THE MINISTERIAL VISIT

Lake Wakatip Mail, Issue 1106, 13 February 1879, Page 2

THE MINISTERIAL VISIT

Last weekwe mentioned thearrival in transitu of the Hon. J. Ballance( Colonial Treasurer and Minister oi Education), and the Hon. R. Stout —(Attorney-General and Minister for Lairds and Immigration), and also their departure for the Dunstan district, where they visited Clyde, Cromwell and, amongst other enjoyable places, Pembroke, at the foot of Lake Wanaka. Mr Joint, solicitor, Christchureh, also formed one of the party, who were taken down in a trap by Mr Craig one of the well-known firm of Cobb k Co, We understand they had a pleasant journey and shortly after their return on Monday evening about 6 o'clock as prearranged, Ministers were interviewed by some of the local bodies touching various requirements. Below is a brief account of these interviews and other proceedings in Commemoration of the visit.

Lake County Council. A deputation from above body, coasisting of Air J. Edgar (chairman), Dr Douglas, and Messrs T. Hicks, F. 11. Daniel and M. J. Malaghan waited upon Ministers in the County Council Chambers. They were introduced by Mr Manders, member for the district, and the first question discussed was THE KAWARAU BRIDGE. The Chairman explained the action of the Council, and the difficulties they had had to contend with, and he also referred to No. 2 site chosen and the plans of Mr M'Cormick which had been adopted, subject to the approval of Government. Mr Stout said that Mr M'Cormick was with Mr Bailance and himself that day when coming up from Cromwell. He thought that a more suitable site would be below the Arrow Blufl if the Council had the money, having heard that the annua! cost for maintenance by the Council of present road via the Bluff was very great. If the bridge were below the Bluff that cost would be saved. Dr Douglas thought the site adopted would save much money. Mr Malaghan considered that only part of the bad road would be avoided. Mr Stout said Mr M'Cormick was of opinion that a bndge over the lower site would cost three or four thousand pounds more, but it would save £IOOO a year lor maintenance of road on south side of the Kawarau River. It the bridge were erected at No. 2 site he had heard that a track along the hill at south end of bridge was always slipping.

In reply to a question, Mr Baliance did not think there would be the least difficulty in getting the money from Government if the Council wished to build the bridge at No. 2 site and could get it done for £BOOO. , . . Mr Stout thought if the bridge below the ISiutf and all the bridges between that and the Arrow Road could be constructed, and road formed, for £12,000, Government might be induced to <4ve £IO,OOO. Would the Council give the other £2OIO ? Dr Douglas had no doubt the Council would, I rovided the work could be done for the money. TheCounc'l ultimately agree 1 to | dopt Mr Stout's suggestion to consider the matter and write Government.

COUNTIES AND ELECTION ACTS. Dr. Douglas referred to the conflict between provisions of these Aets, and quoted section 44 of the Counties Act with respect to gold receivers preparing a list of persons not being aliens, to whom miner's rights were issued, for the purpose of placing them on the Roil. The fact of gold receivers (warden's) offices not hmm really in a riding also would apparently act as a bar to miners being put on the Roll.

Mr Stout-The Receiver has power to issue miner's rights in the riding. Dr Douglas referred to section 40 of the act, whereby a miner might be placed on the Roll by virtue of his miner's right and also as householders—although the Local Elections Act says his name shall not appear more than once "Mr Stout promised to look the matter up and write from Wellington. Dr Douglas referred to section 27 of the Local Election Act, re a person voting on account of being on the Roll or by showing his miner's right, lie also speaks of section 30 as to questions to be put to an enrolled elector and a person voting on a miner's right. Mr Stout—That only applies to Road Boards not in the Counties scheme where a Roll exists. The Doctor spoke of the decisionon the point given by Mr Stratford at one of the recent disputed elections for Arrow riding. Mr Stout did not think in a County election that a miner had any right to vote on his miner's right if he were not on the Roll for a riding. martin's bay railway survey.

Mr Hicks asked if Government intended to | fulfil their promise to survey a line to Martin's , P'l V Mr Stout—That is not in my dep irtment, but I will see Mr Macandrew. Government cannot get sufficient surveyors for even ordinary works, and in Canterbury alone the department is nearly 800,000 acres behind hand. If a road could be got to Milford Sound it would be much better than one to Martin's Bay. Mr Ballance had no doubt Mr Macandrew would put on surveyors as soon as they could be spared. STAMPED RECEIPTS. Mr Malaghan hoped Governmct would place County Councils in the same position as Municipal Councils, namely, allowing them to give receipts without duty stamps. Mr Ballance approved of the suggestion, but it would have to'be carried out by the Legislature. f A question was asked as to the position ot the Council in the event of their stocking the Lake with fish. Could the Lake be conserved, and would they have power to issue licenses and collect fees 1 Mr Stout consided the Acclimatisation Society was the only body in a position to collect fees. He suggested the formation of such a Society. BOUNDARIES OF COUNTIES. In reply to a question, M misters stated that Government had no instructions to alter the boundaries of any of the Counties as at present defined. MORE LAND. In regard to the opening up of land at the Head of the Lake, Mr Stout understood the Warden had sent in a long report to the Waste Lands Board which wouki deal with the matter. In reply to Mr Ballance, the deputation expressed views ftvorable to the agricultural lease svstem in reference to deferred payments. The'deputation thanked Ministers for their courtesy and withdrew. Hospital Committee. Messrs Daniel, Malaghan and Worthington (Secretary) waited upon Ministers, with regard to matters concerning above institution. Mr Worthington explained that the Board were greatly in want of a new building, and

would like to know if Covernme. twmd st.b. sidise their efforts in that direction by subsidising contributions by giving pound for pound raised. •Mr Bailance said the Arrow Council were moving in the same direction, and Government were willing to aid efforts of the kind. In reply to Mr Malaghan, Mr Bailance said Government were in favor of Cottage Hospitals where the community was large and prosperous enough to raise funds sufficient to support them. Mr Stout thought it was a pity they could not do with one Hospital for the whole County as it would entail aa extra burden on the people In reply to a question, Ministers stated that Government would have no objection to give half towards a new building, the cost of same being £ISOO. The deputation thanked Ministers.

The Municipal Council, Consisting of the Mayor, and Messrs Hotop, Boyne and Brettell, then waited upon the Ministers. The subjects brought up were as follows : J With regard to including the foreshore in thW borough—which had several times been asked by the Council—Ministers promised to attend to the matter. Re endowments, Mr Stout said the Council was well off in comparison with some Municipalities, and the 510 acres granted at the Head of the Lake was as much as could be expected. Re gaol, a new structure would soon be erected. With respect to removal of -the Warden's quarters to Queeustown, Mr Stout thought it unadvisuble at present.

A deputation, consisting of Mr H. Lawton and some other settlers, were introduced by Mr Malaghan. The object was to ask for a reduction of rent of the Wakatip pastoral runs, on the grounds of excessiveness and serious losses by recent floods and severe winter.

Mr Stout suggested that an extension of time.say a year's credit—might help thein to tide over their difficulties. Mr Lawton mentioned, however, that the rents were too high in comparison with the many disadvantages under which they labored on account of the uncertainty of the seasons and injury to stock in the higher country. The matter then dropped, Mr Stout promising to consider the request made. The Banquet,

Got up in honor of the Colonial Treasurer and Attorney-General, took place in Eichardt's Commercial Room about half past eigiit o'clock on Monday evening. Tables were laid for thirty, but more than that number had to be acenmmodated. Persons from different parts of the county were present and the various interests were well represented. The room which was well lighted and well decorated, was also comfortably filled—but not too full—and this, combined with tables tastefully laid out and amply supplied with delicacies as well as the substantial things of life, rendered the tout ensemble exceedingly pleasing and reflected great credit upon our much respected hostess-, Mrs Eichardt, in the absence, we regret to say> of her husband, who is only recovering from a severe illness. His Worship the Mayor (F. H.Daniel, Esq. occupied the chair, and J. Edgar, Esq., Chairman of Lake County, the vice.cliair. The Chairman was supported on his right by the Ho!i. R. Stout, J. M'Kerrow. Esq., assistant Surveyor-General, and H. Maudcrs, Esq., M.H.R. ; on his left were the Hon. J. his Honor Judge Harvey, -and Dr. _ Douglas. The assemblage having done full justice to the good thing before them, The Chairman said he hid been requested to apologise for Mr Turton, who was unavoidably deta'ne lin Invercargiil. The loyal toasts oi the the royal family, and of thd Governor, were then proposed and drunk in the usual orthodox style.

Mr Edgar said it wasan unfortunate circumstance that he felt he >-as quite unable to do justice to the toast which had been placed in 'his hands, namely that of the present Ministry, counted with the names of their guests, the Hon. Mr Ballance and Stout. He had not made himself so well acquainted with the contents of Handsard as he should perhaps have done, but he believed the present Government were favorable to the welfare of the country, and that their best energies had been dreced to that end. (Here here). The highest authorities stated that there was no better inclination of the social and commercial position of the people of a country than that of the ch iracter of their Parliament. If such was the fact, New Zealand should hold a high, position amongst the colonies. The continual changes of Government entailed extra work on those who took office, but, independent of this, he thought the position of a good member of the Cabinet was one more of honor than of ease. He believed the present Ministry was one which had the true interests of the country thoroughly at heart, and he trusted their tett of office would be long enough to allow themJP make the very desirable reform they had talcßi or promised to take in hand. (Hear here). The toast was drunk with enthusiasm. _ The Hon Mr Ballance thanked the previous speaker for the very high honor in coupling his name with the toast proposed. He could assure them that he felt the welfare of the colony was a subject of very great importance, but there was" one work of greaier importance than any other. During the past few days his colleague and himself had passed through their district which was not only unequalled for the grandeur of its scenery, but it also possessed many valuable industries, the most prominent of which were those springing from its agricultural and pastoral resources. But it possessed also a large quantity of waste land yet to be taken up. The great question of questions Parliament had to deal with was the placing of people upon the land-other-wise colonisation. A member of the House ot Representatives had lately said they had no rHit to acquire land from the natives in the North Island of the colony, but their duty was to govern the country. Still it was necessary to acquire that land in order to place people upon it But for its land and its land fund the South. Island would have been a debtor, and if the North Island is to prosper Government must obtain land from the natives in order to settle people upon it, either by deferred payments or the agricultural lease system. Turning to local matters the hon. gentleman said he had heard much about depression of times in Qeeenstown, and gave them an instance of the power ot natural resources in increasing the prosperity of a community. Wanganui, the town where he resided for many years, owed its prosperity to troops which were stationed there a3 a protection from the natives of the surrounding disturbed districts. In 1869 those troops were withdrawn by Government and so were from. £BO,OOO to £IOO,OOO a year, hitherto spent on them, withdrawn. The town almost collapsed for the moment and half its houses were empty. But they had a very large area of fine agricultural land around upon which people settled and cultivated, the place soon Vegan to revive and beeamo prosperous, and it was increasing

tjul prosperity which he believed had no termination. (Hear, hear). . The Hon. Mr Stout intended to say a very few words. He regretted very much that their Inwt Wa3 too unwell to be present—lie had often heard of Mr Eichardt's enterprise, and wou.d like to iave seen hiui there. He had only one or two remarks to make about ,i, and siiou.d say little about political matters, 11 .j »e.ie\\>d the best workman was one wh >und.-nit«M»d best how to g;» to work—that is to st. .had a tiio»rotita! knowledge of the subject hi' too; in h n i. This applied equally to political subjects, aim iu who haa the most intimate knowledge of the resources and requirements of a country was like'y t:> become the best politician. Places might be different, but our surroundings were much the same. These surroundings, however, had a great deal to do with the community, and therefore wheu in a beautlfnl alpine district like this, one asks what are the rising generation likely to become. When one jjoes to Switzerland he finds a sturdy, robust and enterprising race who owe much of their character to the nature and scenery of the country around them and the 'Ojtaßute in which they live. But he believed the regents of this district had a finer climate, a finer country, and grander scenery amidst its everlasting hills, which would do much to bring about that sturdy character possessed by denizens of the alps. As to its future also in this respect the Lakes district would be the Switzerland of Australia. The day was in >t far distant. •he thought, when the merchants of Dunedin Would have their country villas on the shoresofLake Wakatip. When theGore-Klbow •railway brought them in direct communication with Dunedin, tourists and excursionists would flock hither, instead of one good hotel a d.czen 'would be required. But although its scenery was grand, the Wakatip also possessed great natural resources, not the least that 'of the agriculturist which tends more to the settlement and permanent prosperity of a community than any other. There was one thug, the Government would not alienate the unalienated Crown lands as far as the people are concerned and inflict a grievous injury on the •country by disposing of it finally instead of for •purposes of bona ji<P settlement. The hon. ■speaker said he did not intend to make a political speech, and after a few more remarks and an •apology for the unavoidable absence of his friend Mr Joynt, he sat down auiidft applause.