THE PREMIER'S JAUNT.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVI, Issue 80, 13 April 1885, Page 3

THE PREMIER'S JAUNT.

The Premier waa highly p'Msed with his drive on Saturday through the outskirts of the district, and with the various incidents in the programme of entertainment. He was particularly struck by the energy and enterprise displayod by the Iron and Steel Company in the erection of such very complete works at Onehunga, and took the trouble to elicit full details as to the proposed operations. After this visit the party adjourned to the Terminus Hotel, where Mr John Lundon, at his own expense, had provided a sumptuous dinner, which was served by the Misses Lundon in really first-class. Mr J. D. Jackson (Mayor of Onehunga) took the chair, supported on tho right by the Premier, and on the left by Mr \V. R. Waddel (Mayor of Auckland), while Dr. Scott (ex-Mayor of Onehunga) filled tho vice-chair. After the last course had been discussed the health of the Queen waa toasted, and then the Chairman, in a neat and complimentary speech, proposed the health of Hon. Mr Stout, expressing the hope, as be did so, that his Government would remain in office so long aa they did their duty. The Premier, in reply, stated that his present visit to Auckland was dictated by the feeling that the occupant of such a responsible office was in duty bound to make himself acquainted with those parts of the colony ot which ho had no personal knowledge. In hia tour through the far North he had been pleased, not only with its many natural advantages, but alao with the energy of the settlers. He. was exceedingly pleased in his visit to Onehunga to see such capital expended and talent displayed in the most important industry the colony could possess—the industry that waa the parent of hundreds of others, and which was a greater incentive to settlement than tho richest of diggings. Ho did not bolievo in massing people and industry in ono centro, and that waa tho reoson why ho commended tho choice of Onohunga for tho aoat of the works. If Auckland had a noblo harbour and bountiful situation, Onohunga had thoso bracing S.W. broozes which tho larger city lacked. As for the Government, it but reflected tho Parliament, and in its turn Parliament mirrored the people. As tho pcoplo were, therefore-, so would thoir institutions bo. Mr Stout concluded by proposing health and prosperity to Onehunga, coupled with the name of the Mayor. Tho Chairman and Messrs M. H. Roe and J. Chambers responded. Tho Vico-Chairman proposed " Prosperity to Auckland," and the Mayors of Auckland and Parnell replied. Three cheers were then given for tho host and hostesses, and the party resumed their drive, tho route being over the Mangaro Bridge and along that district to Papatoitoi, thence by way of Otahuhu and Green Lane to Kemuera, and by way of Parnell to Quoen-street, which was reached at '1.50 p.m.