THE HON. W. HALL-JONES'S TOUR.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 11937, 10 January 1901, Page 6

THE HON. W. HALL-JONES'S TOUR.

(From Our Own Coheesposdent.) I INVERCARGILL, January 9. I The Hon. W. Hall-Jones, accompanied by his secretary and Mr Gilfedder, M.H.R., after leaving Eastern Bush this morning, drove over part of the Merrivale settlement. The Minister was favourably impressed with the signs of progress made, and in reply to a deputation which interviewed him regarding a narrow gauge railway from Waicolo to Manaponri, via Eastern' Bush, said the matter would receive his early and earnest consideration. He thought tliat the powers of loeal bodies should be extended so n,s to enable them, to borrow money at a reasonable rate of interest for the construction of tramways. He was pleased with the district, and had a high opinion of it« resources and its future. The party drove down to Clifden, crossed the Waia'u over the new suspension bridge, and after a journey down the western bank recrnssed by the punt at the lower ferry, and drove to Orepnki, where the party was joined by Mr Arnold, k.H.R. Tho Minister inspected the works on the new Waiau railway, and paid a visit to the shale works, over which he was , courteously shown by the general manager (Mr Dtinlop). The. Ministerial party came on to Riverton, and, after spending a pleasant hour in the Western town, proceeded to Invercargill, where they arrived before 8 o'clock. In the evening the Hon. Mr Hall-Jones was entertained at a complimentary social in Raeside's Restaurant, when, in addition to :i pond attendance of citizens, Messrs H. Feldwick, M.L.C., J. F. Arnold, M. Gilfedder. J. A. Hanan, J. M'Lauchlan, and R. M'Nab, M.H.R.'s, were also present. His Worship the Mayor pressed, and explained'(hat at a very short notice it had I decided to entertain the Minister of Public Works at a complimentary social as he passed through. Invercargill, which accounted for tho absence of some of the prominent citizens. After the usual toasts of "The Queen" and "The Army, Navy, and Volunteers," proposed by Mr W. 15. Fox and responded to by' Lieutenantcolonel Feldwick, M.L.C.. Captain Murphy and Trooper founders, "The Parliament of New Zealand" was proposed by Mr A. Kinross. The Hon. Messrs Feldwick, M.L C R. M'Nab, M. Gilfedder, J. P. Arnold, John M'Lauehlan, and J. A. Hanan,' M.H.R's. responded. Mr Arnold was received with loud and prolonged applause, and defended the labour laws. Mr M'Lauchlan complimented Southland on her grand asset in good land and the splendid scenery of the Lakes, and advocated the Government placing a fast steamer on Lake Wakatipu, and a through train service from Ohristchurch and Invercargill •to facilitate the tourist traffic. Mr W. A. Morris proposed "The Guest of the Evening" in a few appropriate remarks. The Hon. Mr Hall-Jones, in responding, was received with cheers. The progress during the past three years in the Western district was, he said, the most pleasing feature of his visit to the south. It was only an instance of the progress of the past 60 years, and reflected huge credit on the pioneers. His remarks were on the same lines as his Eastern Bush speech, and chiefly ■ detailed the work of the administration of the colony's Legislature and the work of the present-day member. When the telegraph office, closed the Minister was speaking of the improvements in the communication to the Lakes, which are now due to be made.