THE PREMIER AT KAWHIA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XL, Issue 12279, 25 May 1903, Page 5

THE PREMIER AT KAWHIA.

WANTS OF THE DISTRICT.

SOCIAL IN THE PUBLIC HALL. [BY TEiiF.ftRAHt.—OWN- CORBESrONMNT.]

Kawiiia, Sunday.

The Premier and party arrived here in the Hinemoa at half-past four on Saturday. An assembly of residents had been Waiting since nine a.m., and headed by Mr. D'Arcy Hamilton, to had been appointed chairman of the Reception Committee, welcomed Mr. Seddon.

The Hinemoa drew up alongside the wharf, and when Mr. Lang introduced the ladies and gentlemen of the Reception Committee, Mi-. Seddon said he was astonished at the multitude of people who had assembled to greet him. He had no idea when he left for here that so much progress had been made, and he congratulated them on it. His sympathy lay with the bush settlers and those in the back blocks.

The Kawhia Brass Band had "one down in the Marakopa steamer to the heads, and played several selections. The Premier was quite astonished and pleased to hear the music. The Hon. T. Y. Duncan and Mr. CI. Mueller were with the Premier, and Mr. H. J. Greenslade, Mesdames Seddon and Greenslade, Captain, Miss, and Master Seddon, were also of the party. Mr. Seddon proceeded to the Public Hall, where he received deputations. Mr. Bell acted as spokesman for Oparau, and asked that a road and two or three small bridges might be constructed so as to connect the settlers with the harbour. Now they are isolated. For the Terauamoa deputation Mr. Easy spoke, Mr. F. A. Pearson for the Awaroa settlers, Mr. Hurst for the Kinohaku, and Mr. Edward - Buckeridge for the Aotea, all asking for necessary work to be done. Mr. T. Wake spoke at some length on behalf of the township and suburban residents, drawing attention to the difficulties under which they laboured, having no local body. The streets wanted grading, the roads making, the wharf and reclamation grounds required attention.

The various deputations were introduced by Mr. Lang, the member for the district, and Mr. Seddon promised that all the requirements that it was possible to grant should meet with immediate attention. They evidently desired to ask for only reasonable grants, and he saw the urgent necessity of these works.

Mr. Duncan also spoke to the settlers about these matters. Mr. Mueller was in touch with all matters spoken of, and his advice and knowledge facilitated matters. After the deputations were disposed of Mr. Seddon invited Messrs. G. H. BuClceridge, D'Arcy Hamilton, and A. E. Langley on board the Hinemoa to dinner.

At eight p.m. the social was commenced in the Public Hall. All the visitors were present, as well as Captain and Mrs. Bollons and the officers of the Hinemoa. An impromptu concert Was arranged. Miss Ruby Hamilton sang " The Old Country;" Mr. E. Buckeridge, "The Lighthouse-keeper;" Mr. Hamilton, " Sweetheart of Mine;" Mr. H. Brown, of the Hinemoa, "A Sea Song," and "The Little Hero;" the Premier, " Nancy Lee " and as an encore " The Wearing of the Green;" Miss Buekeridge, "Children's Home;" Captain Bollons, "The Chase;" Mr. Wright, a humorous recitation; Mr. G. H. Buekeridge, "True Till Death." After the concert the chairman, Mr. D'Arcy Hamilton, announced that supper would be proceeded with, and gave the toast of " The King." Captain Pearson proposed "Tho Army and Navy," Captain Seddon responding. Mr. Crookes, in a particularly good speech, proposed " The Guest." Mr. Seddon responded in a feeling manner, stating that Mr. Crookes bad struck the keynote of the Government policy, that what Sir George Grey and Mr. Ballance had outlined dimly, he, with the assistance of his colleagues, had transformed into accomplished facts. Sir. Wake was to have proposed " The Legislature," coupled with the name of Mr. Witheford, M.H.R., but as the latter was not present the toast was omitted, and Mrs. Darcy Hamilton, as representing the women of Kawhia, proposed "The Health of Mr. Lang." She said it was an unusual thing for a woman to propose a toast, but as she had been asked by the sterner and wiser sex to do so she had done it, as Mr. Lang was a great favourite among the ladies some say because he was a bachelor. That was not her reason, but because he was an upright and honourable gentleman, whom they all respected, and if he had not done as much for them as she had heard some nasty people suggest, they certainly could not accuse him of making any of the horrible things known as pie-crust promises. Mr. Lang replied by saying how much he appreciated the flattering and kindly words of the lady who had proposed his health, and thanked her and the ladies of Kawhia for the honour they had done him. Mr. T. Moffatt proposed "The Natives," and Mr. Ta.ui Wetere responded, Mr. E. Falwasser acting as interpreter. " The Ladies " were toasted by Mr. A. W. Mann, and the toast was replied to by Mr. Bell, of Marakopa. After this Mr. Seddon proposed that the room be cleared for a dance, which was accordingly done. To-day Mr. Seddon and party went round the harbour, and to see the natives at Maketu, after which the Hinemoa is to leave for New Plymouth.