INTERVIEW WITH THE PREMIER.

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

INTERVIEW WITH THE PREMIER.

SOME LOCAL MATTERS.

11l the course of an interview on Saturday, a Hv.RAi.i) reporter questioned the Premier concerning a few matters of local inlerect. Asked whether anything was being done in regard to the question of a new past office for Auckland, Sir Joseph said that nothing had been decided upon, hut a full report upon the working and the accommodation, at the present office would be prepared in readiness: for his return from the Old Country. " His the matter of a new railway station also been considered?'' "Nothing special has been done, beyond the making of inquiries into the needs of this and other towns where the question of increased accommodation will have to be considered as soon as the necessary funds are available for allocation. You have a fine site at Auckland, which will he available for extension when the time comes." In retard to the duplication of the Auckland-Penrose railway, the Premier (who was Minister for Railways when this work was commenced! remarked that he had stated at the outset that the undertaking was i greater one than was commonly supposed. A greater quantity of rock than had been anticipated, had also been met with, but the work was going on very well. "Then there is the tunnel—is that to be duplicated?*' "That matter will have to wait, as I previously indicated, until the other work is completed." "The Minister for Public Works has stated. Sir Joseph, that the Main Trunk railway will be completed by the end of next year, as formerly predicted by him." "Yes," said the Premier, "that will he so, so far as can be judged at present."

VISIT TO VKTKRANfV HOME. The. Premier spent yesterday vervouietlv. receiving several calif fiom personal friends in the morning. '. the afternoon accompanied by the Maw,.- of Auckland (Mr. A. .M. Myers), he <\ >ve out to the Veterans' Home, and was shown ever the institution by Captain A her. officer in charge. The veterans were Assembled while ■Sir Joseph addressed a few words- to them. He inquired from them win-!her thev were all comfortable, and received an emphatic answer in the affirmative. He also inquired into the general condition of their health, and found it very satisfactory. Sir Joseph told the veterans 'that when he saw Lord Ran furl ki Loudon, he would be very glad to let that gentleman know how satisfactory were (lie general conditions of the institution. He could say lie found the premises clean and well kept, and the veterans' own admission of their satisfaction at the treatment they were receiving. In addition to speaking to all the veterans assembled, the Premier spoke to them individually, and again heard their expressions of gratitude and satisfaction at the general condition of things all round, and at what was being done for them.

TODAYS ARRANGEMENTS. The Premier has arranged to receive a deputation from the Onehunga Borough Council, at. One-tree Hill, at seven o'clock j this morning, to discuss certain matters in j connection with One-tree Hill. He does J not intend to take many deputations, owj ing to the tieineudous amount of Departj mental business which has to he despatchled before leaving the colony on his visit I Home; but will, in the course ol tun I morning, receive two deputations _ with : whom lie made appointments while ii> tho I South. Sir Joseph will be entertained by the : Auckland Chamber of Commerce, at a j luncheon in the Chamber's rooms, at one j o'clock. He will sail by the s.s. Wimmera, I which is. timed to have at. half-past live to-day.