SIR J. G. WARD AT ELTHAM.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLVIII, Issue 8226, 26 May 1905, Page 4

SIR J. G. WARD AT ELTHAM.

Sir Joseph Ward arrived in Eltham by special train shortly after 11.30 a.m. on Thursday. Messrs Symes, Jennings, and Lawry, M.H.R.'s. accompanied Sir Joseph. The Mayor (Mr G. W. Tayler) and several' councillors, Hon. W. Carncross and other ; prominent townsmen and settlers were on the platform when the train came in. Cabs were in waiting, and the whole party were driven to the Coronation Hotel, where the following deputations were heard : — Mr Symes, M.H.R., introduced the deputations, first on the list being Messrs Crump and Dive, representing the requirements of the borough in connection with the courthouse. Mr Crump spoke first, and repeated the oft-told tale in connection with this subject, emphasising the fact that it was not an ordinary recmirement, but a pressing need. Mr Dive endorsed all that Mr Crump C had said, and recommended the Minister to go and have a look at the present building. Sir J. G. Ward said he would be only too pleased to go and see the place, lie had no doubt that all the statements put before him would be borne out. There | wero many applications of tho same nature before the Government, but his sympathies were with the deputation, and n« w«uld throw in his weignt to bring a change about. Mr Parlane, representing the Bacon Co., mad© representations re railway freight ' on bacon as compared with freight on live pigs, also with regard to rates charged on lard as compared with buttor. Trucking accommodation for produce also received Mr Par-lane's attention. Mr Boddie added that trucking applied not only to Sir Joseph said that the adjustment of railway rates was a very troublesome matter. He had every sympathy with tho deputation, but he could not see that any part of the colony had the advantage of another in this respect. It seemed to him that it was a case of who could draw the largest business. He would look into the matter, but all he could promise would be that any reduction would bo the same all over. He would look into the trucking* arrangements, and if further loading races are required they will be put there. , Mr G. W. Taylor (Mayor) brought for1 ward the question of telephone comuiuni- ' cation from Eltham to Omona via Manga- ■ mingi, also the keeping of the local office open till 8 p.m. j The Minister, in reply, stated that with ! regard to keeping the telephone office open I till 8 o'clock, that was entirely in their I own hands. It could not be done unless : there were sufficient subscribers to pay the cost of same. Town and country tele1 phones ought to be separated. The counj try ought to be a national concern. He j would have the line reported upon, and if at all possible they could depend upon his support. Mr Taylor pointed out the necessity Tor an extra crane, also an extra, porter at the railway station. Sir Joseph interrupted pleasantly to Inform Mr Taylor that the crane had been { authorised, also the porter. 1 The claims of tho Eltham-Onunake rail- .! way wero upheld by Mr T. 0. Hodgson. • He stated that the railway would imdoubtcdly benefit .the farmers more than the town. The various items of produce that would l>e available were ably set forth. Mr Parlane followed with a few terse remarks bearing on the subject, suggesting finally that if the Government could not see their way to take on the work they would allow tlie settlers to do so. Mr Boddie also contributed to tho request, emphasising, as the others had done, that it was more of a farmers' need and request than a townsman's. Sir Joseph said he could only give tho same answer as he had given to Stratford, that tho Ministry could not say anything definite till such a time as the various surveys were completed. One thing : he had a'very deckled opinion upon, and that was that there was no likelihood of a privately owned railway being sanctioned by Parliament.Mr Hodgson explained tliab thov did not mean to govern the railway; simply ' to raise the money to build it. Sir Joseph replied that he was pleased to hear the explanation, but ho could \ assure them that if tho railway was de1 cided upon the raising of the money would j be no difficulty. Mr Boddie urged the claim of the country settlers to the right of winter eycuv- ' sions, as passed by the recent Provincial Conference of the Farmers' Union. Mr Boddie pointed out that no concession was hcing asked, for it was' simply a matter of fjood business. Tho Minister went into the subject vrry ' fully, explaining that ho had every sympathy with the request, and it would have j been granted long ago if it had been praui licablo. If more excursion trains were ! granted the ordinary faro would have to be raised. After luncheon »Sir Joseph formally opened the new post olfice. A consider- . able number of burgesses assembled to sco and hear what was lo be seen and heard. Sir Joseph addressed the burgesses in a. houmorous manner, at the same time I briefly reviewing the history of llic El- ; lham post office. I The memorial to the lato Thomas iJ. Kuld, driver of the Elthain- < Opunake coach, who died in execu1 tion of Ms duty, erected in the Taumata Park Domain, where the new entrance io the grounds will be, was then unveiled by the Minister. Tho new grandstand next claimed tho attention of the Ministerial party. Mr ! C. A. Wilkinson went into facts and figures in connection with same, after which Sir Joseph, in a short and appro1 prhito speech, declared the stand duly I opened for the use of the public. Once more that wonderful building thai does duly for a courthouse wa-s exhibited.