MR MASSEY ON THE WEST COAST.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 13721, 30 April 1910, Page 10

MR MASSEY ON THE WEST COAST.

(PBKSS ASSOCIATION IELEGEAM.)

HOKITIKA, April 29

'; Mr'W; F.>-Massey, Leader of the PEnosition,/visited' the Hoss Goldfields shaft to-day. ; ; The Trqjrfcings: are nowdry, to a depth of : 375 "feet, and Mr Massey, attired in oilskins and sou'descended 1 to th«-bottom. Hβ was miich '} interested, -in the extensive plant -and the operatidns of the company generally- ' i . ;~Mr .Massey .returned to Hokitika at seven tornight/ and was shortly afterwards .entertained- at, .a banquet by the Mayor and citizens of Hokitika. The Mayors of Kumara and Boss yrere among tie vi?j(tors. -.; The gathering was of a non-political character, and the function passed off most successfully. ■■•■.;;,:■■ '.-';. ';. .;.,: .-.■■-■ ' ■■•;. Mr 'Massey,, will meet ; a deputation ati Greymouth tormprrow.in* connection with the Native question. : '-:. ' ' {sPECUIi,TO.:'t'THB V *in!ffißß."): •=', : -: r V HOKITIKi, April 29.- ---'"'".' At to-niglit'e banquet the Mayor of Hokitika (Mr H." L; Michel) presided, and the yic€Wshaira > were filled by, Mr J A. Murdoch (county chairman and Mayor of Kumara) and Mr T. W. Bruce (Mayor of Ross); •;. In i the course ■of his reply rto the. toast of his health, Mr Massey said his visit had given him > a great deal of pleasure, and-had resulted in removing many erroneous impressions he - had formed. He had changed his former opinion that the West Coast was a .wbrked-out goldfield. . Ho was qtiite convinced that Westland had a great, future, and that it would carry a large population. He was not in a position to. speak authoritatively, but he could promise that when any matter affecting Westland was brought up in Parliament, it would have his snpport, if he believed it to be> in the interests of the district and the Dominion at large.