THE PREMIER'S VISIT.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume LIII, Issue 2779, 9 June 1903, Page 2

THE PREMIER'S VISIT.

The Premier wa. unavoidably detained on the West Coast. On Friday we heard, through Mr Buchanan, of Little River, that he would not arrive till the end of the week. "His Worship the Mayor received the following telegram:—" I regret I shall not be able to visit the Peninsula as early as I hoped. I have asked. Mr Laurenson to arrange definitely for party to leave Christchurch on morning of Thursday, the 11th inst, and I will stay one night and deliver address.—R. J, Seddon." Mr Laurenson wired Mr Bruce on Saturday, ..s under :—" Premier cannot arrive Christchurch until Tuesday. Asks me arrange leave for Peninsula Thursday morning. Will spend night Akaroa and deliver speech. Mrs Seddon, Capt. Seddon and three Secretaries accompany him. Tell Orbell. Reply.—Lautcenson."

The County Chairman, Mr Bruce, was busy all yesterday, making final arrangements for the visit, and the following programme has now been definitely arranged :—

The Premier and party leave Christchurch by special train at 9 a.m. on Thursday. A stoppage will be made at Motukarara and the party will drive to Gebbie's Valley, where the foundation stone of the new public hall will be laid. A return will then be made to the train and the journey resumed, Little River Station being reached at noon. After receiving deputations on the railway platform, the party which includes Mr and Mrs Seddon, Mr Wolfe, and three private secretaries, will drive to Mr Hugh Buchanan's residence, at Kinloch, where they will lunch, resuming the journey to Akaroa at 2 p.m. The Premier will speak in the Oddfellow's Hall, at 8 p.m. on Thursday night. On Friday morning, commencing at 9 o'clock, Mr Seddon will receive the following deputations at Bruce's Hotel:—

For the formation of the proposed counties of Akaroa and Wainui and Eastern Bays—Messrs John Pettigrew, George Mason and G. Checkley. Against the severance of the County —Messrs J. D. Bruce and E. E. Lelievre.

Extension of railway to Akaroa— His Worship the Mayor, the County Chairman, and Messrs E. E. Lelievre and C. W. Leete.

Improvement of public buildings in Akaroa —His Worship the Mayor and Messrs Geo. Armstrong, G. Checkley and W. H. Henning.

After receiving the deputations the Premier will be driven to Little River, seeing as much as possible of the county on his way, and will return to Christchurch on Friday evening.