REPRESENTATIVES' TOUR OF INSPECTION. [BY TELEGRAPH.— SPACIAL REPORTER.]

Waikato Times, Volume XVIII, Issue 1485, 10 January 1882, Page 2

REPRESENT A TIVES' TO UR OF INSPECTION. [BY TE LEGRAPH.— SPACIAL REPORTER.]

( ,-. ,< - Auckland, Last Night. Alesrrs Siikeiiax, Whitakee, Whyte, and Capt. Morris spent the most part of Friday in the vicinity of Te Aroha, in communication with a large number of the townspeople and others. During the day a cavalcade was formed, anr! the p.irty proceeded on horseback to the top of the spur on which the Buck Reef is situated, from whence, in addition to the oppoitiwity they obtained for observing that extraordinary rock, a most extensive view of the Upper Thames and Waikato plains was obtained. At Te Aroha the party received a hearty welcome, and every possible assistance was given them in the prosecution of their enquiries. Late in the afternoon they set out en route for Paeroa. The road through the swamp in the vicinity of Paeroa not being finished, the vehicle had to be dragged through a steep and dangerous declivity, over which the old track passes. The performance was a most difficult one, and what tended to increase the difficulty was the fact that darkness had set in. The trap had to be securely bound with ropes and lowered over the precipice in a kind of hand-sling, in a way which sorely taxed the ingenuity of the driver and the strength and patience of all concerned. Young, by whom the party was driven, displayed a fertility of resource aud skill in the performance ot his duties under this and similar difficulties worthy of great praise. Without serious accident, they reached Paeroa at an advanced hour of the evening. The visit not being unexpected, a considerable concourse of persons were about to receive them. Saturday was spent in the neighbourhood, some of tin. 1 more remotely situated of the outlying workings being visited, and the surrounding districts explored and their requirements noted. In doing so, valuable assistance was rendered by the Thames County engineer, who, together with the County Chairman and the Mayor of Graliamstown, had come up from the Thames expressly for the purpose. In the evening a public meeting was convened, which the members attended by special invitation. Being situated in the lanranga electorate, Capt. Morris too 1 ! a principal part in the proceedings. A long list of suggestions were made, and the affairs generally of the locality fully discussed. Mr Sheehan spoke at considerable length re the importance of getting the Thames- Waikato railway pushed forward with additional activity. He ui'C'Pil the community of interest that existed as between Waikato, the Thames aud the surrounding districts generally, pointing out in telling language the immense advantage that would be secured by the completion of railway communication. Altogether, the proceedings were of a character which must tend to cement the natural relations which undoubtedly exist as between these various centres. Capt. Morris met with a painful, although not by any means dangerous accident. He was kicked on the leg by his horse, and a severe laceration inflicted. The result was it was deemed right that he should return home as fast as po&siblc, instead of as originally projected, going on with the others to the Thames. On Sunday morning a start was made for Grahamstown. Up to this point the weather had been remarkably good — overpowenngly hot if anything. Heavy ram, however, had now commenced falling, and the party left Paeroa between some heavy showers, which were not long in overtaking them, and the first part of the journey was peiformed amidst great discomfort. Later on, however, the weather cleared up, and Grahamstown was made at an early hour of the afternoon without difficulty. Here an audience was had with Mr Kenrick, the Warden, from whom information and suggestions were obtained. To-day (Monday) Messrs Whitaker and Whyte came on to Auckland, leaving Mr Sheehan at the Thames. The fact that this is the first occasion upon which a wheeled vehicle had gone through from Hamilton to Grahamstown has been commented upon by the local press, in terms which proves the great importance attached to the opening up of direct through communication between these two places. Mr Cadman was prevented from joining the party, although intimation was leceivecl of his entire acquiescence jts in objects.