DEPUTATION.

Waipa Post, Volume VI, Issue 288, 10 February 1914, Page 2

DEPUTATION.

KAWHIA TELEPHONE. Messrs. Wallace and Warburton asked that the Minister would see that the telephone line tween Kawhia and Te Awamutu was erected with as little delay as possible. It was pointed out that the Te Awamutu Chamber of Commerce had provided a sufficient financial guarantee as required by the Department over 12 months ago, and the needof direct communication was being more and more felt.

The Minister, replying, pointed out that delay had been caused through the scarcity of material, but he would ascertain what had been done, and advise the Town Board and Chamber of Commerce accordingly.

DUPLICATION OF AUCKLANDKING COUNTRY LINES.

The same gentlemen urged that the Minister would further consider the request made to him at the time of his last visit that the duplication of the line between Auckland and Hamilton be extended to the King Country. Congestion of business on the present single wire was responsible for many tiresome delays, which hampered the transaction of business.

Further inquiries will be made, and, if practicable, the request complied with.

BANQUET TO MR RHODES

On Saturday evening a banquet was given in honor of the visit of the Hon. R. H. Rhodes to Te Awamutu. The function took place at the Te Awamutu Hotel, and_was attended by about 60 residents. The repast supplied by Mr J. Jackson was an excellent one. and reflected the greatest credit on all concerned..

The toast of " The King" having been drunk with musical honours, the chairman (Mr A. S. Wallace) rose to propose the toast of the Hon. R. H. Rhodes, Postmaster-General. In doing so he referred to the large amount of work required o( Ministers, who, he considered vere overworked. He quoted the late R. J. Seddon as an instance, and at the present time Mr Massey was recovering from an illness as the result of a long and strenuous session of Parliament. He a warm welcome to the Minister, who he trusted would again pay a visit to Te Awamutu at no very distant elate.

On rising to respond the Hon. Mr Rhodes was greeted with applause. In thanking them, he said it gave him great pleasure to visit a farming district such as Te Awamutu, being interested in farming himself. He noted with pleasure the great progress that had been made even since he last visited Te Awamutu. He regretted to hear of the illness of the president of the Chamber of Commerce (Mr W. N. von Sturmer), who had been largely instrumental in helping to provide Te Awamutu with a. town clock. In referring to the generosity of Mr Taylor, he said he hoped that many more such liberal-minded citizens would be found in Te Awamutu. The' district must be a contented one, as he had only received one deputation that afternoon. No doubt, he said all j their wants had been made known to the Hon. W. Fraser, and he' hoped that gentleman would be able to grant all the requests put to him. He would, at least, have answered all requests diplomatically (laijghter), as he was a cautious, sound man, and had the wishes of the back-block settlers at heart. What he did promise could be relied upon. h\ speaking of the Tourist Department, which he represented, he said the tourist resorts could not be neglected. They were the means of attracting a great many people to the Dominion, who during their stay, helped to considerabiy-in-crease the revenue. It was his intention to further develop the Health Resorts so tar as was reasonably possible. Another department under his charge was that of Mental Hospitals. When lie took office he found a most cumbersome legacy in the form of overcrowded institutions. • The erection of the buildings at Tokanui had been undertaken with the object of relieving overcrowding in the other centres. At the present time the Department was considering plans for additional buildings a.t Tokanui. All the unoccupied land would in time be required, and he urged upon his hearers not to petition the Government to have it cut up. The land would be properlv utilised. In speaking of the forthcoming election, he advised the Government supporters to prepare for the next fight. This would be necessary, as the-Op-position were preparing for a campaign. They could all do a little by assisting their mernber, Mr J. A. Young, and judging by the reception accorded him that day ■ he was certain »he had a strong, following (applause). However, he advised them to ; ] 1 j " 1

take nothing for granted, and he instanced the case of the late Sir W. Russell. He hoped they would have a visit from both Mr Massey and Mr Herries at a moderately early date. MrJ. A. Young, M.P., in proposing the toast of “ Local Bodies,” said that a great work was being done for the community by the local bodies, who very often were adversely criticised. He referred to The chairman of the Town Board as being well suited to the position he held. The people of Te Awamutu were

to be congratulated on their desire to form a borough, and he hoped that the people would elect Mr Wallace as their first Mayor. (Applause). Mr Teasdaie, whose name was coupled with the toast, had been a long and faithful servant, who had clone good work for the local bodies which he has represented. Mr Cavanagh had also proved a useful man as chairman of the Rangiaohia Road Board. Reference was also made to the good work done by the local Chamber of Commerce, and regret expressed at the illness of the president. The vicepresident, the speaker said, was a great worker, and did a great deal of good work for the community when the majority of people were in bed. He was glad to hear the remarks passed by the Minister, in alluding to the small-pox epidemic, of the valuable service rendered to the Department by the postmaster, Mr Stewart. He endorsed all that had been said by Mr Rhodes, as he had personally noted Mr Stewart's successful efforts to stay the spread of the disease. I The Chamber of Commerce was militant, active, and useful. Its purpose was to awaken and keep awake an interest in alt puhlic matters, and as a public man he regarded such institution not a: a hindrance, but rather as a use Tul and welcome body to assis l forward any progressive movement.

Mr A. S. Wallace, in replying, said the work in connection wit': local bodies was an important one. He instanced the work in connection with the Town Board, which had increased to a large extent during the last few years. To be a member of a local body was a good education to any young man, and he urged the younger men of the district to come forward and do their share for the local government of their districts. He paid a tribute to the clerk of the Board he represented (Mr D. Bockett), and referred briefly to the constitution of the borough. In this connection he made special reference to the recent stir about the proposed boundaries and emphasised the fact that the boundaries determined upon were not fixed by the petitioners but by commissioners who were appointed by the Government to consider local conditions.

Mr J. B. Teasdaie made reference to Ms early association on local bodies. It had always been his desire to do his best for whatever body he represented. (Applause). It was better that they should differ in opinions. They knew him to be still one of the Liberal party, and as long as they carry out the great liberal principles near to his heart, they could rely on his support. He referred to the difficulties under which the County Council worked, and he thought the Government should remove the restriction of £SOOO. They had to'maintain roads to carry the traffic of the outside districts. /Mr W. F. Stewart said he was pleased that the Te Awamutu Chamber of Commerce had been classified among " local bodies." He considered it only right that unofficial bodies should receive some recognition, because the work done was generally voluntary. In speaking of the president of the Chamber of Commerce, Mr Stewart said no one would have' been more welcomed that evening than Mr von Sturmer —■ (applause)—and he hoped it would not be long before he was again occupying the position he so ably filled as president. Mr Stewart referred to the part taken by the Te Awamutu Chamber of Commerce in regard to level crossings. The toast of " Parliament" was proposed by Mr H. Jary, who said that the present Government required no praise, as its work would speak for itself. He honestly thought they would be returned with a substantial majority.

In responding Mr Young, M.P., referred to the way obstacles were placed in the way of the Government by the Opposition to obstruct the work of the Government, and showed the folly of the party system. Despite the opposition the Government was able to place several good measures upon the Statute Book. While the function of the State was to lend to local bodies, it was their dutyto see that the settlers in the backblocks received failtreatment, as it was these people who laboured under the greatest difficulties. He made special reference to the action of the former administration in making large loans to the wealthy bodies on the outskirts of the cities on the eve of the last elections which was to the detriment of the State. The Hon. R. H. Rhodes proposed the health of Mr Wm. Taylor, and ia doing so said that there are some citizens who recogrfiae their 4 ut y as citizens who are both willing and able to give. Of these Mr Taylor is an example.

Mr Taylor made a suitable repfv* Before dispersing the health of Mr and Mrs Jackson was drunk with musical honours. .During the evening songs were contributed by Messrs J. A. Young, M.P., and J. Archibald. Mr E. Moeller contributed a violin solo. Mr G. Dalton officiated at the piano.