PRIME MINISTER'S TOUR.

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 17408, 20 March 1922, Page 6

PRIME MINISTER'S TOUR.

VISIT TO SOUTH CANTERBURY.

SPLENDID RECEPTIONS EVERYWHERE.

The Prime Minister's tour of South Canterbury ended on Saturday, when Mr Massey travelled from the Hermitage, Mount Cook, and joined the north-bound express at Tcmuka, and later boarded the ferry steamer for Wellington. The favourable w®ather conditions which marked the opening of the tour also characterised its conclusion. Atmospheric conditions were somewhat threatening about ten o'clock on Saturday morning, when the Prime Minister lett the Hermitage; a heavy mist shrouded Mount Cook from base to summit, but it lifted momontarily. just before the party left, Mid for two or three seconds the peak of Aorangi stood but clear and distinct, its cap ot snow glistening in the morning sun. Just' beiore Jie retired «n Friday night, Mi Massey got sueh another glimpse of tile nionurch ol NewZealand mountains. The run by motor from the Hermitage to Pukaln, on to Tekapo (where the party lunched), and thence to Fairlie, was accomplished without incident. A stiff nor'wester was blowing on the Mackenzie Plainß, but as Mr Massey was in a covered-in car he escaped the dust and discomfort. Shortly after leaving Fairlie a puncture held up the Prime Minister's car, but on'y for a few minutes, for Mi 11. L. Wigley (who drove the Prime Minister's car since it left Ashburton) and Mr "Chalie" Elms, one of the Mount Cook Motor Company's drivers, had the punctured tvre unshipped and a sound one in its place in the proverbial "two ticks."

At Pleasant Point At the post office at Pleasant Point a brief stay was made. Hor« a large gathering, led by Mr G. Saunders, chairman of the Town Board, cave Mr Massey a rousing welcome, A though each and everyone who had anything to bring before tho Prime Minister was in-vited by. Mr Saunders to do so, no advantage was , taken of _,the opportunity—an indication, evidently, that the people of Pleasant Point have no outstanding or urgent grievances. Mr Massey spoke brielly in reply to the welcome accorded him, a'ld recalled that it was nine years since his previous visit to Pleasant Paint. In a passing reference to the Tekapo hydroelectric power scheme, Mr Massey said that when .the South Canterbury Power Board was established he believed that it would do good work, and would be able to produce .cheap power for the district.

Hearty cheora for Sir Massey brought the ten minutes stay to a close.

Tarauka's Welcome, Temuka was reached about 4.20 p.m. and; a large gathering of the townspeople welcomed Mr Massey, who was the gitest at afternoon tea of the Mayor j (Mr, T .Gunnion), the members of tko. Borough Council, tnd representative citizens, The toast of Mr M&ssey'a, health, proposed by the Mayo/,, was heartily honoured- _ 1 Sir Massey, in responding, expressed j hia thanks for the heartiness of tl>e welcome and said that'ha was glad to see that Mr Gunnion was still the first citizen of Temuka. Possibly by the next time he (Mr Massey) visited Temuka he vWld find Mr Gunnion on his sido. (Laughter and applause). At Teliapo, the previous day, he had been glad to notice that Mr Gunnion was "hale and hearty, gay and good-natur-ed.'' As regards the pow,er scheme he (Mr Maßsey) "appreciated What had been done by the people- of (South Canterbury iradialso the wer-thwy hid; they would take it over on their own accpunt and make it an accomplished fact. When, citizens of any district proposed to do what th© South Candorbury people proposed, they should be given an opportunity. (Hear, hear.) fie did not know what would be decided in Wellington, hut jie had consulted Mr L. Birts, chief eleotrical engineer,jwho had expressed himself pleased'and satisfied with tho outlook. Tfere was no doubt' that they had a magnificent source of supply and he hoped that' it would be l made use of as the Creator intended. , , v ; The toast of Mr Gunruon'a health proposed by Mr Massey, was heartily honoured, i. "The Parliament of New Zealand" was respondod to by. Mr T. D. Burnett, M P., and Mr J. Bitchener, M.P. : After the function Mr Massey from the running board of a motor car addressed the • crowd and -expressed 1 tfygret that his stay in Temuia was necessarily short, but hoped to : visit it Boon' when he was fn-the South Island i° &~" tend the Dunedin Winter Shdw. Mr Massey said that he desired to meet as manv of the people of the Dominion .as possible, but' if fie accepted the invitation of the people 6f Samoa to paytbem a visit Ijefore tit ;:t session, he would be absent; from'-.h© .Ooininidn for a mtfothv '('lks ti 'were givan for Mr Massey aa he i-.-it for the railway station. On tta way: hj» stopped, to look at th* dangerous railiv../ .crossing over whicn going to an-i from the strcioTi - v' pass. Tfc<> Borough Q6vm"i,- .•» «&£»>:> that tlici dangeroUs character if' tw .'crtieiing .should be, reducod. .. Hfioie Christchurcn ♦«> »«» the ferry steamer Mr Massey; remarked regarding the tnur: "I hasve had a apfendid reception from every point of view £>nd the journey was well worth making.". ;; ' '