PROGRESSIVE TIMARU.

Press, Volume LXVIII, Issue 14307, 19 March 1912, Page 7

PROGRESSIVE TIMARU.

A CITY EXCURSION

The Mayor and Councillors ef Timaru broke new ground when they invited the public of Christchurch, and particularly the City Fathers, to visit their town, and be their one day. Timaru was in the position of a son who had lort homo on perfectly amicable terms, inviting his parents to couic and sec how he had grown. The invitation was very heartily accepted, and the out-come was that between 800 and yOO people assembled at the Christchurch KaLway Station, ready and willing to m:\ka the journey to Tiicaru. The morning, as it turned out, was deceitfully lair. Tho train and its human freight had hardiy gone twenty miles,' at v shockingly slow pace, beioro tUe fuoe of the &Ky changed, and ram commenced to fa.l. Tiiv worst was anticipated when it was ascertained that tuo wind was in tho south-west, and there wer 0 visions of a dreary day sheltering from a never ceasing downpour. Even at Tiniaru rain was falling when the train arrived, thirty or forty minutes lute. Tho wot took tho keen edge off the reception, but fortunately tho first item on everybody's programme was lunch. Tho Mayor and Councillors of Timaru were at tho station to extend the gad hand of welcome, and to conduct, the City Fathers and a few other guests to the civic luncheon. The other excursionists, who included in their numbers bowling and Tennis teams, distributed themselves about tho town, had lunch, and waited for tho sky to clear. The official Umcheon was held in Hutchison's Cafe. The Mayor of Timaru (Mr James Craigie, M.P.) presided, and the guests were—The Mayor of Christclvurch, Hon. J. Barr, M.T..C, Hon. J. Anstey, M.L.C., Mr G- W. Russell, M.P., Councillors A. S. Taylor. E. Smith, H. B. Sorensen, W. Miller, F. Burgovno, A. Williams, H. Hoi , and. 11. HunteV, C. D. Morris, A. D. Hart, Mr H. R. Smith (Town Clerk), Mr W. H. Triegs (editor "The Press"), Mr G. W. C. Moon, and Mr E. C. Brown. Tho councillors of Tiniaru, and representatives of several local bodies, were also present. An excellent lunch "vns and after it had been properly disposed of, a short toast list was presented.

The usual loyal toast having been honoured, the Mayor of Timarii p'.oposed the health of "Our Gu^ets.' 5 fie said that on behalf of the Borough Council and citizens of Timaru ho was delighted to givo the visitors fr<Mn Christchurch a very cordial welcoma. It was unfortunate that the -weather was so unpropitious, but neither the wishes nor the prayers of the people of Timaru for a fine day had availed them. He went on to r-y that many of them looked upon Christchurch as the capital of the province—the mother town —and they were pcoiH of that capital. In some respects it w,rs rot only tho most beautiful city in the Dominion, but the most beautiful in tho Southern Hemisphere. Hagley Park ho considered one of the most beautiful he had seen, and the Christchurch Museum was ono of the be-vfc ho had h<Km into outside the Old Country. The architecture of Christchurch, particularly in its educational and ecclesiastical buildings, took one's memory bnck to the old towns in the Girl Land, nnd cave Christchurch the most "Homeland" appearance of any town he had scon. Cathedral sounre was the best square ho had seen in !Xew Zealand, hut, if ho might express his opinion without offence, its beauty and artistic appearance had been marred by the erection of tho tramway shelter. Ho recognised that utility must come befo r e beauty, but the shelter marred tho continuity and spaciousness of tho Square, (hear, near). If they could do anything to improve the artistic appearance of the Square by remodelling tho shelter, they should do it. The Godley statue was an excellent work of art. —it bad truth stamped on it. They had to thank John Robert Godlev for a very great connection with the sottlerrent of Canterbury, and his name should bo held in honoured remembrance. The statue should be taken down and re-erected in' some place where it would be appreciated ; it should not bo left looking into the rear of a shelter shed. Those things did offend his eyo when he went to Christchureh. They must all admire the big, far-seeing men who originally out the city of Ohristchurch, and they must realise that these men had left them a splendid heritage. (Applause*Hβ had noticed that the Mayor had brought forward a scheme to improve tho roads of the city. Hβ relt that the "Mayor was on the right track. Tarred macadam had been a great success in Timaru, and if it proved a success in Christchurch the Mayor would havH immortalised himself. Considerable id terest' had been token ir> the Chn'tchurch canal question in Timaru. Hβ was firmly of opinion that tho first essential for a scheme wa« a. united harbour district. Not only the people of Christchurch, but the whole of the harbour district suould enthusiastically join hands, and they would make a harbour or canal anywhere they wanted it, if they did not want to expand 1 in Lyttelton. They should remember that other norts were hustling, t> nd the .size of sTiips was increasing. They should make up their minds to go either for Lyttelton or a canal, and to do it thoroughly. The traffic now was nothing to what it would be in a few years, and steps should be taken to secure that traffic before other ports got it. Mr Craigie then referred in complimentary terms to the members of the Legislature who were present. Hβ said that the members of the Upper House were not showy men. but they were dead in earnest, and did the best they could for the country. Mr Russell he described as a very able man, who played his part in Parliament very well. The personnel, not the policy, of the Ministry might be changed shortly, and it was not impossible, but very probable, that the next time Mr Russell namo to Timaru he \vould come as the Hon. Mr Russell. Ho (the speaker) trusted that if Mr Russell got tho portfolio of Education, and Timaru made a request for a new school or college, Mr Russell would look upon Timaru as an expanding town, and give the request his very best consideration —not the sterotyped reply of " a favourable consideration." (Laughter.) Referring to the presence of representatives of the Christchurch newspapers, Mr Craigie said that tho oldtimo power of the pulpit had passed very largely into the hands of the Press. Tho power should bo in the hands of strong men, as they exercised an influence which was as great as that of any Cabinet Minister. The Press of tho Dominion had set a high standard, and ho hoped that its influence would always be towards uplifting New Zealand* making its people a great nation. (Applausej The toast was drunk with enthusiasm, and musical honours.

liie .Mayor of CnrJstchurch, who •was received with hearty applause, said that it was a very kindly and happy thought on the part of the Timaru Borough Council to ask the people of Christchurch to visit their 'town. This •was the first event of the kind that had occurred in New Zealand. Mr Craiffie- had been very kind indeed in his references to Christchurch, and what he had sa d and obviously meant was quite true. Christchurch was,, without exception, the most beautiful city of New Zealand—he did not say that because he was Mayor of Christchurch. The time was when ho thought -it an ordinary one-horse place, but after he had seen the cities of New Zealand and Australia, he began to realise what a lovely place at was. It was a fact

that tlio people who lived in Christchurch thought the least of it. Mr Dougall detailed a conversation which he listened to in Auckland, in which ■some tourists had unanimously expressed the opinion that Chmtchurch was the only town in New Zealand worth looking at. In response, to tho protests of tho Aucklandors present, they said that Auckland was a very nice place in its way—it was a miniature of Sydney—but for real dist.Rctiveness ;ukl beauty Christchurch stood alone. Ho agreed with tho Mayor to foaie extent about Cathedral souaro. The shelter was an undoubted blot, but on the other hand it was quite impossible to remove it from the Square. He. said advisedly ! that it was no credit to the people of Christchureh that tho statue of John j Robert Godloy should be left in itb present position. Many efforts had been mado to more it, but there seemed to bo an entire lack of unity as to what should be done. The statue, was therefore left hidden, and he might sny disgraced, behind the shelter. Referring j to his road scheme, Mr Dougjall \ said that road-making was being ! revolutionised. In England matters were, largely in tho experimental stage regarding roads of the future. The \ advent of tho motor-car had created a now era in road-makiug. It was impossible for motors to travel over tho! old macadam roads without bringing destruction to them. The English engineers conceived the idea of blending the metal with tar, and tho experiment had bce-n an unqualified success. In New Zealand they were just beginning. Christchureh had an engineer who had experimented with tarred metal, and he was now the one man in New Zea-. land who was an absolute expert in the use of tar on tho roads. Christchureh hoped to produce some roads that would evidence tho fact that tarred macadam was the one material, outside Neucbatel and wood-paving, that could be used for road construction. Mr Dougall went on to say that he Mould like to pay a high compliment to the people of Timaru- When one looked back only twenty years and remembered the dread which inspired shipmasters when they were told to call at Timaru, and when one remembered the wrecks ■which had occurred, ono could only marvel at the change when viewing tho present safe and commodious harbour. During tho last ten years Timaru had mado its name and its attractions known far and wide. Caroline Bay was the best known bay in New Zealand, and ho had seen pictures of it figuring in tho vestibules of Australian hotels, and those- pictures naturally mado tourists enquire about Timaru. Timaru had advertised its merits and charms, and one of tho results of its energy was that its population had been nearly doubled in the last ten years. Otjo man had been at tho helm'during that time guiding the ship to a safe harbour. (Applause.) Tho people of Timaru thought very highly indeed of Mr Craigie, and the people of Christchureh and New Zealand highly appreciated tho work ho had done. It was a pleasuro to him to know that there was more than ono town in New Zealand that had the unanimous support of its people. The people in the south should fight very hard indeed for greater progress than had been mado in tho past tew years. Tho people of Canterbury had come into a heritage made for them. They had been brought up with a silver spoon in their mouths, and had become indolent. He could not say that of Timaru, but other parts of Canterbury had shown somo indolence. They had attempted to solvo a good many political problems, but lmd allowed their province to drift without any great help from tho people to facilitate its progress. Land was cheap in tho north, and if people went far enough away from railways and other facilities, they could got very cheap land indeed. In the south most of the land was settled, but it was not settled as they should settle it. They should make up their minds that Canterbury was going to have a decided increase in population during the next ten years. Canterbury was practically standing still, and that was no credit to any people. Its population was barely keeping its natural increase. Tho time had arrived when they should band together and exercise, a united effort to push Canterbury into the position it occupied twenty years ago, as the wealthiest and most progressive province. Hβ believed that they could get back into that position, if they only exercised their wits, push, and energies. In conclusion, ne. again thanked the Mayor and Council of Timaru for their invitation, and suggested that Christchurch might ask the people of Timaru to return tho visit. The Hon. J. Barr responded on behalf of the Legislative Council. Mr G. W. Russell,- M.P., said that he had to express, on behalf of the membsrs of Parliament from North Canterbury, the:r_ great pleasure at receiving invitations to attend this function. Mr Craigie was not an old member of Parliament, but he had earned the affection and good esteem of h's brother members. He held an honoured place m the House, and if he remained in politics he would ultimately occupy a.n important position in the political life or the country. Hβ had already left h's mark on Timaru. Timaru was one

of the daughters of the mother City of Christchurch, and was now growing into maturity. It was fitting that ai> thie time they should remember the pioneers, not especially thoso who establ6iied the City of Christchurch, but who went away south and established the centres .which had since grown so well. The younger generation did not sufficiently- realise the magnificent work done by men like the Rhodes family and the Aclands, "who planted the outposts, of the province. In-the future it must be the pol'cy of the country to induce men to leave the centres and go to the back country. What ever inducements were necessary in the way of postal, railway, and telegraphic facilities must be given. They should not think that their country was over populated with 1,000,000 of people. In 50 years' t : me it would be 20,01/0,000. Ho agreed with the Mayor that Canterbury was not holding its own as it shonld. Ho believed that the fnturo prosperity of New Zealand would to made not so much out of wool nrd mutton, but out of the milch, co*. Canterbury had been backward in tl'is respect. While it had been using its pastures as fattening paddocks it had been neglecting the poor man's industry. He believed that unless Canterbury undertook the dairying industry in real earnest, it would continue to full back. Ho would like to see it scientifically ascertained what processes of manuring or irrigation would bo necessary to turn the millions of acres Letween Christchurch and Timaru from shoep farms into dairying pastuac3. Referring to tho political situation, Mr Riissell said ho believed that whatever chango took place, the country would realise that as Postmaster-General and Prime Minister, Sir Joseph Ward had dene a great work for New Zealand. Ho could not say upon whom world b« placed the responsibility for the political future of the country. Ho felt that the people of New Zealand desired that the party spirit should be less in evidence in the future than in the past, and that Parliament and people should unite to advance tlu» interests of the country. Sound Snancc. &ound administration, and a progressive spirit in connection with legislatiun might be obtained.whatever party *wis in power. He believed that on all sides in Parliament there was a sincere desire that there should be a united and prosperous country. Mr W. H. Triggs. editor of "Tho Press," said that he had a special reason to be grateful to_ the Mayor for his invitation, as this visit to Timaru had been the means of reviving some very pleasant memories. He could claim to b<, an old resident of Timaru, as somo twenty-seven years ago he succeeded

I the late Mr Edward IVakcfiold a& editor of tho "Timaru Herald/ , There were one oi" two tilings in connection with that circumstance that ■■ he looked upon • with &ome amount of satisfaction. Ono was the inovoment for starting the weekly ha-f-Loliday, thero being no Shop *Honrs Act in those days. Too movement, warmly advocated by tap '•Timaru Herald," was supported with groat energy and wholcheartedness by tbc citizens, and ho believed that _ Timrmi wns .-.bout tho first town in ISew Zealand to havo and keep its weekly half-ho.idny. ile had watched the progross of tho town with great interest, and had rejoiced in its prosperity. Thore was a slight feeling of uneasmwss i in some circles in Christcburch that Urn invitation to visit Timarn was part of a deep laid plot by Mr Cranio to extend Greater Timarn. (Laughter). • Christchurch was to become a suburb, and Lvttolton a sort of supplementary port, "in that case "The Press" might have to transfer to Thnaru, but if no ■wns to trust somo of his friends on the other side of poities there was soraeS thing not nearly so pleasant as that reserved for him in the futnre. (Laughter.) Referring to Mr Craicie's announcement that no mj tended to retire from the mayoralty. Mr Trigps suggested that as Timaru coultl cot a member of Parliament at any time, but could not always got a good Mayor, tho citizens should prevail on Mr Craigie to give up politics and devote his time to tho position ot Mayor. Then Tiniam might havo tho great advantage of bcinc represented ' m tho House by a lleform member. (Laiichter.) Even if that were not possible, on no account sliould Mr Craigie bo allowwl to carp; out his announced intention of retiring, as it was very largely owing to his energy and enterprise- that Timaru held its present position. (Applause.) Mr C. East, on behalf of the " Lytteluin Times," also responded. He said that Timaru needed no political instruction, and was apparently perfectly satisfied with Mr Craigio. He apologised for tho absence, of his editor, Mr S. Saunders. Tho toast of " The Mayor and Councillors of Timaru" was proposed by the Mnvor of Christchurch. Mr Dougall said that there would be a great blank when Mr Craigio loft the Mayoral chair, and his sucoessor would feel a considerable amount..of diffidence when taking tho position. Ho suggested that Mr Craigio should remain in office and initiate an electric tram service. In reply, Mr Craigie said ho wished to congratulate the Mayor ou his ] patriotic and statesmanlike, view of tho : future of Christchurch and Canterbury. . jHo urcdicted that the North Island woulcl go ahead for tho next ton or twenty years, but prosperity would , come buck to tho South Island, which was going to bo the manufacturing centre of the Dominion. It was also • going to bo the granary of New Zealand, and from tho climate point of > view it was a better place than tho North Island for growing manJiood and womanhood. filo did not agreethat tho dairying industry would bo tho future, salvation of Canterbury. Ho was convinced that thero was a great i future before Canterbury, and that its development would be hastened and assisted by the inauguration of the Lako Coleridge scheme. Tho harbour had been a groat factor in tho success of Timaru, and such was the unity of tho people about it that if £100,000 were wanted to-morrow they -would vote for it He mentioned that the . annual rateable value of Timaru had risen from £47,Q00 to £140,000 in ten years, and the capital value from £600,000 to £2,400,000. There were only .35,000 people .in tho harbour district, but they sent away between £2,250,000 and £2,500,000 worth of stuff produced in their area. t\c doubted whether any other part of tho Empire could better that record. A brief response was also mado by Councillor T. Hawkey, who expressed the hopo that on- tho:r nest visit' to Timaru the Christchurch Mayor and Councillors would witness tho initiation" of an electric tram system. ■ The toast of ."The, Ladies" waa honoured, and cheers wcro given for tho Mayor and Councillors of (Jhr.'stchurch. Tho visitors Tctnrned the compliment with interest, and thus a Tory pleasant function was brought to a close. The weather had cleared while tho luncheon., entertainment was taking place, and tho visitors were taken for a motor drive. They proceeded to tho Park, thence to Craigie avenue, and. the new basilica, and thenco to St. Mary's. Subsequently they were driven via North street round towards Waiiti, and then towards Waimataitai.--Afternoon tea was served at the residence of Mr and Mrs Craigie, and hearty cheers were given at the conclusion for the host and hostess and their daughters. The cars were left at Caroline Bay, and the visitors walked along the bay promenade to the railway eta- ' tion. Here the. final adieux were said, and the visit brought to a close. Tho train journey to Christchurch was uneventful, tho city being reached at. 0