PRIME MINISTER'S VISIT.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2213, 10 June 1908, Page 2

PRIME MINISTER'S VISIT.

RECEPTION ARRANGEMENTS. The arrangements for the" officii I ecoption of tho Printo 'Munster (6»r rosepii Ward) wore decided upon; at a neeting of the 'East Coast liana ay [joaguo, field .in tlio Borough Counjil Chambers yesterday afternoon, >ver which the Chairman (Mr- J<w»* L'ownloy) presided. A letter was received from Olio Rroirineial Executive'of tho Poverty Buy farmers’ Union enclosing a. copy ot i letter forwarded to tho .Minister or Public Works, respecting tho oompletion of tho Pakihi road, tho payment of tho promised £IOOO subsidy for tho Waihuka Valley road, and tho making of a substantial grant for the more speedy construction of the rauThe Chairman said the League should endorse tho letter 'and givo tho requests all the support it deserved. The roads would feed the railway, and Sir Joseph Ward’s attention should be drawn to the matter. Captain Tucker said the League should impress upon Sir Joseph Ward the •urgency of completing the line as far as Rakauroa, as after that had been done thero was no great urgenCi The Secretary, reported that the expense of entertaining the Hon. James McGowan and Carrol) amounted to £ll ,S S . including hire of thaitro £5, hire of carriage, lunch, and adver-

tising. The Mayor reported that a committee meeting of the Borough .Council bad been hold, when it was decided to join with the Railway League in Welcoming 'Sir Joseph Ward and to hire tllic theatre for tho evempg. Ho had .also talked dlie matter over with Mr. Carroll and Mr. Day, and it was proposed that the special trlain should cave at 11.30 a.m. for Waikohu on Saturday, a light luncheon to bo provided on the ground, and to return at 2.30 p.m., arriving at Gisborne by about 4 o’clock. There will be free carriages for the members of the local '.bodies and League, but the public would 'lie charged excursion fares. By these arrangements the ordinary traffic would’ not bo interfered with. ' The Secretary said ihe would endeavor to arrange that the train will stop at. all stations. •Mr. LySnar’s suggestion was adapted.

The President (Mr. Townley). the Mayor, and the Hon. Captain Tucker were appointed to meet the Prime Minister on his arrival. A short discussion took place .as to what should be .provided at the luncheon at Waikolni, and it was decided not to provide intoxicating liquors, but that all arrangements bo left to Messrs Webb, Warren, Robinson, and Caudill. THE PROGRAMME. The following J 6 the programme of the reception as it will ho carried out: Deputations in itlhe morning. At 11 30 the Prime Minister and party will leave % special train for Waikohu to officially open tho railway, returning to Gisborne at about 4 p.m. . At 8 o'clock Sir Joseph Ward will deliver a pre-sessional .address in His Majesty’s Theatre, at which the Mayor (Mr. W. D. Lysirnr) will preside. - On Sunday the Prime Minister will return to Wellington.