DEPUTATIONS.

Evening Star, Issue 6263, 12 April 1883, Page 2

DEPUTATIONS.

THE NORTH-EAST YALLEY BRIDGE. A deputation representing the Borough of North-east Valley waited on the Colonial Treasurer this morning with referenae to the bridge on tho main road through the Municipality. There were present—the Mayor of the Borough (Mr Green), Crs Hislop and Schotel, Messrs M. W. Green, M.H.E., H, Driver, M.H.K., and T, Fergus, M.H.R. Mr M, W. Green briefly introduced the deputation, The Mayoe said the object of the deputation was to bring under the Minister's notice the fact that the bridge In question is in a very dangerous condition, and to ask his assisi&nco in the matter. He might state that the municipality had already applied to the Government for assistance under the Koads and Bridges Construction Act, but it turned out that ; by a mistake they had done so under the wrong section of the Act. They now wished the Minister to so use his influence with the Government that their application might be amended so as to come under section 32 of the Act and be dealt with at once. The bridge was in a very unsafe state for traffic, and no time should be lost in rebuilding it, or a serious accident might occur. The municipality were prepared to find : oue-fourth of the money for the work, as required by the Act, Mr Liinvuß suggested that the Minister Bhould deal with the matter as an extraordinary payment, which ho had power to do under the Act. The bridge was beiDg patched up ftora day to day, but was so far gone as to be incapable of repair—in fact, so bad was its condition that many passengers in the tram-cars got out before reaching it, and walked across in preference to riding over it. Mr Fergus spoke in a similar strain, and added that it seemed a pity tLat the municipality should suffer through a slight technical error in the form of their application. Mr Hislop drew attention to the fact that the bridge is also too narrow for the requirements of the traffic. Major Atkinson said that as he understood it the application had been made in good faith, but was technically wrong ; that was a matter which the Government would probably overlook, bat they must not, however, go outride the Act. Tho object of that Act was to do away with all the.e special votes, and, therefore, it was only under certain conditions that grants were made. This bridge appeared to have been erected on a made road, and could not, therefore, come under that provision of the Act which allowed grants to be made towards the erection of bridges on unmade roads. If the Government granted to a member on their side of the House a sum for such a bridge as this, j they would be accused of doing a job. ! Mr Driver pointed out that the members present were mostly Oppositionists of the i deepest dye. Major Atkinson : Exactly; in that case we should be accused of buying Opposition votes. I have no doubt that if this bridge were granted, and Mr Green should during next session vote on our Bide, as he possibly may, that gentleman would be accused of having sold his vote for this bridge. Mr M. W. Grken : Oh, but you must remember that Mr Dick and I have each half of the district. Major Atkinson said the application appeared to be in reference to a bridge on a made road. In that case the municipality were not entitled to a grant of money. All they could get was a loan from Government, which would be granted to them on very easy terms—namely, at 4 per cent, for fifteen years, with a sinking fund of 5 per cent. He thought he could promise that the Government would, under the circumstances, allow the application to bo amended and lend them the money. The municipality muat, however, fjrst hold a poll of the ratepayers, and strike a special rate as security to the Government. The Mayor : We were informed that if we found a quarter of the money we were entitled to a grant of the remainder. If it was a fact that there must be this delay, the bridge would be down about their ears before they could get the loan. He thought the best thing would be for tho municipality to leave the Government alone, and rebuild the bridge themselves. Major Atkinson : It is a pity you left the matter bo late. You must not blame the Government for the condition of the bridge—iliac is quite your own business. If the matter is so pressing I can telegraph at once to the Minister of Works and get the matter set about without delay. I wiil let you know the reply as soon as it arrives. The deputation agreed that tMs would be the course to adopt, and thanked the hon. gentleman for the ready manner in which he had tendered his assistance. THE CUSTOMS TARIFF. A deputation, representing the soft-goods warehousemen of Dunedin, waited upon the Hon. Major Atkinson this afternoon for the purpose of bringing under the attention of the Government the ambiguity of the present tariff on soft goods, It was shown that certain goods when imported for one purpose were admitted free, while if imported for another purpose duty was charged upon them, and that so many materials were made of different grades between non dutiable and dutiable goods that great inconsistencies occurred in administering the tariff. Goods that at one time were admitted free, at another timo had duty charged upon them, and similar inconsistencies occurred at the different ports of the Colony ; duty being charged upon goods at one port which at another wero admitted duty tree. The object of the deputation was to have the difficulties in connection with the present ambiguous tariff removed, so that the passing of entries might be simplified and tho difficulties and inconsistencies referred to removed. Major Atkinson gave the deputation his assurance that he would favorably consider tbe matter.