DEPUTATIONS TO MINISTERS.

Press, Volume L, Issue 8485, 17 May 1893, Page 6

DEPUTATIONS TO MINISTERS.

Yesterday the Hon. J. McKenzie was interviewed by the Mayor of Christchurch, Messrs Whiting and Barnett on the subject of the land available for settlement in the EUesmere district. The deputation was introduced by Mr R. M. Taylor, M.H.R. The Minister stated that an offer had been made to the Selwyn County Council of a sum ot money sufficient to do the work which was required, aud also of a reserve as an endowment for tho maintenance of the work.

During yesterday also several deputations waited on the Hon. W. P. Reeves, who is remaining in Christchurch until Friday. The first of these was from the Sydenham School Committee, with reference to the present system of electing members of the Board of Education. Messrs J. L. Scott and E. Jones formed the deputation, aud poiuted out that the towu schools were outvoted by the small country schools. The Minister, whilst admitting the effect of the .system, could not see how the matter could be altered. In reply to a request from the deputation, Mr Reeves ptomised to endeavour to get a more liberal vote for school buildings put on the Estimates this year. A deputation from the Knights of Labour Rawhiti Assembly had au interview with the Minister on the subject oi the unemployed, as also did one from the Lib.tal Association.

The Minister met several of the unemployed later aud explained the intentions of the Labour Bureau.

A deputation from the Waltham School had au interview with Mr Reeves on the subject of extra buildings which are urgently needed at the school.

Messrs Taylor, M.H.R., J. Joyce, M.H.R., aud E. 'G. Wright, M.H.R., accompanied the deputation. A lengthy conversation ensued, the deputation strongly urging that tire case of the Waltham scnool was an exceptional one. It was showu, that the school opened with 324 children and that there were now 494 on the roll, with 444 iv average attendance. The Minister, in reply, said that £1000 had already been advanced to the Boatd of Education, and he would try and get the estimates for education passed by Parliament aud then he would advance the Board another £1000.