Saturday.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XII, Issue 43, 13 February 1885, Page 9

Saturday.

The Hon. the Premier and the Minister of Mines were met 12 miles ifrom Reefton by a large Reception Committee from Beefton, and -escorted to Cronaden. Here a slight hitch occurred, the arrange* meats having been altered at the instance, it would seem, of Mr. O'U >n >r. of Westport. The Ministers were to stop at Cronaden, so as to vi>it Boat ma ns next morning. The Reception Committee .pointed out that this would completely up et the arrangements made in Reefton, where everything was prepared for the arrival of the Ministers. The Ministers seemed prepared to continue the journey, but Mr. O'Connor actively resisted this, and was rather severely •snubbed for his interferenctiCby the Reception Committee, who viewed hie act as insulting to the Committee, the County Chairman, and the ■representatives of . the district. Eventually a , compromise was ■effected, the Hon. Mr. Larnach proceeded to Reefton .and the Premier remaining at Cronaden. The preparations aY Reipfton were on an scale, the State school and other buildings being illuminated.

A band of music and torchlight procession met the Minister of Mines, and preceded his conveyance to the hotel, and the line of march was ablaze with fireworks. On reaching the hotel three cheers were given for the Minister of Mines by the large crowd assembled, and the Hon. Mr. Larnach briefly acknowledged the compliment. He apologised for the absence of the Premier, and hoped that his visit to the district wonld 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 in 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. Yesterday morning the Premier and the Minister of Mines, accbmpanied by the County Chairman and other visitors, proceeded to Boatmans, and inspected the Low-level Tunnel, Welcome battery, and the other principal mines. A fter lunch the Premier addressed those assembled, and expressed himself highly pleased with the reception accorded them. The importance of the mining industry to the Colony was not fully understood or appreciated. After what bad been brought under his notice justice would be done. The Hon. Mr. Larnach and Mr. Seddon also addressed those present, and cheers were given* from the- Premier, the Minister of Mines Mr. Seddon, and Mr. Brennan. The party then returned to Beefton. The Ministers will leave for Greymouth on Sunday morning. M. de Haarven has gone to Waiwera to interview Sir Julius Vogel. He had brought with him from Belgium three silver-mounted fowling pieces for presentation to Tawhaio, Te Tui, and Te Wheoro. Te Wheoro is urging the Kingites not to seek redress at .the hands of the Colonial Government. The Home Government, he said, would do this, and if after six months' grace the Colonial Govern* ment refused to do their duty in the matter, of Mr. Gorst, M.P., would be sent out as a Boyal Commissioner, and the whole management of the Native affairs would be placed in his hands. ' Telegrams are to hand from General Wolesley statin; that the Mahdi has captured Khartoum through the treachery of s >me of Gordon's followers, and that Gordon is probably a prisoner. Further intelligence has been received showing that Khartoum fell on the 26th January. Sir Charles Wilson, with a detachment of the Boyal Sussex Regiment, arrived there by the steamer from Metemheh on the 28th. They found the city occupied by the enemy, and they forthwith retired under a heavy fire from the river banks. The steamer was afterwards wrecked below Shabnkli cataract. All on board were saved, and were landed on an island, from which a steamer was seat to rescue them, Sir Charles Wilson returning to El Metemneh, under a heavy fire from the rebels, who were posted along the banks.