Pre-Sessional Address by Mr W. Fraser, M.H.R.

Thames Star, Volume XVI, Issue 5111, 4 June 1885, Page 2

Pre-Sessional Address by Mr W. Fraser, M.H.R.

There was a large attendance at the Academy of Music last evening to hear Col. Fraser, M.H.R. for this district,deliver his pre sessional address. The chair was occupied by Mr J. MeGowan, who briefly introduced the speaker.

Col. Fraser, who was received with applause, said he would have addressed them before, bat he had delayed doing so in the hope that in the meantime some progress would have been made with our railway, and that ho would have something definite to tell them. During the recent visit of Mr Larnach to this district, representations were made to him of the urgent need of the work being undertaken at once, and the serious consequences to the welfare of the Thames which would occur were the work not completed. The hon. Minister then wired to the Minister of Public Works, and received a reply that the date for the calling of tenders had been fixed for the 15th July, which reply Mr Larnach hoped would be satisfactory to the inhabitants. He (the speaker) had spent a considerable portion of his time in this matter, and was pleased that satisfactory progress was now being made towards the carrying out of this most desirable work. He had also been delayed in attending to mining matters, and only returned from Auckland yesterday, where he had been engaged in matters connected with LaMonte's patent, when he received a telegram from Mr Richardson stating that the contract for ■the railway would be advertised in Wellington on Friday, and at the Thames on the arrival of the first mail after that date, the tenders to be receivable on the 15th July. He had every possible assistance from Mr A. J. Cadman and Sir G. Grey, and together with his colleagues, among whom now was Mr J. Sheehau, he would use every possible means in his power to endeavor to have the work pushed on as speedily as possible, On his (the speaker's) first arrival in Wellington, Major Atkinson was in power, and, in accordance with certain pledges made to the electors by him, he considered it his duty to oppose that Ministry. On the resignation of Major Atkinson, the Governor communicated with Sir Julius Yogel, who succeeded in forming a Cabinet, in which the only member who could have been considered to have any connection with the North was Sir Geo. Whitmore. On the ground, therefore, that it represented the South only, Sir G. Grey resolved to have nothing to do with it; and Mr Cadman, Capt. Morris, and himself decided to unite, and do their best for this part of the colony. Capt. Morris, however, throw in his lot with the new Ministry, which was defeated the first night. Mr Thompson wasr then sent for, but failed to form a Ministry, as also did "Sir G. Grey. A Cabinet was then formed by Major Atkinson, of which ail the members were new to office except Mr Mitchelson. Sir G. Grey had pointed out to him many reasons why he could not support this combination, but he (the speaker) was unfortunately laid np with illness at the time. The Governor had then again to send for Sir Julius Vogel, when the present Ministry was formed—Messrs Macandrew and Montgomery agreeing to give Government a general support, and Mr Tale was to be taken in. Mr Cadman, Capt. Morris, and himself were again united, and there was a proposal to make a Minister of Mines, it being proposed that the portfolio should be given to Capt, Morris or Mr Cadman. Since then Mr Morris had been called to the Upper House, and Mr Larnach had received the appointment, who, he believed, would do his best for the district. He would be prepared to give the present Government a general support. Of the Bills which had passed, none had practically affected this district, except that relating to the ! Parawar Ward, the circumstances of which they were fully acquainted. Much indignation bad been expressed at the incorporation of so small a district into a ward, and a resolution was drafted by Dr Kilgour, Mr McGowan, and Mr Speight to that effect. Previous to his. departure for Wellington, a meeting was held at the Borough Chambers, to consider the various matters requiring his attention, and among them was this one. The Government Intended amending the Municipal Corporations Act, but owing to the delay which took place relative thereto, he thought it better to add his provision to Mr Levestam's Bill, together with a clause placing the Thames .in the same position as other Boroughs of less than 4000 inhabitants. The latter clause was, however, rejected by the Upper House, though the former passed, On his return here he was astonished to find, that .the supporters of the Parawai Ward clause had changed their minds ; but the matter had now been decided in the Supreme Court, and as Mr Macandaew was reelected for a larger ward, he would be happy to work with him in the Council for the good of his ward and the Borough generally. He had promised some of the young men to bring in a Bill to sell the Recreation Ground, and pur chaseone more suitable for their wants. His effoits in tbig direction had been successful, and the sale was to have taken place on the Ist April, when jt would doubtless have realised a satisfactory price, put p,wing to Dr Kilgour's action in the Parawai Ward affair, the sale was postponed. He had been in communication wjth the late Mr E. Graham re the parch»ie of (he Waio g*raka Flat,-which

would be more suitable for recreation purposes, and believed that but for that gentleman's untimely death, the matter would have ;lbeen satisfactorily settled. However, he trusted that ere long they would be in possession of a suitable recreation ground. Among various other matters which had been entrusted to him, was a petition largely signed by miners j regarding the Miner's Eight grievance. Tbe petition had been presented, and duly considered by the Goldfield's Committee, with the result that Government had promised that no more prosecutions should take place, and he hoped this iniquitous tax was now a thing of the past. It had been promised that £10,000 should be placed on the Estimates next year to aid prospecting, provided the County Council contributed a similar amount, and he was happy to inform them that the amount would be forthcoming, through the indefatigable efforts of the County Chairman. Mr Larnach would not assist the Big Pump; but in the course of an interview with Messrs Mitchelton, Hurst, himself, and others, in Auckland, he promised to give £1000 bonu9 towards Mr La Monte's process, conditional on its successful working for 12 months, and a contract had been entered into for the erection of a furnace here, which would be in full blast in four months, and another at Karangahake in six months' time. He therefore trusted a new era of prosperity was in store for the district. After referring to various other topics, the speaker said he would be happy to answer any questions. He intended leaving for Wellington on Friday, aud on Thursday he would be in attendance at the Borough Council Chambers, to attend to any matters which might be brought under his notice. (Applause). Mr McMinniman asked what the late Parawai Ward case had cost the Borough Council ?—Col. Fraser said it had not cost them anything ; he had always paid even his travelling expenses out of his own pocket.

The same gentleman asked the name of the M.H.R. whose liquor was stopped at Bellamy's, and what Mr Fraser bad done for the farihaka men ?—Col. Fraser said the name of the gentleman referred to was the late Mr Nurse, of the Upper House. He had not done anything for the Parihaka men.

In reply to a question from Mr Alexander re Block 27 tenure, Col. Fraser said there appeared to be some misunderstanding about this matter. Mr Larnach had promised him that a Eoyal Commission would be appointed to take evidence and inquire into the matter. Mr Ord asked for an expression of opinion on Mr Ballance's land scheme, and Col. Fraser said he had no great belief in it. Mr Ballance had a great idea as to Native Committees, but he felt sure they would not work.

Mr Dunlop inquired whether Colonel Fraser would undertake to introduce a short Bill to empower the Mining laspec tor to compel communication to be opened from one mine to another when doing so would not be detrimental to either. At present he had no such power.—He re» plied that he thought the Inspector was now empowered to do so, and if that gentleman only wrote it was necessary he should have such power, it would be granted. Mr Dunlop asked:—"Will you do your utmost to get a sum of money placed on the Estimates for prospecting ?"—Ool. Fraser said most decidedly he would; there was money put on the Estimates last year, but it filtered away. £1000 had been put down, but at most not £300 reached this district.

Mr Crawford moved, and Mr W. D. Reid seconded :—" That this meeting thanka Col. Eraser for his address, and expresses its confidence in him as representative of this city." The resolution was put to the meeting and carried unanimously. Col. Fraser returned thanks for the vote which they had so unanimously passed, and said he would always do his best for the prosperity of the district. A vote of thanks to the Chairman terminated the proceedings.