THE MINISTER FOR PUBLIC WORKS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVII, Issue 11537, 23 November 1900, Page 6

THE MINISTER FOR PUBLIC WORKS.

DEPUTATION FROM CITY COUNCIL. The Hon. W. Hall-Jones, Minister for Public Works, was at the Government Buildings yesterday conducting Departmental business and receiving deputations.

The Mayor (Mr. D. Goldie), Mr. A. Kidd, and the town clerk (Mr. H. W. Wilson) waited on the Minister to represent to him certain matters in which the Government and the Auckland City Council are mutually interested.

The Mayor first brought forward the question of Mechanics' Bay sewer. He stated that if the Government had given a pledge some time ago that the subsidy would be given for this work the Council could have had the work well in hand. But the subsidy was only recently announced, and as it lapsed at March 31 if then unexpended, the Council would have to rush the work through tc get advantage of it. If they rushed the work through it would cost a good deal more as both bricks and bricklayers were difficult to get. The Council wished the Government subsidy to be available after March 31. The Minister, in reply,' acknowledged that the application was reasonable, and said he would undertake to see that the money was paid if the contract was finished in six months. He assumed that the City Council would be letting the contract within a month. Mr. Kidd said the Minister's undertaking was quite satisfactory, as it was absolutely necessary in any event that the work be done during the summer. Mr. Goldie next drew attention to the question of widening High-street. He stated that the Government had consented to give the city Bft opposite the Magistrate's Court Buildings, but they now found they wanted 12ft to make the street a uniform width right along to Victoria-street. The Minister said he would look at the street, and if he found that the building would not be affected he would endeavour to grant the request. The Mayor also asked the Minister to reserve certain lands at the head of the Mangatawhiri streams, which are regarded as the source of Auckland's next water* supply. The Minister asked that the matter be dealt with by correspondence with Wellington, and promised to look into the matter when the locality of the lands was precisely indicated to him.

In the afternoon Mr. Hall-Jones, accompanied by Mr. G. Fowlds, M.H.R., and Mr. Witheford, M.H.R., visited the Post Office, where the Minister ordered some improvements. He also visited the High-street properties referred to by the deputation from the City Council, and the old police station in Chancery Lane (accompanied by Inspector Cullen), ' which Mr. Fowlds urged should be abolished, and provision made for the whole of the police department in the new building in O'Rorke-street. Government House and grounds were also inspected during the afternoon.

The North Island Main Trunk Railway League applied for an interview with the Minister, and the reply came to Mr. R. R. Hunt, the secretary, that "the Hon. Mr. Hall-Jones will have pleasure in meeting your league before ha leaves Auckland, but having so many engagements already he is unable at present to fix a definite time, but will communicate with you again later on. '

The Minister leaves early this morning on a visit of inspection to the Kaipara railway, returning to-morrow.