RAGLAN.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 2751, 1 March 1890, Page 3

RAGLAN.

Visit of the Hon. J. Bryce.—Certainly, thus far, the event of the year has been the visit of the member for Waipa to this district. Mr E. Lake drove the honourable gentleman over in his buggy, arriving in Raglan on Friday afternoon. As a large number of sheep purchased at the Ohaupo sale were being driven over, clouds of dust arose from the road, and Mr Bryce suffered somewhat in consequence. Shortly after Mr Bryce's arrival he was joined by the chairman of the Raglan County Council, Mr Thos. Mitchell, and during the afternoon that gentleman had the pleasure of showing both Mr Bryce and Mr Luke over the new wharf, walking to the end of it and looking over the new store, which is nearing its completion. Mr Bryce took great interest in this important public work, and expressed satisfaction with the structure. After coming from the inspection of the wharf Mr Bryce went into the Harbour View Hotel, where he stayed whilst here, and during the day was interviewed by several settlers who had come in to see him from various parts of the district. Next morning (Saturday), although rain had fallen during the night and continued until early next day, Mr Bryce, accompanied by Mr Luke, crossed over from the township to the other side of the Opotoko Creek, where the chairman of the county was waiting with horses to convey them to his residence at Wainui. Passing through the native land of Papahua and through the Maori settlement of Te Kopua, past the Pilot station reserve, and across the new bridge erected over the Wainui creek by the County Council, they arrived about noon at the residence of the county chairman. After dining there and resting for a while the party returned to Raglan during the afternoon. Mr Bryce was much pleased with the appearance of the district, and expressed himself favourably impressed with the good quality of the soil. This being his first visit and as Mr Mitchell's farm is certainly one of the best cultivated in the district, Mr Bryce had an opportunity of seeing what the Wainui side of Raglan could do in the cultivation of the soil. The Pilot station too was inspected. A large number of settlers arrived during the afternoon and evening, to be present at the public meeting, and during the time previous to the meeting many of them saw Mr Bryce who expressed great pleasure in being made known to the members of his constituency. As evening crept on settlers in buggies and on horseback were seen to be fast coming into the township to welcome Mr Bryce. Mr Bryce left Raglan about 10 a.m. on Sunday morning for the Hot Springs, Mr Picken, of that locality, kindly taking him up in his boat. At the landing stage Mr Bryce was met by a number of influential settlers, amongst others being Messrs Cogswell. Picken, Wilson, Seccombe and Vining. They then proceeded to the Hot Springs Hotel. Mr Bryce expressed himself very much pleased with the hot springs and with the excellent quality of the land of the various settlers on the road, Messrs Picken, J. K. McDonald, Seccombe, Chilston, and other properties being passed on the road to the Springs. Mr Bryce was to proceed to Ngaruawhia at 2 p.m. on Monday afternoon, a number of gentlemen having arranged to accompany him. and he was to be met at Firewood Creek by another deputation. Mr S. Wilson, of the Hot Springs Hotel, had unfortunately to attend the Resident Magistrates Court, Raglan, thus preventing his accompanying Mr Bryce. In conclusion I may truly say that Mr Bryce's visit has been most satisfactory to most of the settlers of Raglan, and they look with a firm belief that he is the " Coming Man." Mr Luke is staying behind in Raglan until tomorrow, when he leaves for home, to be present at Mr Bryce's meeting at Ohaupo on Thursday next. Mr Lake has rendered great benefit to the district in kindly bringing Mr Bryce over, and from his knowledge of our district, also rendered what information he could to Mr Bryce.