THE PREMIER AT HUNTLY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XL, Issue 12272, 16 May 1903, Page 5

THE PREMIER AT HUNTLY.

A BRIDGE- WANTED.

GOING TOO FAST.

EXPENDITURE TO BE REDUCED

,; fat TELEGRAPH.—OWN REPORTER.] / ■ Huntly, Friday/

' The Premier and suite left Auckland /es- ! terday morning by the ten o'clock egress for Huntly. The Hon. E. Mitelelson (Mayor of Auckland) was among /those vho assembled at the station to sfa Mr. ' Seddqn off. , ''•; At Huntly, where a. prolonged s/ay was made, the party were met by Messrs. J. P. Bailey (chairman of. the Road Board) »Dd W. Leather (president of the Miners' Union). A hearty welcome was accorded Itlr. Seddon, cheers being give* by the crowd that had foregathered. Mr. Seddon replied in suitable terms. Shortly after his arrival the Premier accepted an invitation from Mr. Ralph to inspect some new machinery at the Taupiri mine, and expressed himself much pleased with what came, under his notice. The parly then adjourned to the hotel, and the short interval between arriving and the sound of the dinner gong was devoted to listening to the requests of 4 deputation, consisting of Messrs. Bailey and Leather, from the residents of the district. Mr. Bailey called the attention of Mr. Seddon to a promise made before his departure to England, relative to the construction of a bridge across the river. They asked that a sum should be placed on the Estimates, in order that that promise could be carried out. Huntly could not go ahead without the bridge. Although between the township and the coast was one mass of coal, the Auckland market would require all the coal. If a small amount were placed on the coal to help pay tile interest, he thought, there would be no objection. Mr. Leather also spoke in support of the proposal. Mr. Seddon remembered his promise, and said a survey and estimate of the cost ought to have been made. £s d came into the case very largely. There would be a considerable reduction in the public works expenditure this year. The Public Works Estimates last year were £2,300,000 which was far too much for a country with a population of only 800,000. They were going a bit too fast, and works undertaken must be of an urgent character. Inquiry alone could determine whether the work in question came under this category. That inquiry should be made. The question of & royalty on the coal to meet the interest charges would require careful consideration. The Auckland people would probably demur to being compelled to pay interest on a bridge at Waikato. However, the suggestion showed how urgently a bridge was wanted. The site should be fixed, and a survey made.

The deputation also asked for a grant of £100 for one place, and of £200 "for another, for the purpose of read construction. A still further suggestion was that a grant should be made towards the erection of a courthouse at Huntly. Mr. Seddon promised that these matters should receive attention.

Luncheon followed, but occupied half-an-hour only, the Premier having important business to transact with Mahuta at Waahi.

[BT TELEGBAPH.—OWN CORRESPONDENTS.] Paeroa, Friday. The Premier is expected to arrive here at two o'clock to-morrow, and will immediately proceed to Primrose Hill, for the purpose of unveiling the Bradford memorial. He is to be banqueted on Saturday night, and leaves here for Waihi on Sunday,

"Waihi, Friday. The Mayor has received a telegram'from the Premier, stating that be will be in Waihi on Sunday morning, and stay till Monday morning, and would be pleased to meet deputations. Great preparations are being made for the Waihi Hospital opening ceremony on Sunday.

Our Hamilton correspondent writes: — The Mayor has received a telegram from the Premier, stating that he will receive as many deputations as time will permit on Thursday morning. Deputations are arranged from the Hamilton Borough Council in reference to the Hamilton traffic bridge, courthouse, telephone facilities. Prom the Waikato Farmers' Club: Mutual fire insurance, endowment for Agricultural College, amendment to Manures Adulteration Act. From Waikato A. and P. Association: Show-grounds set aside for volunteer encampment, accommodation at Kirikiriroa railway station, footway at railway bridge.