THE PREMIER AT TIMARU.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13652, 23 July 1906, Page 5

THE PREMIER AT TIMARU.

A PUBLIC WELCOME.

(Pie Uxited Paiiss Association.)

TIMARU, Jnlv 21. The Premier (the Hon. W. Hall-Jones) arrived from the north this afternoon. He was welcomed to Timaru as Prime .Minister by the Mayor and a largo number of the public. The Mayor made reference to the momentous changes, and spoke very feelingly concerning the late Right Hoti. Mr'Seddon. The Mayor said ho was proud the member fer Timaru had boon chosen as Premier,' and while they sympathised with him in the trying and arduous duties which had devolved upon him, his constituents, as well as the people of (he whoie colony, admired (he able, laclful. and ve.rv dignified manner in which lie had carried then, out. On. behalf of the people of Jimaru, ho wished now to heartily congratulate the Premier. Their wish'wasand it. W a S the whh of the whole colonythat .Air Hall-Jones would be long spared m health and strength to continue to do good work for New Zealand. Mr Hall-Jones thanked the Mavor for tho hearty welcome. Ho raid the 'circumstances under which ho bad boon called upon to assume llio responsibilities of bis present position were vcrv sad. Richard John Seddon was New Zealand's greatest man, and his work was of las!in? benefit to every member of the community from the inmate,, of the Old Men's Home upwards. His death bad been a sad blow to New Zealand, and was felt keenly by the speaker. Mr Seildon's services were not confined to New Zealand alone, hut were also given to. and valued by. the Umpire at large, to which fact the enormous number of appreciative letters and telegrams received by the speaker from all parts of the Kmpirc abundantly testified. Mr Ha.llJonos concluded by saying that in his future conduct as Premier of this colony ho would he ruled only by the dictates of honour and the best interests of New Zealand. In pros; interviews, the Premier said the outlook was still good for the colony, there being every indication that tho prosperity so Ions; enjoyed would continue. The last quarterly revenue returns showed an increase of £118,000 as compared with those of the same period last year. The Premier mentioned that tor the 'present the importation of navvies had been stopped, the weather conditions, being unfavourable lo the work for which' they are required. Regarding tho complaints made concerning certain of tho back-block roads in the North Island, be explained that- these roads, beinp unformed, cut.up very badly when the [radio passed over them in wet weather. During tho last, summer there had only been five weeks of good weather, and this, of oour.-c. hsd delayed the work of metalling; but, during fine weather every effort was being made to put the roads in good order. Two thousand three hundred workmen were now employed on tho Main Trunk railway.

The Premier goes on to Dunodin on Monday, and returns north on Wednesday, staying over Thursday at Chrislcliurch.