THE PREMIER.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVI, Issue 66, 18 March 1905, Page 5

THE PREMIER.

DEPUTATIONS AT TAURANGA.

ißy Tel.grs.p_ Special to che "Star. )

TAURANGA, this day-

The Premier to-day formally openeu the King Edward Esplanade, which rurwater front lor the full length of the township. A crowd numbei.ng several hundxeus was present. The Premier was escorted by the Tauranga and ie Puke Rifles. The Rev. Mr Jordan. Mayor, presided. The Premier made a suitable address, referring in particular to the necessity of settling the_ land in this district, and congratulating the borough on its successful completion or the work. The Premier will be banqueted to night, ana leaves for Rotorua anu Wellington to-morrow. The Premier was waited on by a number of deputations at Tauranga to-day. The Council urged the re-erection of the Government buildings destroyed by fire some years ago. The town was suffer in" 1 "feat inconvenience through the lack °of postal accommodation. The courthouse also was inadequate. The Premier .stated \hat tenders had been called, but were considered too hi.u'i. The second time they were called they were higher still. It was decided t<communicate with the lowest tenderer on the first occasion to ascertain if he would undertake the work. If not. tin Government would itself erect the buildings. Replying to the question as to whether the Council could borrow under the cheap money scheme for waterworks aDd gas works, the Premier stated that the application for waterworks would be considered under the Loans to Local Roilies Act "if a detailed scheme were submitted. There was no power, he be lieved. to lend money for gas works. The Council also asked if they could convert the loan raised from the sinking fund commissioners at seven per cent. The Premier replied that there was no chance of getting out of theii responsibility. The Railway League asked for railway connection either with Waihi or the Rotorua line at Mamaku. They stated that they were eight hours from the present termini, and the district was retarded by the lack of facilities for getting away produce. They pointed out that the Te Puke line would be cheaply constructed, the grades being easy, while only one bridge and one culvert would be necessary. Such a line would give an outlet for produce, fruit, fish, and stock. The Premier, replying, pointed out that Parliament did not authorise railways without public pressure. He suggested thtit the amount of traffic on the railway should be forwarded to Government. The Mamaku line could he completed according to an estimate at about £4000 a mile, but the best route would have to be ascertained by the Government engineer. The best way to get railways was to increase the settlement by forming committees in each settlement and supplying information as to the land available, thus increasing settlement, which must eventually result in a railway bein? constructed. Nobody knew thrt there were thousands of acres of Crown land at Tauranga available for settlement. He promised to bring the request under the notice of the Minister. A deputation from the Chamber of Commerce brought up the matter of tourist suggesting that the Department should adverise the scenic and historic attractions of the district. The Premier said he would be only too happy to bring the matter under the notice of the Tourist Department. One member suggested that the Gate Pa should be restored to the condition it was in at the fight. The Premier humorously suggested that bodies of troops and natives! should also be kept on hand to have fights at the pa occasionally. The next request was for the immediate construction of the Kaimairoad, n eading to the Waikato. The Premier said the road was to he completed. He would bring the matter under the notice of the Minister for Roads and Lands. It was pointed out that over ten thousand acres of military grants were unoccupied, retarding the progress of the district. The Premier said the Public Trustee should deal with the matter. He would instruct him to send round an agent to see whether the lands have not reverted to the Crown. Probably a bill would be introduced preserving the rights where the terms of the irrants have been complied with, and throwing open the remainder for selection.