THE PRIME MINISTER.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 13742, 25 May 1910, Page 7

THE PRIME MINISTER.

PROCEEDS TO THE WEST COAST

Tho Prime Minister (Sir Ward), accompanied by Miss LUeen \\ i<r d nnd Messrs Hislop .and Andrews q.nvate secretaries), arrived in Chmtchurch yesterday from Wellington, and proceeded to the West Const via Broken River and Otifa. To-day he goes on to Eokitika, where he will \i»v.'i! the freddou niemoni!. a»d this evening, in response to an invitation, he will deliver a political ad<lr«ss. On Ihuwdny a number of denuiations will bo• reaped, and n>.the evening Sir Joseph wH be-entertained by the Mayor and Councillors. On Friday ho proce.,ls to Rod ton, and r,ftor dealing with sc-vcral public mat-, terfthere hi will return to Greynioufh, where, in tho. afternoon, .ho will attend a function in connection with the IVirie memorial fence. In the evening he will be the guest.of the Mayor ai& Councillors. On Saturday morninc Sir Joseph will leave for <-l.jr«-h. «n roat-e for Wellington, vhere he will arrive on Sunday ingTHE HIGH COMMISSIONER. Sir Joseph stated, in an interview with a "Press" reporter, that cables received from Mr Hall-Jones were quite satisfactory, so far as his he-altJi w.'.s concerned. Mr Hall-Jonos, had sulk red*, from an attack ,ot famtuess, lut messages received from him suosenutntlv indicated that be "had com-' petely'recovered. Sir Joseph added that tbo last reports he received from Hall-Jones by mail were exceedingly favourable, and Mr Hall-Jones, appeared to have got over his .previous ucisposition very satisfactorily indeed. THE AUCKLAND ELECTION. Sir Joseph said thai he would xiot discuss the Auckland East election in the meantime. He had not so far offi-<-«>lly coTimunicatc-l the fact ot 3!r Baume's death to the Soaker, as ho was" awaiting official confirmation of tbo news of the sad event. . He was expecting to leceive that ccnfiimat : r,n at any time, and as soon as it came he xu<uld* advise the Speaker, who woi'id then issue the election writ. PUBLIC BUILDINGS IN CHBIfrT'CHURCH. Tenders will be invited shortly for the erection of Government buildings in Christchurch, which aro to bo eitctei at tbo coriier of Worcester street ai:d the Square, opposite "The PrßSs" <.!lico. Sir Joseph stated that . the rvhole block was to bo put up, and it would take about two years to complete the building. It had formerly tceu intended to put up only half the building, but this had been Toviewod m f.ivour of making the whole thing oqrnjrfote. The erection of thfc building would mean the concentration of the wJiole of the different public offices, the exception of the Post and Telegraph and Rail ways. Sir Joseph eu'sidered that it would be moro economical to carry the construction of tho building right out to a finish instead of doing.it in pieces.