The Prime Minister.

Waikato Argus, Volume XXXIV, Issue 5325, 4 June 1913, Page 2

The Prime Minister.

* At Frankton. ELECTRIC AND WATER SYSTEMS OPENED. THE OFFICIAL LUNCHEON. After concluding deputations at the Hamilton Town Hall, yesterday, the Premier proceeded to the Frankton power station, where Mr If. J. Fenn described the machinery and the method of distributing electricity. He also explained the use of the accumulator to the Premier. Mr F. B. Jolly. Mayor of Frankton, said that the Borough > ouncil had for some lime been working in the direction of an adequate light and water supply, and their labours had at last been successful. T hey felt very proud to have the Prime Minister with them and regretted that his visit could not be a longer one.

In reply Mr Massey said that he would like to have stayed longer, but his engagements rendered this absolutely impossible. He took it that it was a red-letter day in the history of the borough district of Frankton. Travelling constantly up and down the Main Trunk line as he did he was very interested in observing the progress of the towns along the route; none had been more progressive than Frankton. It seemed only a few years ago when what was now a borough district had been a swamp. In addition to the inauguration of water and electrical schemes, the progressive policy of . the board had been shown by street works and town planning. He knew something about machinery and desired to congratulate Mr Fenn upon the efficiency of that which he had just been inspecting. He was always interested in watching the gradual development of a town. As a rule the first building erected was an accommodation house; then a blacksmith’s shop appeared, followed in turn by a store. The next sign of progress was usually a post and telegraph office. Then more tradesmen erected shops and a public hall was built, the latter generally being used, hj 1 was glad to say, not only for amusement but for Divine service. The last evidence of progress was the conversion of the district into a borough with a Mayor and corporation. He was sure that Frankton was not going to stop there. It was an important junction from which railways radiated in the direction of Auckland and Wcllnglon via the Main Trunk and down to the Thames Valley, Rotorua, and the Hot Lakes district. The town was indeed a magnificent centre and he was not sure whether Frankton would end by becoming a suburb of Hamilton or whether Hamilton would become a suburb of Frankton. (Laughter and applause). Hamilton had been called the huh of the Waikato and he considered that it was also the huh of the Auckland provincial distict. He knew of no centre where the outlook was so good as that in which he stood. He hoped that flic people of Frankton and IlamIj I ton would combine their towns and form a city. The speaker’s opinion was that the time was coming when they would have a total imputation of 20,000. The capital value of Frankton borough five years ago was £86,275; now it was £343.286, an increase of £257,011. The electric plant had cost £7873, and additional liabilities had been incurred to the extent of £IOOO, making a total of £8873. He believed they would find that the money had been wisely expended. The Premier then called upon Mr Fenn to start the machinery. THE WATER TOWER

The party then adjourned to the Water Tower, where the Premier started the machinery, forcing the water from the bore into the surface tank, and thence into the lower, Mr Suggate, water works engineer, presented Mr Jolly with a gold key with which he unlocked the door of the tower. OFFICIAL LUNCHEON. The next item on the programme was an official luncheon given at the Empire Hotel. The Mayor of 1-rank-ton. Mr F. Jolly, presided, and the usual toast of “The King" having been honoured he proposed “Our Guest.” He said that they were very proud to have Mr Massey among them that dav.

The Premier, in reply, thanked them for the enthusiastic manner in which they had drunk the toast. He had been much interested in inspecting the water supply, especially ns the spring which was the source of it had been discovered by his old friend Kev. Mason, of Otaludui. He thought that something should be done to recognise Mr Mason's valuable services in this connection. Seeing the Imre had made him wonder whether it was worth while reserving catchment areas when they might have a good supply at their doors. It he were ever able to assist them through their able and energetic members, Messrs Young and Bollard, he would be only too glad lo do so. (Applause). On behalf of Mr Fenn lie then presented the Mayor, Mr Jolly, with a reading lamp, and the ex-chairman of the Town Board, Mr C. Allen, with a toasting machine. He proposed the healths of the recipients, who resjionded suitably. Mr Allan proposed the health of Mr Suggate, water works engineer, in responding Mr ,Suggate said that Frankton was one of the first towns in the Dominion, and indeed in the world, to adopt the compressed air system. The lower was also unique in being the first of its kind in the Dominion.

Mr Ellis pro|ioßefl the health of Mr Fenn, the latter responding suitably. The Mayor of Hamilton, Mr A. E. Manning, proposed "Frankton Borough.” He did not think that any borough in New Zealand had grown so fast. He assured Mr Jolly his willingness to work in with him to help Frankton along. (Applause). Hamiltonians regarded Frankton as a little brother, but also as a sturdy little beggar laughter)- and these little beggars sometimes grew up, and they wanted to work in with Frankton. Mr Jolly responded shortly to the toast. A RECREATION RESERVE WANTED,

After the luncheon a deputation, headed by Mr Frank Jolly, re-opened the question of granting the rifle range as a recreation reserve. If it were so granted the Frankton Borough would be perfectly willing to allow it to be used at any time for mobilisation purposes or as a site for military camps. If the Premier could not see his way to giving them the whole area perhaps he would give part of it. Mr Massey said the dillicully was that he was not Defence Minister. The piece of land in question was under the control of the Defence Department and judging by the reply he received when he approached the Minister about it before, the Department was determined not to part with it. However, he did not see why they could not work in with the Defence Department. lie thought this ought to be done, and he as Minister for Lands would be very glad to co-operate with them. He would submit the proposal to the Defence Department.

On the way hack to Hamilton the Maeroa Estate was traversed. This estate has been offered to the Government as a site for municipal dwellings at the Government valuation I'lso per acre. Mr Massey made notes of his inspection, and will consider the matter on his return to Wellington.