THE HON. MR. BALLANCE'S VISIT TO NEW PLYMOUTH.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5896, 23 October 1885, Page 2

THE HON. MR. BALLANCE'S VISIT TO NEW PLYMOUTH.

The Hon. Mr. Ballance arrived in New Plymouth last night, and has taken rooms at the Criterion Hotel. Since his arrival he has been besieged with interviewers and deputations. A representative of our pnper waited on the Hon. Mr. Ballance this morning, and was accorded a very courteous interview. Mention was made of the recent misstalements about the New Plj mouth bieaksvater, Mr. Ballance said of course it should bo borno in mind that they were only the individual opinion of the writer Aq to himself he hud always looked upon the otructure as a very valuuble work and was pleased to learn that it had already given the place such a good port. It wus his intention to have inspected the breakwater this morning but hia time had been so fully taken' up in other ways that the visit will probably be postponed. He was also pleased to hear that the work had progressed so fur as to warrant tho erection of a wharf, but of courao the Government could not render din.cc monetary assistance in thn mutter, as tho Other haibors ot: the colony hud not been similarly treated. It wns the intention of the Government to retain the present strength of constabulary at Opunake. They would be employed at roadmaking, more especially on the Eltham Road. In fact this line seemed of so much importance that parts of it would also be let to contractors. Pukearuhe also* would bo retained as an armed constabulary post. There were many difficulties in the way of changing it to a civil police station at present. The Government had in their employ many officers who had distinguished themselves in various ways and randered good Bervice to the colony, and they could not be dispensed with .summarily. Civil employment would be found for them, and as their retirement from the Armed Constabulary would about keep pace with the reductions necessary in the force, the Blations could thus be gradually broken np. The Hon. Mr. Ballance received many deputations on hia way along tho coast, but the fact that they were all in connection with roads is taken as an indication that the native question, as far as it occupies tho attention of the settlers, has dwindled down to a matter of but little importance. Tho natives themselves eeemed to be tuking v great interest in roads, and ono or two who interviwed him since he has been in Taranaki have represented that they considered themselves as unfairly treated in not having roads made through their land, while Kawhi has had a road made through his. Several other roads would therefore probably Boon be commenced, notably, ono through tho land of Te Whetu, who has hitherto been somewhat notorious for his pronounced objections to road construction. Te Whiti is much opposed to the continuation of Kawhi'B Roud, and had practically boycotted the party engaged on it, but no active interference is anticipated. If such a thing were to occur the strong arm of the law would at once be used, and the obstruction immediately swept away. In reference to the extension of the jurisdiction of tho Taranaki Land Board over the West Const, another member from tho southern district would at once bo appointed on tho Taranaki Board, as he underdtood there was a vacancy. It is his intentiou to leave for Auckland to-morrow, he having some business to attend to in the Waikuto. His visit is not purpoßely to meet the Rarotongan Embassy, but it' they are still there when ho arrives, an interview will probably tako place. The Ministerial programme is to visit Waitara this evening, where it is expected there will be some business to transact, and advantage will also bo taken of the opportunity to inspect the Waitara Freezing Works. To-morrow the Hon. Mr. Ballance, in company with Lieut. Col. Btapp, will visit those places in the country which are of interest on Recount of their connection with incidents in the Maori wars.