MINISTERIAL TOUR.

Press, Volume XLI, Issue 6054, 10 February 1885, Page 2

MINISTERIAL TOUR.

rPBHSS ASSOCIATION TBLVQBJUf.J WELLINGTON, February 9. The Ministerial party were entertained at a public banquet on Friday evening last, the County Chairman presiding, and Mr Menteath, M.HJR., being in the vice chair. There were between fifty and sixtypersons present, including Messrs Leveet&in and Seddon, M.H.E.'s. The speeches d». livered were of the usual congratulatory character, and the affair was very successful. On the following morning the Premies and the Minister of Mines visited all the principal mines,andwereshown through'the workings. They returned to Beef ton in the evening. Deputations were received on local public affairs. In the evening the Premier delivered a public addrese to an audience of between three and four hundred persons, the County Chairman again presiding. On the platform were Messrs Menteath, Seddon, and Lovestam,M.H.B/s. The Premier for an hour and a half spoke upon general politics, but diet: not allude to local government. The whole of the address was well received. Mr Seddon next addressed this meeting, speaking for over an hour. He cornbatted Borne of the statements of the Premier, bnt in the main expressed thefolleet approval of the policy of the Government. Mr Menteath, ai.H.R, in moving a vote cf thanks, said he had been taken by surprise at the evident drift and tendency of the address. He had certainly not come prepared to meet anything, like a direct attack upon himectf. He hinted, however, at the possibility oi! a dissolution at no distant date, and said the people would do well to be on their guard. He was compelled to believe that the Premier's address was designed to under* mine his (Menteath's) influence with hist constituents, and this he resented as being i inappropriate to such an occasion. The ; Premier disclaimed any such intention, ' i and treated lightly the suggestion as to the possibility of a dissolution. The pre».,. sent Ministry, he said, were not going to j< be got rid of so easily. Several amend* ; mente were proposed to the motion, the object ef which wa» to add a vote of confidence in the Ministry to that of thanks to the Premier for hi address. This was ■ eventually carried, but many of those present did not votes. There was a good deal. of comment at the clese of the meeting • upon the adroitness of thia-Hinisterial. move, and the opinion was pretty widely shared that it was in some respects an* abuse of the occasion. , INVEBCABGILL, Februuy9.* The Minister for Public Works has had - a busy day in the district. He went to the - Bluff this morning, where he was inter--jrie wed re harbor and municipal endowments. Bluff cement, and other enbjeots, - On hie return he was interviewed on man; subjects, the principal being [the railway - charges by measurement on the port line from the Bluff. It was urged that -.' only 9000 tons were imported direct, at-. against 16,000 tons via Port Chalmers to*, Invercargill Harbor during the year, in consequence of the high ratee charged OB ' the Bluff line. The Minister promised to give the question full consideration, and A that it will be dealt with on its merits. - A deputation re the Seaward Bosh line aaid .£II,OOO bad been placed on the estimates for the railway, and < they wished to know when tenders*', would be called for another contract. Mr' Bichardson said a portion of the money was being spent, and when the present"' contract was completed orders for platelaying would be called for. At Eiverton the Minister was interviewed on a number - of local and general questions. On his return to Invercargill Mr Bichardson received a deputation on district subjects, which decupied him tall % p.m. He leaves, for Queenstown to-morrow morning.