THE PREMIER'S TOUR.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 12603, 5 March 1903, Page 5

THE PREMIER'S TOUR.

(Per United Press Association.) OHRISTCHURCH, March 4, . Tlio Premier was at Cheviot yesterday. A deputation waited upon him re cashing settlers' cheques at the local poat office. Mr Rutherford, M.H.R., explained the inconvenience and difficulty under present arrangements. All money paid into the post office was instantly sent awaj-, and the cash deposited in the Savings Bank was alro sent away, thereby depleting the town of cash. In reply, the Premier paid the matter was surrounded with great difficulties. He would certainly bring it under Hie notice of the Postmaster-general. He could see that the whole place was being depleted of (lie . necessary circulating medium. The Post- | master-general might arrange with the bank to honour cheques of the County Council people, whose accounts were good. (FltOM OUR OWM CoRRESrONDENT.) OHRISTCHURCH, March 4. The Premier's visit to North Canterbury is well timed. The district is in need of many public worlte, and Mr Seddon will be able to see for himself where, when, and how the money may be best expended. Just now the right honourable gentleman is in his favourite district—Cheviot,, a place .where he is always sure of the heartiest of welccmes, and, perhaps, a deputation or two to givo him gentle and congenial employment. When other subjects fail there is always llie Waipara-Choviot railway about which to courteously jog hw memory. Tlio Premier seems rather to enjoy it. Ho is always seen at his best by tlio Cheviot people. H. is always sympathetic, and ' generally anxious to do something to assist; and despite the dilatoriness of the progrcin of its railway Cheviot and tlio Premier liavo an excellent understanding.- But it- is not only in Cheviot that the settlers of North Cinterbury arc anxious to meet the Premier. Ho is expected at Cnlverden and Waiau and Haiuner. There is the question of the Cul-vcrdcn-Hanmer railway to engage his attention, or the alternative of a fast motor service, and the further improvement of the sanatorium itself hnn to be considered. T'w (>'ovcrnmcnt are anxious to make the pouthern health resort as attractive as the northern one, and to do all in their power to iccrcasn its popularity with tourists and the travelling public. Mr Sedd-m will bo shown several ways in which lie can as?ist this object. The Government have a lot of lccw:iy to make up in connection with Hanmer lrfore they expend a 6 much money upon as I it has already spent upon Botorua. Hanj mer lacks first of all ivlwt Rotoriia pos- ; sesses—railway communication.—and it- has none of those attractive buildings, pietiir- | esque gardens, and enticing conveniences ! with which Rotorua has been endowed at I the colony's expense.