THE PRIME MISTER.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLII, Issue 115, 16 May 1908, Page 5

THE PRIME MISTER.

VISIT TO KAIKOURA

THE MAIN TRUNK RAILWAY.

TOUR THOROUGH MARLBOROUGH

PROMISED

[prom our correspondent.]

KAIKOURA, May 16

Delightful weather prevailed for the Prime Minister's visit to Kaikoura yesterday, and the , residents made high holiday. Sir Joseph's party, which happily included Lady Ward^ together with a number of other visitors, including Mr G. Laurenson, M.P., were lionised, and all were much impressed with the scenic attractions and pastoral wealth of Kaikoura. The chief public business brought before Sir Joseph Ward was the advocacy of the speedy completion of the Main Trunk Railway;; and the early bridging of the Waiai*jßiver. at Parnassus. He was addressed in support by representatives of* the Kaikoura and "Cheviot Leagues^ and Messrs Rutherford and Laurenson, M.P.s Sir Joseph promised that a fair sum would be placed on the next Estimates for the railway, with .moare speedy progress, . after the • North U Island Trunk was finished, i He made a further promise to have the Waiau bridged within two years, if possible. The Prime Minister stated that he had decided to make the overland journey from Picton to Christchurch (or vice versa) at an early date, probably before the session. He delivered a fine speech to a I crowded attendance in the evening, and left by the Tutanekai for Wellington at midnight. '' -~-.'■'