THE COLONIAL TREASURER.

Auckland Star, Volume XXIV, Issue 291, 8 December 1893, Page 3

THE COLONIAL TREASURER.

DEPUTATIONS TO THE MINISTER-

WAITEMATA COUNTY COUNCIL.

Yesterday atternoon the Hon. J. G. Ward, Colonial Treasurer, received several deputations at bhe Ministers' Rooms, Customhouse Buildings. The Hon. Mr Mibchelaon introduced a deputation from the Waitemata County Council, in reference to a loan of £1,000 known as the Mairetahi loan. They asked, (1) vVhebher Mr Ward would sanction the payment of bhe balance of the loan by £50 a year instead of £100; (2) if the ratepayers of the district, for whose special benefib the money was raised, could borrow, say, £1,000 under the Local Bodies Act, and pay thereout the balance due on the present loan, and spend the remainder in further metalling bhe Mairetahi Road. Mr Ward promised bo look up the matter as Boon as he got to Wellington. CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

A deputation of several gentlemen from the Auckland Chamber of Commerce, headed by Mr Adam Porter, waited on Mr Ward with reference to various matters. As to the appointment of a Deputy Official Assignee, who could act in the absence of the Assignee in Bankruptcy, in Auckland, Mr Ward wired to the Colonial Secretary recommending that Mr 11. Hould be appointed Deputy Assignee, ab once. Mr M. Clark drew bhe abtenbion of the Minister to the anomalies existing in regard to the duties on soft goods ; some materials being allowed in free, while others similar in every respect bub of different patbern paid per centage. Mr Ward promised to look into the matter and to confer with the President of the Warehousemen's Association on his return to Wellington. With reference to the AucklandWellington railway connection, Mr Ward promised that the route of the line from Auckland to Wellington should be fixed nexb session, and that bhe question of the route would be definitely settled. He said he was quite aware of bhe loss Auckland sustained. He undertook thab all publicity should be given to decisions in regard to dutiable goods.

Mr Adam Porter, on' behalf of the Chamber, thanked Mr Ward for the aid he has given in respecb to the 'Frisco mail service, the postal rates, and the reduction in cable rates. Mr Ward in reply said that if he lived and had his way the rates would bo reduc9d very much more.