THE PREMIER AND PARTY AT REEFTON.

Timaru Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 3251, 26 February 1885, Page 8

THE PREMIER AND PARTY AT REEFTON.

(By Telegraph.) Reeftok, Feb. 6. The Hon. the Premier and the Minister of Mines were met twelve miles from Reefton on Friday evening by a large reception committee from Reefton and escorted here. A slight hitch occurred, the arrangements having been altered at the instance it would seem of Mr O'Connor of Westport. He arranged that the Ministers should stop on the road to visit Boatman's. The reception committee pointed out that this would completely upset the arrangements made m Reefton, where everything was prepared for the visitors' arrival. The Ministers seemed prepared to continue the journeyj but Mr O'Connor actively resisted this, and waa rather severely snubbed by. the reception ' committee, who viewed his act as insulting to them, the County Chairman and the | representatives of the district. Eventually a compromise was effected, the Hon. Mr Larnach proceeding to Reefton and the Premier remaining behind. The preparations at Reefton were on an elaborate scale, the , State School and other buildings being illuminated. A band of music and a. torchlight procession met tbe Minister of Mines, and preceded Ids carriage to the hotel, and the line of march was ablaze with fireworks. Reaching the hotel three hearty cheers were given for the Minister by the large crowd assembled, and- the Hon. Mr Larnacli briefly acknowledged the compliment. He apologised for the absent* of the Premier, and hoped that his visit to tho district would enable him to discharge the duties of his office with advantage to the mining interests and the colony generally. A large crowd blocked the street for some time after, and the band performed m front of the hotel for half an hour, when the demonstration ended. The public, however, did not quite understand the proceedings, the unexplained absence of the Premier from the reception forming the subject of comment. This morning the Premier and the Minister of Mines accompanied by the County Chairman and other visitors proceeded to Boatman's and inspected the low level tunnel, the Welcome battery and the other principal mines. After lunch tho Premier addressed' those assembled and expressed himeolf highly pleased with the reception accorded them. The importance of the mining industry to the colony, he said, was not fully understood or appreciated, but after what had been brought under his notice justice would be done. Mr Larnach and Mr Seddon also addressed those present. After cheers had been given for. the Premier, the Minister of Mines and others, the party returned to Reefton. The Ministers will leave here for Greymouth. on Sunday morning.

PbßSßlTta.tions. — About thirty persons met at the Club Hotel, Waimate, on Monday evening last, on the occasion oF a presentation to Mr McOwen, manager of the Bank of New Zealand at Waimate, who has been removed te 'Ashburton, Mr Steward, M.H.R., oeoupying the chair. The testimonial consisted of ft very handsome silver lea equipage and epergne, and nn illuminated address, by Mr Wrigg, handsomely framed. Mr McOwen expressed his pleasure at the testimonial and address. — OnSaturday evening last Sergeanfc .Ramsay was presented -with a parse of sovereigns by his •well-wishers, on the oc« caeioa of Wb reaioTal to luvoroargUJ,