HON. MR WARD'S ARRIVAL FROM CANADA.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 10354, 9 July 1895, Page 2

HON. MR WARD'S ARRIVAL FROM CANADA.

VISIT TO NEW PLYMOUTH. Thk Governmont steamer Hinemoa, from Manukau, having on beard the Hon. J. G. Ward, Colonial Treasurer, and Mrs Ward, arrived off tho breakwater on Monday night. Despatches were taken off and brought back. The Hinemoa was brought alongside Iho wharf about 9.30 a.m. to-day (Tuesday), and fcoek up a berth outside the Union Company's Mahinapua. A party of gentlemen left by the 10 a.m. train for the harbour, and on arrival went on board to see the Colonial Treasurer. The party consisted of His Worship the Mayor, Messrs B. M. Smith (M.H.K.), R. Cock, 0. Samuel, L. Sarten, C. S. Nixon, A. Biernacki (Stratford). After a short chat the Colonial Treasurer and Mrs Wardcame on Bhore with the party, and on to town by the return train, and were di iven to the Criterion Hotel, where lunch was partaken of. The Colonial Treasurer spent a few hours in town, and proceeded on to Wellington. In course of an interview, the _ Hon. Mr Ward he said he had enjoyed his trip Home immensely. He has been absent from New Zealand a little over four months. Both be and Mrs Ward are in excellent health, having been favored with remarkably fine weather since their departure from the colony, especially between "Vancouver and Auckland, and Mr Ward speaks in grateful terms of tho hearty hospitality and courtesy they experienced everywhere in their travels ; but, notwithstanding this and the many objects of interest they have seen, they are fain to confess that, after all, there a no place .like .home, and that for picturesque scenery, pleasant climate, and even comfort and refinement there is no need to go outside New Zealand: .In "Canada the pe*ple they met vied with eaob other in showering courtesies upon them. ' The Cana-dian-Pacific Railway Company placed a special car at the disposal of Mr and Mrs Ward, while Captain Bird, of the Warrimoo, and his officers did everything in their power to make the voyage from Vancouver as agreeable as possible ; and they were fortunate in having a number of very nice fellow - passengers. At Honolulu, Mr and Mrs Ward • were hospitably entertained at dinner by Major Hawes, the British representative, who showed them a number of places of historic interest. At Fiji they wore welcomed" by Chief Justice Barclay," the Acting- Administrator of the Islands, who presented Mr Ward with a Fijian emblem, a gift from one chief, and another he gave Mrs Ward, a finely carved olub. During Mr Ward's stay in Cai »3a he made extensive enquiries from the leading anthorities and experts, relative to the possibility of an improvement in prices of New Zealand produce, and he says he is convinced there is no reason why the value of our sheep should rule so_ low as af present. In Mr Ward's opinion the true causes must be locked for here, and not at the other aide. He is satisfied that good sheep, ought to be fetching' 2s 6d a head more than' to-day. There were several other matters discussed, but we, hive not space to-day to give further particulars respecting them. Mr Hyde, the secretary to Hon. J. G. Ward, who vent to meet the Colonial Treasurer at Honolulu, was one of the party on shore to-day. The Hon. J. G. Ward, accompanied by Mrs Ward, the two Misses Seddon, Miss Fairchild, and other ladies, visited the " Old Curiosity Shop" to-day (Tuesday), and then inspected the "Museum of Maori Curiosities," which Mr Butterworth had the pleasure of showing them.