SIR J. G. WARD AND PARTY AT ARROWTOWN.

Lake County Press, Issue 1064, 14 May 1903, Page 4

SIR J. G. WARD AND PARTY AT ARROWTOWN.

Sir Joseph Ward and party (17 in all) arrived in Arrowtown, en route for Clyde, about 10 a.m. yesterday morning. They spent about an hour here, and during part of that time Sir Joseph was waited on by a deputation in the Athene urn Hall. The Mayor presented a petition to Sir Joseph, as Postmaster-General, praying that Arrowtown would be granted a mail coach service between Arrowtown and Queenstown of a Saturday, and a delivery of mails for a quarter of an hour after the arrival of the coach. The Mayor pointed out that at present tho mails did not arrive in Arrowtown until 10 o'clock on Monday morning, consequently reply letters could, not roach Dunedin until Wednesday night for delivery on Thursday morning—almost a week. If the request was acceded to, letters could be sent privately to Queenstown on a Sunday, and would reach Dunedin on a Monday night. Such a concession would be a boon to the residents of Arrowtown and district generally. Sir Joseph, in reply, said ho did not see why the request should not be granted, provided the extra day coach service did not cost too much. He would look into the present contract and see what could bo done. The Mayor also brought up the matter of the appointment of a local coroner. The only coroner in the district at present resided in Queenstown He was a chemist, and in some cases of suicide the poison was bought from him. It would bo seen, thercforo, (hit the position was a delicate one. Then, again, there was the cost of travelling between Queenstswn and Arrowtown for an inquest. The speaker thought there was sutlicient intelligence in Arrowtown for the selection of a suitable coroner. Sir Joseph said he would bring the matter before the Minister of Justice. He agreed with the Mayor that it would be a.saving in expense to have a local coroner. The Mayor also brought under the notice of the Minister the desirability of making Arrowtown attractive to tourists visiting the district, and specially pointed that a small track could be made up Hay's hill at little expense. From this point a splendid view of the whole district could be obtainod. Sir Joseph said it was impossible to construct roads and tracks throughout the colony to [daces where views could bo obtained from. Tho Department was anxious to make the colony attractive as a whole, but it must be remembered that the people benefitting by the tourist traffic should do what they could to point out the different places of intorest to tourists. They had spent a considerable amount at Queenstown in beautifying tho surroundings, but that was the landing place of the tourists. He pointed out there hid been 2,200 more tourists to the district this year than had ever been previously. He would see that the Department's officer visited Arrowtown so that places of interest could bo pointed out to him. This concluded the business of the deputation and the Mayor thanked Sir Joseph for his courteous replies. He also took tho opportunity of thanking the Minister, on behalf of the residents of the district, for taking over the Lake

Wakatipu Shipping Coy's business. They had alroady found the benefits in the reduction of fares and freights. He hoped the Minister would see his way to have excursions from the district to the larger centres. Many of tho children of the district had never seen a ship or a train. Sir Joseph said he was glad to hear the action of the Gorernmerit in taking over the steamboats was appreciated by the Arrow people. Years ago he had come to the conclusion that cheaper fares and freights were essential for the welfare of this important district, and he felt sure the reductions made would be of material benefit to the residents. He was not, however, casting any reflection on the Shipping Company, when he said this. He further added that he was more than phased with the results since the Government had taken charge of the service. He would see that there were excursions from tho district to the laiger centres, and that tho children would have the opportunity of seeing both trains and ships. The deputation then withdrew. Before leaving Arrowtown the party visited the local bank and saw some very line samples of gold.