PALMERSTON’S MAYOR.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXI, Issue 4527, 2 December 1901, Page 5

PALMERSTON’S MAYOR.

VISIT TO TASMANIA. IIIS EXPERIENCES AND IMPRESSIONS. Mr W. T. Wood, Mayor of Palmerston Nortli, arrived in Wellington on Saturday by the s.s. Westralia, from Hobart, ax lor an absence of nearly two_ months, spe ll l, in Ids nativo colony of Tasmania, Mr Wood, who was accompanied on the holiday trip by two of his daughters, has come buck in excellent health, having thoroughly enjoyed the sea voyage as well as his stay in Hobart. In conversation with a "New Zealand Times” representative, Mr Wood said he left on 3rd October for Hobart, with the primary object of seeing his father, wno resides in that city, and of revisiting the scenes of his youth. He had nob been in Hobart for nino or ton years, and he vas much struck by the progress the town had made in the interval. Ho fears, however, that the trade of tne place will suffer and its general prosperity will bo a fleeted, on account of till) Federal Customs tariff putting an end to tlio commercial interchange with New Zealand. Tasmania, ho agrees, has been ‘‘badly struck” by federation, and the financial concessions to bo made by the Commonwealth Government will nob recoup her the loss of trade and prosperity which she is suro to suffer. It will, in his opinion, bo a year or two before Tasmania is in a position to produce the articles she has boon importing from Now Zealand. ‘‘How are the tramways of Hobart succeeding?” asked the reporter. Well, Mr Wood’s impression is that these tramways —the first electric installation in Australasia—have proved a great convenience to the public hue a loss to the Corporation. Tlio service is a good one and tlio x linos are double over part of the route, but the traffic is insufiicioiit to make them remunerative. As for the overhead trolley system in vogue, ho thinks it most unsightly, and it causes obstruction to the traffic in streets that are neither so narrow nor si busy as those of Wellington are, “What public men did you meet there ?”

Mr Wood spoko with warm appreciation of his reception by tho Hou Mr Lewis, Premier of Tasmania, who is, like himsulf, a native of tho “tight little island.” 1 That gentleman offered him every facility for sight-seeing, and placed a special railway carriage at tho disposal of himself and friends. Mr Geo. Davis, M.L.C., Mayor of Hobart, also extended n hearty welcome to Mr Wood, introducing him to tho aldermen at a luncheon given in hia honour. All tho public men of Hobart expressed themselves as highly ploasued that a native of their city should have attained to such a good position in Now Zealand, and they warmly congratulated him, when tho nows arrived of his ro-oloction in his absence as Mayor of “tho largest inland town” in this country. The “Mercury,” in publishing tho news, headed it “Honour to a Tasmanian in New Zealand.” Mr Wood gave no public addresses while in Hobart, but ho attended tho agricultural show, which took place while he was there, and met many leading people. Speaking of other matters that came under his notice while in Tasmania, Mr Wood said ho was highly pleased with the system of tar asphalting applied to most of tho principal streets of Hobiirt. This gives smooth and practically noiseless traffic, while it is easily kept clean. Being president of tho Manawatu Jockey Club, Mr Wood inquired into racing matters in Hobart. Ho was shown over the course by the secretary of tho Tasmanian Metropolitan Racing Club, and made inquiries into tho latest methods and appliances connected with racing, to bo made use of in tho equipment of the now course at Palmerston. Among those he mot was Mr C. Hudson, who lately went from Wellington to fill tho position of General Manager of Tasmanian Railways. Mr Hudson was well sustaining his reputation and that of New Zealand—being highly esteemed by Ministers and others who knew his work.

Mr Wood, though naturally greatly pleased with his visit to his native laud, is pleased to bo back in New Zealand, and chiefly that ho will bo able to express his thanks to the people of Palmerston North for their renewed expression of confidence in him.