THE PREMIER'S VISIT.

Marlborough Express, Volume XXXV, Issue 291, 16 December 1901, Page 4

THE PREMIER'S VISIT.

DEPUTATIONS FROM LOCAL

BODIES

The Premier was occupied on Friday last in receiving a number of deputations which waited on him in the Borough Council Chambers. The Hon. C. H. Mills introduced each deputation. The following is the concluding portion of our report of the proceedings :— IAXVMR WA.IRAU KIVJSR. BOARD. Mr J. B. Rayner, as an old member of the Board, referred to the Opawa relief channel and the immense amount of benefit it had been to the district, aud on behalf of the Board thanked tho Premier for the acfcioii he had taken in a3si:itiiiK them to carry out the work by a Government grant. Amongst other matters he mentioned the Government valuation of the lands immerliately effected by the relief channel banks had increased by £16,000. If lie could find time to do so the Board wished lam to see the work that had been carried .ou*.

Mr Scott, chairman of the Board, asked that run 111, Waihopai, might be vested in the Board. It was needed for river conservation works. A very grave danger was threatening at this point, whereby the whole of their work might be nullified, and the Board wished to have the means of control by it. A report on the subject was being made by the Government Engineer,

In answer to the Premier he said the run was leased for £36 per annum, and the lease still had five years to run.

The Premier said he would be pleased to view the relief works, and was glad to learn they had been successful and of so much benefit to the district. He hoped those most directly benefited are paying to the Board for that benefit. The law would not allow of the ruu being vested in the Board. If they could not come to terms with the lessee, and if the Hon. Mr Mills looked after the matter, it might be included in the " Washing-up Bill" at the end of the session. He, however, would advise that a Bill be prepared for the Board to take power to arrange with the lessee of the run and to take it for river conservation purposes. If that course were pursued he could give them the promise of the Government's assistance in obtaining it, AWATERE KOAD UOAKD. Mr S. M. Neville, Chairman of the Awatere Road Board, said his Board had two very long arterial main roads to maintain out of their funds, which were already overdrawn £800, and they found it difficult to get along. J list lately they had handed over to them many miles of roads on the Starborough and Blind River estates which would need to be ~kept in repair, and on the latter estate they had to make a great distance of roads, as it was yet practically roadless. "With difficulty they had got tracks to most of the holdings on the estate, but a further expenditure of £400 was needed, In anticipation of Government assistance the Board had already expended £150, and they asked that this might be refunded them and a further grant given them.

Mr Griffiths, in further explanation, said they had expended the £150, having anticipated a grant of £350, to be expended through the Lands and Survey Department, but found it was not put on the estimates. In reply to the Premier he said the Board were never promised any grant.

The Premier said Government could not recoup the £150, as the.auditor would not pass the item even if put on the estimates. He recognised the call there was on the Board to provide and keep in repair new roads on the settlements, and on his return to Wellington us would see the Hon. J. Duncan and ascertain what »could be done in the matter.

By-Law Case.—At the Magistrate's Court this morning Frank Elliot "was charged with hawking goods in the Borough without having taken out a hawker's license. He pleaded guilty, and Messrs R. McCallum, Macey and R. D. Nosworthy J.'sP., who were on the Bench inflicted a tine of Is with costs.

Shooting,—The first stage of the Fowler Cup was fired on Friday morning. There was a heavy wind blowing, which prevented good shooting. There were 30 competitors, and Sergt. Hammond headed the list with a score of 00, with Capt. Poison second. The range was 200 yards kneeling, 7 shots. The second stage will be fired on Tuesday morning.