Stratford Deputation at Wellington.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XVIII, Issue 3168, 8 July 1892, Page 2

Stratford Deputation at Wellington.

[special to stab.]

WELLINGTON, July 7. Mr. McGuire, in introducing to the Hon. Mr. McKenzie tbe deputation from Stratford — consisting of Mr. Monkhouse (chairman of Stratford County Council), Mr. Barleyman (secretary of Stratford League), and Messrs. Coutts and Hendy, supported by the following members of the House: Messrs. Thompson (Auckland), R. E. Thompson (.Wbangarei), Houston, Lawry, and Kelly — read apologies from Colonel Fraser, Messrs. Rees, Palmer, and E. M. Smith, who expressed hearty sympathy with the movement, it being a progressive step for the promotion of settlement in a most valuable country, and connecting two communities having natural interests in it.

Mr. Monkhonse said tbe depntation bad been pointedly appointed by the Stratlord County,, at a public meeting held at Stratford on Monday last, for the purpose of bringing under tbe notice of Government tlje great necessity which existed for establishing overlaod comunication between Auckland and Taranaki, and it wan bis business to request the Ministers to procure from Parliament the necessary funds for making the StratfordManganui road available for traffic. He might be permitted to remark that it is an important arterial communication and one which was for the settlement of a large part of the Stratford County and the provincial district of Taranaki; communi' cation with Auckland was a necessity.

There was a general expression of hearty approval on the part of those present on the conclusion of Mr. Monkhouse's remarks.

The Hon. Mr. MoKenzie said that the subjeot brought under his notice was one which had bis entire sympathy, and that he fully recognised the necessity of arterial communication. There was only one difficulty in the way, viz., tbe usual trouble— money. He considered the proposal now put before him of so much importance, that he would obtain from tbe Engineer's department a report on the work and an estimate of tbe cost. He proposed to ask Parliament to vote a sum of from £14,000 to £15,000 for carrying it out.

The reply of the Minister was received with signs of general satisfaction by thoße present.