THE PREMIER.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 9213, 16 April 1908, Page 1

THE PREMIER.

VISIT TO CENTRAL OTAGO

[PkOM OtTB CoRItESPONBENT.] GORE, April 15. After receiving deputations until midnight at Tuapeka Mouth, the Minister of Lands left for Roxburgh on Tuesday morning at six o'clock, meeting the Prime Minister at Beaumont. The party journeyed up the valley of the Molyneux, reaching Roxburgh about five o'clock. Roxburgh is the centre of the Teviot district, and the orchards are splendid. The settlers are very anxious for a railway. At present they have to cart their produce some thirty miles, and the effect, especially on soft fruits, is anything but beneficial. Hundreds of tons of the finest peaches, cherries, apricots, plums, pears and apples grown in New Zealand were grown in and around Roxburgh last year. From a penny to a penny halfpenny per pound all round would pay the fruitgrowers well.. Suitable land is abundant and only a small portion of it is as yet occupied by orchards. Leaving Roxburgh at eight o'clock, the Prime Minister and his party travelled to Tapanui, via Rae's Junction. A deputation of settlers from the Moa Flat Estate met Sir Joseph Ward to ask for the extension of the railway to their district. While Sir Joseph Ward was receiving the deputation the Minister of Lands visited the State nursery. There are over 4,000,000 young trees on this nursery. At present its output is equal to a million and a half per annum, and over a million are to be planted this year. The trees grown comprise larch, alder, pines, oak and spruce. The Oregon pine grows well, but it must be well sheltered. The hardiest pine is the pmus ponderosa, and it is being extensively planted at the Naseby plantation. At Tapanui the Prime Minister was welcomed by a large crowd in the streets. Afterwards a large number of deputations met Sir Joseph in the Borough Council Chambers and brought their many requests under his notice. A banquet, was tendered by the Borough Council to Sir Joseph and his party, and was a very successful function. The Prime Minister left at eight o'clock for Inver car gill, joining the express train at tWaipabi.