THE PREMIER'S "JUBILEE."

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLVIII, Issue 8099, 30 September 1904, Page 2

THE PREMIER'S "JUBILEE."

THE CELEBRATIONS AT HOKITJKA.

A UNIQUE EVENT.

[tUMBB ASSOCIATION] HOKIITKA, September 23. v.f T^ mgs « ?. with the gfl. J *t fe 6 ?f M r replantation 01 the Westland constituency in Parliament commenced this afternoon, when fu "y four thousand persons from M parts of "The Coast" were present. The weather was overcast, and a few slight showers fell. There was a procession of several volunteer and cadet corps, beaded by bands, from the Town Hall to Cata square, where a mass meeting of electors and * presentation of plate took place. The Mayor of Hokittka occupied th« chair, and m making the presentation referred to the many eminent services rendered by Air Seddon to Westland, the colony, and the Empire. The presentation consisted of a silver tea. service, suitably engraved. Mr Seddon, in a lengthy, speech, returned thanks. He read a portion of his first political speech, given twenty-fivo years ago, to prove that the ideas he then formed were now taking practical ' SEPl'ih As FT 1 "! J? c had "^reduced 550 bills, out of whibh 180 had become law. After dealing with a number of important policy measures, he referred to the frequent criticism of his favoring the ; West Coast to other parts. He found that > the amount of gold duty paid in the nast still entitled the West Coast to hJF* million. He also alluded to the Tojsaoco. Trust and the Millers' Association, stating that steps must be taken U> counteract their influence. The utmost enthusiasm prevailed. But>seduently the Premier w*» entertained at, a T>anquet and social. At the banquet he emphatically contradicted the rumor of an alleged dissension in the Cabinet, and of tke Government's intention to run another candidate against Mr Guinness, the member for Grey. The speech principally dealt with local matters, emphasising the necessity for better local government. The town was profusely decorated. The caddts and 1 children were suitably entertained by the Reception Committee. ' To-morrow the Premier visits th« principal farming districts on the Coast, and. attends a ploughing match there.