THE DAY'S PROCEEDINGS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 13397, 28 January 1907, Page 6

THE DAY'S PROCEEDINGS.

PREMIER'S VISIT TO PUKEKOHE.

UNVEILING OFSEDDON MEMORIALS.

The Premier (who was accompanied by Messrs. F. Andrews and Hisiop. private secretaries) was met on arrival at Onelaiiiga. cm Saturday morning, by the Mayor of Onehunga (Mr. J. Howe), Messrs. A. Kidd, F. Lawry, M.H.R.'s, P. J. Nerheny, T. Harle Giles. D. A. Sutherland. G. L. Peacocks, T. Foley, W. .Johns, and E. Bond (Liberal and Labour Federation), Mr. C. Bagley'tehaiiman of the One-tree Hill Domain Board), and Messrs. W. R. Bloomiield and R. Hall (members of the same Board). Owing to the lack of time, Sir Joseph wan unable to accept the Domain Board's invitation to drive him by way of One-tree Hill, and this visit, was aecoqjingly postponed till this morning. The party came into town by train, and on arrival at the Auckland station the Premier was met and welcomed by the Mayor (Mr. A. M. Myers), the Hon. Major Harris, M.L.C.. Messrs. T. W. ]s-y*. W. J. Napier, and A. Roster. Sir Joseph left a few minutes later by the express for Pukekohe. where he periormed the ceremonies of unveiling two memorials to the late Premier. Sir Joseph was accompanied by a number of those who met him on his arrival, including the Hon. Major Harris, M.L.C.. and Mr. A. Kidd. M.H.R. The parly was joined at Oiahuhn by Mr. W. F. M'u.-sey, M.H.R. for Franklin.

On arrival at Pukekohe shortly after eleven o'clock, the Premier was met by a local committee, including the chairman of the Town Board (Mr. B. Andrew), Messrs. R. F. Webster, W. H. Fausett, J. Hickey, P. Hogau (members of the Town Board), .1. Patterson (town clerk), and H. Dell (chairman of the Seddon Memorial Committee). The Pukekohe Brass Band, under Bandmaster Anderson, was present and rendered a number of selections during the day's proceedings. The members of the committee having been introduced to the Premier by Mr. Massey, Mr. Andrew extended a cordial welcome to the Premier on the occasion of his first visit to tike district. Sir Joseph briefly replied, and an adjournment was then made to the Pukekohe Hotel, where a- number of deputations were received. THE DEPUTATIONS. The first matter brought, forward byMessrs. Andrew and Webster, on behalf of the Town Board, was the need for improved postal accommodation. It was pointed out that the needs of the district had outgrown the combined railway and postal office, and that a separate post office, was warranted by the present business. The need for an improvement to the railway station (which was erected when the line was first opened) and the siding accommodation was also pointed out. Mr. Massey. in endorsing these representations, said that if a Pukekohe fanner used such a building as the railway station as a cowshed, the dairy inspector would have serious fault to find with it. (Laughter.) lie had presented a numerously signed petition on the subject to the House last session, and the Minister for Railways had promised to look into he matter on his first visit to Auckland.

The Premier said thai he would have inquiries made into the matters referred to, and if the official reports justified it a separate post office would lie provided. Sir Joseph subsequently went over the station, and admitted that the present building was not capable of improvement. The Onewbero Road Board asked for improved telephonic communication with Pukekohe-, in order that extended facilities might he provided for summoning medical assistance. Sir Joseph said that this matter would he attended to.

The Premier (as reported elsewhere) also received deputations in regard to the question of Government assistance towards tic repair of the damages in the Hooded districts. COMPLIMENTARY LUNCHEON. At noon the Premier was entertained by the Town Board at a complimentary luncheon at the Pukekohe Hotel, The chairman of the Town Board (Mr. B. Andrew) presided, and there was a good attendance, including the members of Parliament and others accompanying the Premier. A capital luncheon was provided by Host Graham. The toast of The King" having been honoured, the chairman proposed the health of "Our Guest and the present Government." Sir Joseph, in responding, referred to the prosperous state of the district and the colony generally. He expressed regret at the disastrous Hoods in the district, and expressed a hope that the difficulties thereby occasioned would be quickly rectified. Whilst refraining on such an occasion from touching on controversial politics, he said that the members of the Ministry were now

all in good health, and were all anxious to do their best to promote the interests of the colony. Mr. Masscy. in tin- important position that lie held, had a similar desire, and no doubt, with his co-operation, the Government would be able to carry on for all time. (Laughter.) Mr. H. Dell proposed " The Two Houses of Parliament." and Major Harris and Mr. Massey responded. The latter referred to the prominence attained by Pukekohe during the last' two or three years owing to it being represented by the Leader of the Opposition. He hoped the representations made to the Premier that day would bear good fruit, and in alluding to the approaching Imperial Conference expressed a hope that in time it. would develop into an Imperial Council, on which i : ie whole of the. colonies would be represented. Amongst the matters of great importance, to the Empire and this colony \\ iiich were to be discussed at the conference wore those of reciprocal treaties, the alio race problem, the future maintenance of the islands of the I'aeilic. and the maintenance of the Australian squadron. On the latter point, the Premier and himself wire of one mind, viz., that they would in the future have to face the question of contributing more largely to the upkeep of the squadron, in order to bring it into a higher stale of efficiency in regard to both armament and men. (Applause.) The health of "The Chairman" was proposed by the Premier, and suitably honoured.

UNVEILING CEREMONIES. After luncheon the Premier performed the ceremony of unveiling a framed photograph of the late MV. Seddon in the public school, which was well tilled for the occasion. The Rev. J. J. Mather, chairman of the School Committee, presided, and in his remarks referred to the good work done by Mr. Seddon as Minister for Education. The free places in our public schools would, he said, always keep the memory of Mr. Seddon green, and the photograph would further serve to keep his name in the minds of their children and those who came after them.

Sir Joseph, in unveiling the photograph— an excellent likeness of the late Premier expressed his appreciation of the action of those who had taken this means of paying honour to the memory of the. late Premier and Minister for Education—a man whose, strong and forceful character and desire for the public good was recognised even by those who did not agree with many of his political views. The next gathering was at the site at the top of King-street, on which the S<'ddoii memorial lamp lias been erected. This memorial consists of three acetykyie gas lights of 60 candle-power each, mounted on a handsome granite base, bearing the following inscription:—"Erected in memory of Richard John Kcddon, Premier of New Zealand, 1893-1906. -lie wrought the |>eople lasting good. "

Mr. Dell, chairman of the Memorial Committee, .stated thai the cost of the lamp (about £100) hail been contributed to by persons (if all shades of political views in the district. The lamp would be handed over to the Town Board on behalf of the people of Pukekolie and the surrounding district. Mr. Andrew accepted the lamp on behalf of the Town Hoard. Sir Joseph, in unveiling the memorial, said that no better means of paying honour to the memory of the late Premier could have been devised, and the fact that it was provided by the subscriptions of people of all sides of politics, showed a general and generous recognition of the great- qualities of the late Premier. He was sure that Mrs. Seddon and family would greatly appreciate this tribute paid to the memory of her late husband.

Mr. Massey moved a hearty vote of thanks to Sir Joseph Ward for his kindness in visiting Pukekolie that. day. at considerable personal inconvenience, for the purpose of forming that- ceremony. As the representative of the district lie (Mr. Massey) was glad to testify to the non-political nature of the gathering. The Memorial Commit consisted of men of both sides of politics, and the funds had been contributed by all sections of the community. The late Premier wu.s a strong Imperialist, ajid one who had done good service to the Empire at a critical period of its history. Mr. Seddon was a good friead, as well as a powerful opponent, and as one who was his principal opponent in the last Parliament- he would like to say that Mr. Seddon never carried his political differences into private life. (Applause.) When a. public man devoted the best years of his life to the service of bis, country it was only right that his memory should be perpetuated. Mr. Seddon was one of the first to recognise that the colonies were not merely dependencies, but partners in th» Empire, and that they must take their sha.ro of the responsibilities ad well a.s the privileges attaching to the position of an integral portion of the Empire, ami the remarkab'e character of the, late Premier would no doubt he recognised by the historian when the history of the colony came to be written. (Applause.) The vote of thanks having Iveen carried by acclamation. Sir Joseph thanked Mr. Massey and those present, ami also acknowledged .services rendered by the band in being present. Cheers were then aiven for the Premier, and the gathering dispersed. Sir Joseph and party shortly afterwards left by train for Auckland, where they arrived short I v before four o'clock.