MR MILLAR'S TOUR.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 14465, 6 March 1909, Page 5

MR MILLAR'S TOUR.

DEPUTATIONS AT QUEENSTOWN

(FitOJI OUR SI'ECIiL REtORTEIt.) QUEENSTOWN, March 5. The Hon. Mr Millar, Minister 0 f Kailways, received a deputation at Eichardt's Hotel this morning _ from tho Borough Council and citizens in regard to a number of local wants. Mr- W. Fraser, M.P., introduced the deputation, which consisted of Messrs J. Edgar (Mayor), M. •(• Gavin, A. Mayne, G. T. Se'arle, C. E. Gudgeon, W. J). Warren, and G. Morris. Messrs T. 11, Davey, M.P. (C'liristchurch East), T. Ronayne (General Manager of Railways), and'C. A. Riper (Traffic Superintendent, Southland), were also present. Mr-Edgar said the Prime Minister had promised an improvement in the steamer service. Every season showed tho necessity for it, as the lack of accommodation on the boats was becoming moro and more noticeablo as time went on. Ite also asked that the week-end excursion tickets now available, from Saturday to Wednesday should ho extended from Saturday to Saturday to give tourists an opportunity of visiting the Head of the Lake, if under present arrangements they missed the chance of going on .Monday. Mr Gavin urged that the mail from Dunedin to Qucenstowu should be brought through every day in the winter time instead of on only four days, and he advocated monthly week-end excursions in the winter time, which was really the best limo to see the Wakatipu district. He further asked for the erection of bathing sheds on the domain

ground. Mr Eraser, in supporting the request for an improvement in the steamer service, said that Sir Joseph Ward last year said he was prepared to spend £20,000 or £22,000 on a largo fast steamer for the lake. The opinion he (Mr Fraser) hold then, and still held, was thai if the department was prepared to spend that sum he would prefer to see it spent in two.sums of £10.000 each in two boats. What was urgently required was a serviceable boat that, would not only answer tho purposes of the tourist traffic, but also answer the purposes of the lake traffic during the rest of the year. They did not want an expensive toy that ilie.y dared not put. cattle or sheep or timber in; they wanted a boat of moderate speed, which would have reasonable accommodation for a considerable number of people and shelter for them when the- weather was bad. The passenger traffic would largely increase if there was better accommodation on the boats. Tim Hon. Mr Millar, in reply, expressed his pleasure at meeting the deputation. He was aware that Sir Joseph Ward had promised that a new steamer would be provided for the lake, and he thought the late Mr Seddon had made a similar promise, (for Fraser: "Yes"). 'Thai a new steamer was required was beyond doubt, as tho Hen Lomond was thoroughly unsuitable for the ordinary traffic that took place in the summer season. At the same time the boat would still be handy for running picnic excursions to different parts of the lake. Sir Joseph Ward had an idea that there, should bo a very fast boat put on the lake, lie would like to see that class of boat himself, but one must cut one's coat, according to the cloth, and owing to the large number of demands on the Railway Department for absolutely necessary works to facilitate traffic—anil it was the traffic (hat brought in the revenue—he could not say more than thai these demands would be" met as the Government had the means. Without making anv definite promise he would endeavour this year to provide money for a new boat. Of course, the Cabinet would have to deal with the whole matter, but individually he was of opinion that the j time had arrived when the new boat ; ought to he nut in hand. He would seo whether it was not possible to have the boat built in New Zealand bv New Zealanders. liver 20 years am'the Matai. of 350 tons, was built in Wellington, and the Oreti in Dunedin. and il was snrelv possible to-day fo build a suitable vessel for the lake in the Dominion. The Auckland ferrv boats, including the Condor and the Kestrel, were built locally and carried 1500 people, which was a hirsev beat than was required for Lake Wakftlipu. He Ihomdit there were men in New Zealand who were capable of doing the work, and both on (he. score of economy and of time it should be undertaken here. At present the department was possessed of plans of a boat to be built at Home, but it. was too elaborate. It was all rigid. lor the Thames, where there were millions of people to work on, but here the tourist traffic, was somewhat limited, and the department could not afford to have a larse amount of capital lying idle. He Ihmighl a really j;ood paddle boat, longer than the Mountaineer, and with more beam and capable of steaming 15 knots, would be the most suitable class of boat. Several members of the deputation expressed ihe opinion that the Minister's suggestion wa« a good one. The Hon. Mr Millar, continuing, said such a. boal would make better weather, and there would be little motion, because a paddle boat always made less motion than a screw boat,'though there nimhl be more noise. As far as he was concerned *he would try to get a move on in regard to the new steamer—(Applause). Mr Eraser pointed out that there was no need to wait for further parliamentary sanction, because there was a vole, on last, year's Estimates of £2000 on account of £20,000. .Replying to other points brought, up by the deputation, Mr Millar said the patronage given to the week-end excursions by the public was becoming less year by year, notwithstanding that the charge was only £1 from Dunedin and back. He did not think it would be advisable to do anything more in the matter until (hey got tlie new boat and trade developed. As far as lie saw. the request could only be granted if Ihe charge was increased to such a rate that would pay the department. If the occasion warranted it the department would do all il could to popularise the excursion, but it could not sacrifice revenue unduly. As for a daily mail in the winter months, he had to say that at the present time he was knocking off trains throughout the country that did not pav. ami be was informed by the railway officials that the present winter service on four days in the week did not pay; therefore, he would not promise a din'lv mail in the winter months. Regarding the trial of monthly week-end trips iii the. winter lime, Mr Ronaync had suggested to him that they might try three trips in the coming winter as an experiment. air li-unayne suggested that the deputation should suggest the most suitable , dates for the excursions so that the department would not be at fault if the excursions were not successful. The Hon. Mr Millar said that would he an advisable thing to do. Concerning the request for bathing-sheds he would bring it under the notice of the Tourist Department, In reply to a further request for certain concessions in connection with the forlbcomini; regatta on the lake, Mr Millar said that the concessions granted last year would be granted this year, but Beyond' that the. department could not go. He did not favour the idea of an excursion train from Invercargill and Gorp to Queenstown on regatta dav, returning on the Same day. ''he deputation thanked the Minister for his courteous reception, and Mr Miljar said he hoped the next time he saw icm he would come to Qucenstowu in tlie new boat.

SOCIAL GATHERING. The Hon. Mr Millar was entertained this evening at a public social ill the Volunteer Hall, which was tastefully decorated for the occasion. Members of the Lake County Council and Qucenstown borough. Council were present, as well as a large number of townspeople. The chair was occupied by Mr ,1. Edgar (Mayor of Qucenstown)'. and the eveimi" was devoted to speeches and music. ° The Chairman welcomed Mr Millar and referred to ids great abilities as an administrator. His career was a worth v example for manv young men to follow'. The speaker thanked the Minister for the promise he had given that day to improve, the steamer service on the'lake. He trusted that it would not bo lorn; before

a finely-modelled boat stenmed into the bay, with the lion, gentleman as -commander on its first trip.—(Applause.) Tlie Rev. Father O'Donnell said it was ;i great favour tu have the honour of a visit from the guest of the evening. Mr Millar's visit would do much to make their magnificent scenery belter known. Tlieir lakes and mountains were for them an eternal asset, although they were in one respect barriers to tlieir progress. They isolated them to some extent from free and easy communication with the world outside. They made them a limited community; but with increased facilities they hoped in the near future to expand and multiply considerably.—(Applause.) Notwithstanding their isolation atid that the lakes and mountains were barriers to their progress, they were very dear to them, and therefore'they were most grateful to Mr Millar for having come among Ilium to make them more widely known. —(Applause.) When the fill lire'historian of New Zealand had critically examined the characteristics and actions of flic Dominion's great men, be believed that the name of the Hon. J. A. Miliar would stand out in bold relief as being mm of her nio.il painstaking one of her inost farsighted, and one of lier most fearless statesmen.—(Applause.) Mr I/. Holop expressed the opinion that Mr Millar was a man of strength and wijl and of resource and courage. The Hon. Air Millar, on rising to reply to the welcome extended to Tiim, was received with heartv plaudits. He returned Ids sincere thanks for the great honour conferred on him on his first ollicial visit to Queonslown. He did not think he was altogether entitled to the high opinions expressed concerning him. He had studied the history of the men of the past in New Zealand, and any man who did so could not but keep high ideals before him. Those menSvere determined that the causes that produced certain results in the Old Laud should not exist in this young country, and when they came hero they set aside large endowments for education, knowing full well that the more highly-educated the nation the more powerful woflld it. become.—(Applause.) In the great war of commerce now going on the race that was not highly educated must go to the wall. What was taking place in the older countries'; The Motherland, which was once the manufacturing centre of the world, was being keenly run by Germany or. the one hand ami by America on the other in many of the. manufactures in which she was for many years pre-eminent:. There was no country in the world giving a higher technical education than Germany. Hundreds of thousands of pounds were being spent in that country on equipping colleges in such a'way that they might impart the highest technical education. v ..«"ihle., so that a youth might be turned on! so h:ghlvtrained that he was ready to take tu; work in any factory. The result was (bat the Germans were steadily creeping into different parts of the world and' becoming keen competitors with Kngalncl. America was following on the same lines. It was realised that for voare to come New Zealand would be exporting the natural products of the soil. It had not yet reached the stage of becoming a manufacturing country, but here there was everv known raw material required for the industries of the world all concentrateo in one or other part of this .Dominion, and when one looked into the future it'required no great stretch of the imagination to sec that as our population gi-pw larger the time would come when those raw materials would be gradually worked up. With the increase of population there would be increased consumption, and in years to conic he believed, Nature having endowed this country so lavishly with water power, New Zealand would become an important exporting country, if she was onlv carefully looked after and given a fair opportunity.—(A nnlause.) After referring to the scenic beanfv of Lake Wakafipu, Mr Millar said he hoped the day was not far ditsant when it would be' possible starting from the lilul'f, to go up the YVaiau Valley on to Mnnapoiiri. Te Anau, and through ihe Greenstone Valley to ' Qucenstown, thence to Wanaka, thu-;_ hringin.r the attractions of ho.-e four lakes before visitors who made the trip.-LApplanse.) In saW,,,, a few words about the ilrpartmei;! under us control ho touched on the c-tse put. before him that day for a new steamer, ami then asked permission to give the Qucenstowu people a word of ad°vice not jo write to the press running down the boats at present on the lake.-(Applause.) Letter writing of the class he had s?en for the last few days would have only oua effect, and that was to keep people away from Qiwenstuivn, .so that in fhpir own interests they should not publish therv ills from the housetops. The Government fully recognised- the mwtilv of getting bi'ticr transit on the lake. He also dcsiicd to say that Quaetistowii was one of the finest' health resorts in NewZealand, with a splendid climate, which ttie Australians, iiliev their hot summers, must greatly appreciate. Thoy would derive move benefit at Qucenstotra than by going further north, where the, climate was so iimilar to the one they were used to. lie had. therefore, to ask'the Quecnstown lSorough Council to assist, tho Government by makin.,' the town as attractive us possible, to travellers; otherwise the goad edict ol I lie efforts of the Government would be lost. I'u[erring to tho posit imi of the Dominion generally, he said all must admit Hint it had' gone ahead for the past 20 years. The financial tight tUi-s thill exiitrd at present would soon pass away, and care aiid attention being exercised, no harm wmi'd result to the country. Mr Millar concluded by expressing the hope that tho borough would ctmiimie fo progress, ami that on fut tu e occasions be would have an opportunity of meeting the Quern-town people.

-(Applause.) Mr \V. Fraser, M.P., who was welcomed by the meeting, said it gave him pleasure to join wlh them in welcoming the Hon. Mr Millar to the district. He was of opinion that ihe letters referred to by Air Millar were not- written by Kridenls, but by travellers or others who '■ad been in the district. The Minister K ;id told them that he intended to look very carefully into the details of the management, of his department and to obviate any loss that might be going on. Ho (Mr Fraser) would urge upon the Minister that while so doing he .should remember that a laihvay might not actually pay in pounds, shillings, and pence, and 'yet he a splendid asset to a country. The chief object of a railway was to promote eeltlcmenf, and if a- railway promoted settlement in various parts it- iras indirectly paying the country liftyfold or more the cost of its construction, It was possible, too, to make charges on a railway that would injure the whole system. Main roads were not naked to return interest, and yet hundreds of thousands of pounds were spent on rota's and bridges,—(Applaufo.) Mr T. If. Davey, M.P., said the scenery oi the district was a national asset, and therefoic as many tourists as possible should be attracted to (lie cotmtrv.

During the evening' a volin solo was contributed by for Stroud, vocal solos by Mrs Musseii and Miss 1). Keay, and a" duet by Mrs Mussen and Mr J. C. Miiride. Miss 1). Warren acted as accompanist'. Hearty votes of thanks were accord::! the Mayor for presiding and th.i musicians', and an enjoyable evening was brought to a close with the singing by the audience of'the National Anthem.