from oub own correspondent. Havelock, Nov. 22. ' The visit recently paid us by tfye Hon. Mr Ballanoe, Native Minister, may cer tainly, from a political point of view, be regained as an important one. JIo ar*- rived here on Friday qt 3 p.m., accom panied by his Secretary, Mr Lewis, Pro fessor Kirk, and Mr MoKerrow. Suitable {>roparationsjwere made to receive Mr Bal ance, for outstretched across the street from the Masonic Hotel to Litchfield’s store were the words “ Welcome! This is the Balance due to Us,—Rai Valley Railway and Wharf Extension, Roads to Mabakipawa and Tua Marina.” An address was read to him by Mr J. 11. Smith, Chairman of the Havelock Town Board, with which the hon. gentle man appeared much satisfied. In the evening Mr Ballanoe received a deputation in the Town Hall from the Maoris, and through Mr Lewis, who acted as interpreter, their wants became known. In reply a little sensible advice was given the Natives —namely, the ad visability of being more temperate in their habits, and to learn to help them selves. *

Subsequently Mr Ballance recoived an other deputation in the Town Board O fioe, consisting of Messrs Brownlee, C. H. Mills, J. H. Reynolds and others. Mr Mills was the principal speaker. He commenced by referring te the local requirements of tiie district—and the want of railway communication. That many years since a sum of £27.000 had been voted for a tramway to open up the Rai Valley; that we had but recently agitated to have communication with Nel son and Blenheim by railway, out success, and were at present depen dant on private enterprise; and that, now the Government had proclaimed such a ' large tract of bush land under the State Forests’ Act, it was advisable to make arrangements with Messrs Brownlee and Co. for purchasing their interest in the present tramway, and thus extend it for the public good, which would put facilities of in the way those who were engaged in the saw-milling industry); the land, then being increased in value, would amply repay the cost of outlay. 