a course is adopted a staf of things too dreadful to contempt will ensue—involving a serious reapo sibility upon those to whom wanna in plenty have been addressed, b hitherto without avail.

The permanent appointment of Warden, it is presumed will not 1 delayed beyond the completion of tl necessary arrangements. Still we ai asked to call your attention to 1 tl necessity which exists upon this poii It is hoped that tfte importance the topics suggested, and the rare ai valuable opportunity of presentii them personally to the head of tl Government will he sufficient exeu for this lengthened intrusion upc your time. We have the honor to be, Sir, Tour obedient servants, Mr Pitt stated that there was u esseutial matter that had cropped i since the address had been prepared respect to the £24,000 available I roads. He went into figures, shewii that it was intended to expend on £4500 of the £24,000 between Eeeft and the Inangahua Junction, name £2350, between the Landing a: Boatman's ; £IOOO in repairing tra between the Junction and Landii and £250 for a punt over the Inanj hua River. He trusted that no si arrangement was contemplated would depart from the original g posal to form a dray road betwf the Inangahua Junction and Eeeli! Mr Fox, in reply, expressed t great interest and satisfaction his ri had been attended with to himself, t how warmly he reciprocated the kin< feelings expressed in the address. ] Government had felt it a disadvant that none of its members had visi the gold workings between Westj and Hokitika. To repair that dis vantage, he had determined at earliest moment to visit that part the colony and see for himself thea dition of things. He had heard s contradictory statements that in on to arrive at a correct opinion ther was necessary. He had heard ; hon. member for Grey Valley as that there was not three miles decent road in this portion of the f vince; and, on the other hand, Superintendent had affirmed thattk were 500 miles of dray roads i good horse tracks in this portion ofl Province. After his visit he should able to judge of thecorrectness of eh assertion or how far these contra tions could be reconciled. He mised to represent very strongl Mr Lemon the necessity of extenc the telegraph line to lieefton via G: mouth, and should urge upon kin visit the district himself. In rest

to the establishment of a post of and money order office there she be no delay, and an authorised tributor of stamps would follow quickly as possible. In respect increased representation that f matter resting entirely with the & ral Assembly. He himself had objection to some alteration nil respect, as they were clearly enti to it in consequence of the rapidlj creasing population and probable; manence of the district. But bee not promise that the Assembly ffl be so disposed to meet their view that respect as he himself. Win gard to the Buller and Reefton! he knew of no arrangement l would interfere with the espenditu the £24,000 on a good permanent between Greymouth and the Ina hua Junction. He warmly sji thised with their apprehensions i the serious results possibly accr if the roads were not put in hand. Other matters were discussed ing reference to a change in system of Government, to whid Premier replied that they should i up their minds and instruct thei presentatives as to the change desired. The deputation then thanked Premier and withdrew.