THE BOER DELEGATES.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume LIII, Issue 2751, 20 February 1903, Page 2

THE BOER DELEGATES.

Mr Ritchie wired Mr Moritzson, under date 17th insfc., from Hastings, as follows :—"Could leave Christchurch mcrning train Monday, and reach Little River 11 a.m. Thence drive Akaroa. Must, however, get back to Christchurch Tuesday (train or boat). Three ladies and four gentlemen in party."

Mr Moritzson replied:—" If cannot manage special train Monday morning, would make long day of it, but would strongly urge leave all arrangements intact. Ladies could drive direct to Akaraa. Arrangements carefully thought out, and, unless carried out;, delegates would not see some picked country nor stock, which will be specirlly mustered and ready for them." The following reply was then received from Mr Ritchie, at Eketahuna, 18th: -" Inadvisable try do too much, Delegates have already seen stock* Wish to see Cocksfoot. Think better drive whole way."

To which Mr Moritzson replied :— " Can arrange to drive whole party from Little River to Akaroa. Please reply immediately if I shall complete arrangements for direct drive."

Mr Ritchie replied from Mast3i'ton, 18th;—"You can arrange to drive whole way. Can stop on way if necessary. Everything depends upon the weather."

From the latter telegrams Mr, Moritzson gathered that firstly the party did not wish to be split' up, owing to the presence of the ladies and that it was feared the route originally chosen to be made partly on horseback Was too much for one day, and as Mi , Ritchie requested to drive, it being impossible to negotiate the Port Levy road from the Western Valley, Little River, by buggy, this route had to be abandoned. Mr Moritason immediately telegraphed and wrote to Mr Fleming and Mr Thos. Hay to that effect, thanking them for their kindness, and regretting their estates could not be visited. The following plan will now be carried out; — Should the weather be bad the party will arrive at Little River, inspect Mr Coop's seed cleaning, and thence drive by coach direct to Akaroa, but if the weather is fine, they will be driven in two buggies over the Summit road via Long Bay road to Akaroa."^

Cocksfoot threshing will be witnessed en route, and Mrs Robert Latter has kindly offered to have an alfresco afternoon tea awaiting the party on arrival at the Little Akaloa Saddle.

On Tuesday morning, at ten o'clock, the party will go, by glaunch Piraki, round the harbour to Barry's Bay, where they will be the guests of Mr and Mrs Robert Latter for luncheon, and thence go in buggies to Little River to catch the afternoon train for. » Christchurch.