Visit of the Hon. Mr Rhodse.

Mt Benger Mail, 8 April 1914, Page 4

Visit of the Hon. Mr Rhodse.

Tin Hon. R. Heaton Rhodes, Post-master-General, arrived in Lawrence by the 8 p.m. train on Wednesday en route for Roxburgh, where he was to ollicially open the new post otlice on tho following day. The Hon. gentle- | man was accompanied by Mr R. Scott, M.P. for Otago Central. On arrival he was met at the railway station by kis Worship the Mayor (Mr James Robertson), several of the C'ouncilcillors, and a number oi the leading residents, and was accorded an informal but hearty reception. After reaching his hotel, he received deputations with reference to the removal of tho Post Olliee to a more central position in the town, and the acquirement of land between Lawrence and Beaumont for closer settlement. Moth deputation were introduced by Mr Scott. A MORE CENTRAL POST Oi'EICE. Mr P. Winn, after extending a hearty welcome to the Minister, proceeded t« speak with regard to the post otlice. He said that at the present lime it was in an out-of-the-way portion, and seeing that the Govei'nI ment was about to spend a considerable sum ot money in repairing it they thought it a suitable opportunity to bring under the Minister's notice the advisability of removing the olliee to a more suitable site. The building was an old one, and was absolutely done, and the situation was extremely inconvenient. Mr Winmill said he did not think the building was worth renewing. The Minister, in replying, said that before he could give any consideration to this request of the deputation tor the removal ot the po.-t olliee he would like to know whether they were nil of one mind. He received an answer in the ailirmative. Mr Rhodes : l o morrow shall 1 be met with a counter-deputation ? Members : .No fear oi that. Mr Rhodes, continuing, said that in nine cases out of ten, when an application was made to shift a post otlice, there was trouble. He had listened to what the deputation hud had to say, »nd he would look at the post otlice ■ext day and form his own conclusion. As regarded the renovations, he did not think it would !e wise to stop tliem, even it it was decided to change the site. It would Ik; some time before a new building would be built upon the new site. I hero was tt long li*i of promises, and they would ha\e to be taken in turn, though urgent on s might have to be taken out of their turn. He could not go further than to say that he >vould inspect the place next day a nd give the request consideration. CLOSER SETTLEMENT. Mr Winn aUo introduced the subject <->f ac. jiiiring land in the district for closer settlement, and said that they had u Land for Settlement League in Lawrence. it was iound that there was a considerable area ot countr\ between Lawrence an 1 Beaumont suitable lor closer settlement, and there was u demand for land of the description. The .Minister : Is it Crown hind ! Mr Uian : A lot ui it is Crown land, but some' ot ii is leasehold. Continuing, he said that a lot of the leases were falling due, and that was why th»y had taken the step they had. They were asking the Government to step in and try to secure some freehold laud adjoining the Crown ' The .Minister : Artlands V Mr Wi. ■ C< . _ ailing . c.'n Law, ice ■ . . ,ii .!>[ ■ „aiU materially assist _.i\\ay, and it naturally i01,,0U ~oU that it would assist tho town

and district generally. -Mr T. Pilling taid that the league bad been culled into being in the lirst instance with the object of getting the land connected w th Bellamy station thrown open for closer settlement. It comprised abont 3000 acres of freehold and about 38,1R>0 i acres o. Crown lands, embracing seven runs, four oi which were set aside some years ago at small gracing runs. With regard to the freehold, in passing along next day and passing Evans Plat, the land on the Minister's left, where the homestead stood, comprised close on G3OO acres, and some of t h u t was very suitable for cutting up. It was well loaded; in fact, il was surrounded by roads. Opposite there Mere 1500 acres, which was the frontage oi these runs. I. the Gover nnent lesumed the land there would be grazing runs there for probably a dozen settlers. As far as the freehold was concerned it was contiguods to 'ho station, and was lirst-class land. Ihat opposite was not quite so good, but it was very suitable for wintering, lie hoped the hon. gentleman would induce the Minister of Lands to acquire this property. The Minister, in reply, said he could make the deputation n ( > promise. He ■could onlv tell them that he would ask Mr ,\fas-ey to get a report on the scheme for acquiring the freehold and cutting it up with tho le&sehol 1. Mr Massey looked with favour upon set tlement, and his object was to place as many settlers as possible on the land. Another reason why the request should be favourably considered was that the land was on the line o; the railway, and it was the policy of the Government to acquire land before a railway was constructed, w a s all he could tell them. He would take notice c ,f the land in passing alqng next day. THE SUITER.

'l'lie deputations disposed oi an adjournment was made to the diningroom of Mr Glass s liotel, where tli. Hon. Mr .Rhodes and party were entertained at supper . 'His Worship the Mayor (Mr Robertson) presided, and there was a very representative gathering of residents, the accommodation of the room being taxed to it utmost capacity. When the wants of the inner man had been appeased, a short toast-list, interpersed with musical items, was entered upon. Ihe principal toasts were " The Parliament of New Zealand " (proposed by Mr A. Fraser, and responded to bv the Hon. Mr Rhodes and Mr R. Scott, M.P.). "Our Guest" (proposed b> the Chairman), and "Other Visitors" (proposed by Mr T. Pilling, and responded to by Messrs W. Crow (the Minister's Private Secretary), J. Crow (Postal Department'/, Mr Couston (engineer, Taieri County Council), and Mr Jackson (Dresden Piano 60.). Songs were contributed by Messrs Robertshaw aud R. C. Moore, and Mr

A. Mellor favoured with a recitation. This part of the proceedings, whic was of a very enjoyable nature, concluded shoftly after 10 p.m., by the singing of a verse of the National Anthem.

In the course of his remarks, in replying to the toast " The Parliament of New Zealand," the Hon. Mr Rhodes paid a tribute to the work of his colleague, tho lion. James Allen. Mr Russell, who was touring the counery, in the interests of the Opposition had, he said, described Mr Allen as a weak •Minister, but he did not think those present, who knew Mr Allen so intimately would subscribe to that opinion. As a matter of fact, the very opposite was tho case, Mr Allen being noted for his firmness, his industry, and his scrupulous fairness. In short, he set a very high ideal to all members of Parliament. Neodfess to say, this opinion was enthusiastically enendorsed by all present.—Tuapeka Times.