THE PREMIER'S VISIT TO TEL NORTH.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXII, Issue 7304, 16 April 1885, Page 6

THE PREMIER'S VISIT TO TEL NORTH.

Our Paparoa correspondent writes 1—" Ob the occasion of the Premier's visit to thi Northern Wairoa, Messrs. Tronnson and CM Councillor and ex-Councillor for this riding, went to interview him, together with Mr. Matthews, County Chairman, at Dargaville, on matters relative to the advancement and prosperity of these districts, viz., the North Auckland .Railway, the prospects re coal mining in the Kaipara, the Kaipara prospects generally, dual forms of local government &c. In reference to the railway the Premier would not favour the hope of soon constructing the North Auckland line, considering that with an improved road system, we are well off in the water communication we possess.' Speaking of coal, he thought the discovery of a good coal suitable for ' B{seaming purposes would be a boon to the Kaipara, and would probably induce the Union Company's steamers to enter these waters, for he con. sidered the harbour was as fine as any in New Zealand; but it needed a Harbour Board,' with a steam tug at its disposal to tow all sailing vessels in and out of the Heads. : With these and other appointments, why should not the Kaipara harbour be much mora frequented than at present, and become a regular port of call? The visits of 'the Union Company's boats would "open amarket toua in the South for our fruit, superior if what Auckland is or can be. .* In reference U the double form of local government whicl so many distriots possess, the Premier hopes to - see the itoad Boards die » natural death ere long. They are already limited to a bare existence they hate no external assistance in the Bhapa of Government subsidies -Which the. Councils .enjoy, and rather than divide counties he would merge two' into ond, so as to get as fjff ,as possible from petty govern* ments, which excite petty jealousies, to« gather - with other evils arising :• from the system of Road Boards. Instead of thi Premier returning to Auckland by the ordi. nary steamer to Helensville, the Kina was chartered in order that he might visit several places of interest, as the Aratapu Saw Mills, Mr. Masefield'a canning establishment at Batley, the townships of Pihi and Port Albert. By this means he has become some*' what acquainted with our waterways, and has promised that if he continues in office another year he will spend a few days in judging for himself the nature of the inferior land communication between these districts,"