DEPUTATIONS TO THE PREMIER.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XIX, Issue 6310, 7 February 1882, Page 6

DEPUTATIONS TO THE PREMIER.

♦ COROMANDEL MATTERS. i Messks. A. J. Cadman, M.H.R., F. Woollams, R. F. Luks, D. McPherson, and T. Carina, members of the Coromandel County Council, waited on the Premier yesterday, in reference to a number of matters concerning the Coromandel district. Messrs. McPherson and Carina represent the Mercury Bay Riding in the Council. HOSPITAL SUBSIDY. Mr. Cadman said that Coromandel was exceptionally situated in the matter of the hospital subsidy. The township had a hospital of its own, and it was thought unfair to deduct £125 from the county subsidy in aid of the Auckland Provincial District Hospital. There had been correspondence with the Government on the subject. The Hon. Mr. Hall said, not being in possession of the facts, he could not give the deputatioua satisfactory explanation. Would they tell him the reasons given by the Colonial Secretary, in whose department the matter was ? ' Mr. Cadmak said the reason given was that ,aU. counties should contribute alike; felt by t&rrtSffW&l I*. was contribute to the support of another. Mr. Hall said the plan generally adopted was that when a locality provided for its own hospital and charitable aid, the GovernI ment contributed pound for pound with the locality, and did not make any deduction from the subsidy, but where, but in the case of a district not providing for its own hospital and charitable aid, the Government paid the amount out of the consolidated fund, and deducted the amount from the subsidy. He did not know the circumstances in this case, or the reasons the Government had for adopting a different course. Mr. Cadman pointed out that it was necessary to maintain a hospital at Coromandel, being a timber aud mining district, where severe accidents were likely to happen at any moment. Mr. Hall said he could not give a satisfactory explanation without making himself acquainted with the circumstances of the case. He would make inquiries, and bring the matter before the Colonial Secretary, and go into it with him. RECREATION RESERVE. Mr. Cadmax said he had written some time ago asking the Government to have the recreation reserve vested in the County Council. Tho Council was told that a Domain Board should be appointed. The Council agreed, and the Board was appointed. At present the Board had no money, and were unable to fence in the reserve or utilise it. If the reserve had been given to the Council, it would have seen its way to utilise the land, Mr. Hall inquired if funds could be raised from the reserve. Mr. Cadman said it was a reserve of 10 or 20 acres, and if it were fenced in money could be raised from it.

Mr. Hall said he was afraid the Government had no funds for the purpose. In some districts the Jcounties made grants for such an object. There was a small vote for the purpose of acclimatising rare trees aud plants. This vote was not, however, available for any other purpose, aud had been distributed among the four principal Domain Boards of the colony. He should think if the County Council had any funds to spare it would help the Board. Mr. Cadjian replied that the county had no funds to spare. After some further remarks, Mr. Hall said the Government had no funds that could be devoted to the assistance of the Domain Board. JUSTICE OP THE PEACE. Mr. Cabman urged the necessity of the appointment of a justice of the peace residin at Mercury Bay. He had already written twice to the Government on the subject. Mr. Hall replied that he had would communicate with the Minister of Justice, and find out how the matter stands. He would let Mr. Cadman know if there was any difficulty in the way. ROCK-DRILL. Mr. Cadman requested the use of the Government rock-drill in the Coromandel district. Mr. Hall replied that he would write to Mr. Rollestou, Minister of Mine 3, who would be visiting Aucklaud shortly. Mr. Rolleston would then be able to give them an answer when he arrived in Auckland. A certain fixed sum, sufficient to pay for the working expenses, would have to be paid for the use of the rock-drill. Another rock-drill had been ordered by the Government. COROMANDEL WHARF. Mr. Cadman said the County Council wished some assistance from the Government to aid them in repairing the wharf,

which was in a very dilapidated state, and might be destroyed by any gale. Mr. Hall enquired what would be the cost of repairing tho wharf.

Mr. Oadman said he would like if Mr. r Hall permitted Mr. Hales, District Engineer to look at it and report. Mr. Hall said he would aafc Mr. Hales to go to Coromandel as soon as he could, and report on the matter.

MAIN ROADS. Mr. Cadsian said tho three main road's needed repairs. The roads were iu a dangerous state, and several bridges were required. The roads ho alluded to were from Coromandel to the Thames, Coromandel to Tairua, and Coromandel to Port Charles. Mr. Hall said he thought he would be able to give something out of the balance of the vote for this purpose—is was not a large balance—but probably he could spare £500. HARATAUNGA AND TIKI BLOCKS.

Mr. CADJtAy said the deputation would arge upon the Government the advisablenes3 of purchasing some of tho native land in the district—for instance, the Kennedy Bay or Harataunga block, and the Tiki block. Mr. Hall replied that the Native Minister would bo in Auckland in a few daj's more. He would tell the Native Minister what had been represented to him. If Mr. Bryce was unable to visit Coromandel, the deputation could see him in Auckland. TELEPHONE. Mr. Cadjian said the telephone was required between Coromaudcl and Whangapoua, Mercury Bay, and Tairua, distant from Coromandel nine, niueteen, and thirty-seven miles respectively. He believed the various saw-mill companies would provide the necessary guarantee. Mr. Hall promised to write to the Post-master-General about the matter, and see what he could do. j FORESHORE. Mr. Cadman said the County Council had written to the Government some time ago, askingthat the foreshore should he vested iu the County Council, in order that the Council might make a reclamation. They received a reply recommending the appointment o£ a Harbour Board. A communication was then forwarded to the Government stating that at present, at Coromandel, a Harbour Board was out of the question. Mr. Hall said, in this matter it would he necessary to get the sanction of the House. HOSPITAL ENDOWMENT. It was stated by a member of the deputation that a communication had been forwarded to the Government, requesting this block to be sot aside as an endowment for the hospital. Mr. Hall replied that the sanction of Parliament would have to be obtained before this could be done.

The deputation then withdrew