ARRIVAL OF MAJOR ATKINSON AND MR. MITCHELSON.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXI, Issue 7020, 17 May 1884, Page 5

ARRIVAL OF MAJOR ATKINSON AND MR. MITCHELSON.

The Premier (Major Atfeinson), and the Minister for Public Works (Mr. Mitchelson), arrived yeßterday from Wellington by the Government steamer Hinemoa. The Hinemoa left Wellington at twelve o'clock on Tuesday night, and steamed north in the face of a heavy gale. The gale became so violent, and the sea was so rough off Taranaki, that the Hinemoa was fifteen hours rounding Cape Egmont, the wind of course being right in their teeth. Owing to the heavy rain, the people on the shore could not see the vessel, hence the reason she was not telegraphed from New Plymouth. The Hinemoa laboured on until near Kawhia, when the weather moderated somewhat. It was too dark to run into Kawhia for shelter. She reached the Manuksu very early yesterday morning, but had to lie off till between ten and eleven o'clock in the forenoon, and arrived at Onehunga shortly before one p.m., after a passage of sixty hours. Both Major Atkinson and Mr. Mitchelson suffered Very much through the rough passage. Captain Fairchild said the gale off Taranaki was one of the heaviest he has ever experienced on that coast.

The stay of Ministers in Auckland will only extend to Tuesday morning next, being obliged to return to Wellington to prepare business for the ensuing session. We believe that a public meeting will be held at the Theatre Royal on Monday evening next, when Major Atkinson and Mr. Mitobelson will deliveraddresses. We have no doubt there will be a large gathering on the occasion. At the present time, on the eve of • the session, addresses from Major Atkinson and ' Mr. Mitchelson will be of the utmost importance. We hope that, as has previously been done, the dresa oircle will be reserved for ladies and ladies accompanied by gentlemen. Owing to the Premier having lost a day or two by the lengthy passage of the Hinemoa, he will be unable, as he had hoped to do, to have a friendly conference with the representatives of the Friendly Societies on his National Insurance scheme, and to address them on matters pertaining to it. Major Atkinson is still as strongly wedded as ever to his proposed scheme, and as the great social questions underlying it are bonnd to bring it to the front for discussion and consideration, the members of the Friendly Societies will yet, on another occasion, have the opportunity of hearing Major Atkinson's views on the important topic of National Insurance.

The Premier is likely to have a busy time of it with deputationists during his brief stay in Auckland. Arrangements are being m»de with the Premier and Minister for Public Works to receive deputations, as follow :—From the Chamber of Commerce, Harbour Board, and City Council, re proposed railway bridge; from the. Mayor and Town Clerk, re the £SOO voted for diversion of main sewer; from the Mayor (as Chairman of the Hospital Committee), re Stanley-strest drain ; from the Agricultural and Pastoral Association, re abolition of tolls at Newmarket and Panmure Bridge ; and from Mr. F. Lawry, re the Bird Grove Bridge on the Epsom-road.