THE MINISTERIAL TOUR.

Evening Star, Issue 7787, 7 December 1888, Page 2

THE MINISTERIAL TOUR.

[From Our Special Reporter.]

QUEENSTOWN, December 6.

On the way up to Queetistown the scenery, especially the Reniarkables—which have still | fl thick covering of snow—was much admired by the Ministerial party. Just upon four o'clock we reached the wharf, and the Queenstown Band struck up a lively air. The Mayor and several members of the Lake County Council were in waiting, and the party repaired to Eichardt's Hotel, where His Worship proposed the health of the Ministers present. The Premier, in reply, said : "Mr Mayor and gentlemen, I have to thank you for the cordial way in which you have received the toast, and to express our regret that our stay must necessarily be short. Perhaps you will allow me also to propose the health of the Mayor and prosperity to Queenstown." It was originally intended to make the journey up to the Head of the Lake, but this was abandoned, and most of the visitors whiled away an hour by playing at lawn tennis. Yesterday evening they challenged the Southland bowlers, and were defeated ; but the local paper, in totalling the result, said that the game ended in a tie, and that the play was the best seen on the green this season, which drew from a member of Parliament the remark that the Invercargillites must be wanting some local works attended to at the hands of the Government.

I may mention that the Minister of Public Works has never before visited the Lakes district, having only hitherto got as far as the Elbow ; while it is nearly ten years since the Premier made his only visit to this district, on which occasion he journeyed as far as Arrowtown.

ARROWTOWN, December 6,

Advantage was taken of the Premier's visit to Queenstown to bring before his notice several matters requiring the attention of Ministers, and Sir Harry was occupied most of the evening in listening to these requests. In the first place, a deputation from the Lake County Council interviewed him regarding an amendment of the Counties Act providing for all revenue for gold obtained within the county being credited to the Lake County account. It was explained that there was duty on 1,9530z obtained from the Criffel diggings and vicinity credited to Vincent County, though it was really obtained in Lake County. The gold had been sold to the banks in Vincent County, and, they having sent in returns, the amount was credited to them by the Treasury. The deputation suggested that a Commission, consisting of Mr Hickson, Resident Magistrate for the district, should be appointed to investigate the matter. The Premier promised to consider the request, remarking that the-proposal appeared to be a reasonable one; but he pointed out that the House was almost invariably opposed to retrospective legislation, The matter of the maintenance of the main road between Queenstown and Roaring Meg, a distance of thirty-seven miles, was next referred to, and it was stated that this portion of the road was main! used for the benefit of Vincent County, and that most of the cartage to Cromwell was done by it; and as the Lake County derived but little county rates, they urged that the Government should undertake the maintenance of the road. Both the Premier and Minister of Defence expressed the opinion that there would be great difficulty in getting the House to grant votes for works of that sort, and that if this request were acceded to the Government would bo deluged with scores of similar applications, and would land themselves in great financial troubles. Three deferred-payment settlers, residing at the Head of the Lake, next interviewed Sir H. A. Atkinson in favor of the reduction of the rents, and were 3ont away with a promise of favorable consideration.

Next the Mayor and some of the borough councillors urged that a private Act should be passed providing for the vesting of the Athenreum building in the Corporation, and the Premier promised to favorably consider their request on his return to Wellington. Finally, the Mayor and other residents of Queenstown pressed on tho Premier the desirability of forming a track from the present Greenstone track to Te Anau, in order that the Sutherland Fall could be reached by tourists from Queenstown and vice versa. Sir Harry promised to consider this matter also on his return to Wellington. Leaving Queenstown this morning, we reached Arrowtown before ten o'clock, and remained there for breakfast. The ride was a disagreeable one owing to the heavy dust clouds encountered, but the weather now promises fine. Pembroke will be reached to-night, but it is at present undecided whether to remain at Lake Wanaka over to-morrow or to push on to Cromwell. Most of the party are anxious to have a day at Wanaka, as originally intended, but Mr Fergus says he cannot promise to gratify their wishes till he reaches Pembroke and sees whether the party can push on to Cromwell via Hawea. Later, The Premier has agreed that an excursion shall be made up Lako Wanaka by steamer to-morrow forenoon, and to Hawea in the afternoon ; we will then push on for Cromwell. We reach Dunedin on Friday afternoon, and the same evening Sir H. A. Atkinson will speak at the meeting convened by the Exhibition Commissioners—probably at the Princess's Theatre. Saturday will be devoted to receiving deputations, and on Monday week Ministers go on to Oamaru, the residents of North Otago being still of opinion that the proper route for the Otago Central is through that district. Short stays will also be made at Timaru and Christchurch, and Ministers expect to reach Wellington on Christmas Eve.

The coaching arrangements for the rest of tho tour are : To-morrow, by steamer up Lake Wanaka till noon, and lunch at Pembroke ; in the afternoon a drive to Hawea and back. Sunday, from Wanaka to Cromwell. Monday, from Cromwell to Blacks. Tuesday, to N&seby via St. Bathans, whore Mr Scobie Mackenzie will bo picked up, On Wednesday, through the Maniototo Plains to Kyeburn. Thursday, from Kyeburn to Middlemarch. Friday, from Middlemarch to Deep Stream; thence by train along the Otago Central line, reaching Dunedin about three in tho afternoon.