CONFERENCE WITH THE THAMES COUNTY COUNCIL.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIII, Issue 8, 10 January 1902, Page 5

CONFERENCE WITH THE THAMES COUNTY COUNCIL.

(By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.)

THAMES, this day,

The representatives of the Thames County Council held a conference with Mr McGowan to-day regarding the various votes passed, and but temporarily withheld, and also about the requirements of the district. The votes of the Mines and Lands Departments were taken seriatim. A selection of the most important works up to close on four thousand was made, and the Minister promised that authority would be obtained at once for these, and portions less important later on. He explained the reason for the curtailment of the expenditure already detailed, and urged the Council to let as many small contracts as possible, so as to provide, employment for men out of work. The "matter of the Piako block was brought before him. He recognised the urgency of the work, and said that his opinion was that the lane must first be drained. He would represent the matter to the Minister for Lands, and endeavour to have the work gone on with. He controverted the statement made in the press that the North Island had suffered compared with the votes for the South. Justice had been done to the requirements of the districts without fear or favour. The Minister was thanked for his courtesy and consideration, and the Council withdrew.