HON. J. M c GOWAN.
THAMES DEPUTATIONS. Y I * /' ''.'V 'V '• THE pumping difficulty. [BY telegraph.—own correspondent.] • •' Thames, Monday. The Thames County Council waited on the Minister for Mines this afternoon, with a view of obtaining additional grants for certain roads and other works in the district. After inquiring carefully into the requirements in each case, Mr. McGowan granted additional assistance Where he considered an increased expenditure was most urgently needed. A deputation from the Borough Council also waited on the Minister, and among other matters asked for a subsidy of £ for £ for removing mining debris that had accumulated in the different creeks. Mr. McGowan agreed to grant tlrem some assistance for this work, but not to the extent required. ** Reference was also made by the Mayor and councillors to the stoppage of the Big j Pump, and the stagnation in trade consequent thereon. j The Minister replied that he had every desire to bring about a settlement of the difficulty, but could . only go as far as the law would allow; him. A request was made that the electric ! light installation in the ; local post office building should be extended so that the street in front could also be illuminated, I and to this Mr. McGowan replied that lie would -represent the matter to his colleague, the Postmaster-General, /with a. view to having the desired improvement carried out. I In the evening a deputation from the Thames United Friendly Societies' Conference, consisting of . Messrs. ■ Foy, Aitken, and McDonald, asked that the stamp duty that had been Imposed on all receipts, etc., in connection with the sick fund of all societies for the last two years should be remitted by means of an amending Act to be introduced next session., In support of their request, they pointed out that for 17 years subsequent to the passing of the Act of 1882 no stamp duty had been levied, but that as the result of a decision given in the English Courts it was then decided by the Commissioner of Stamps . that the Act provided for the imposition of the tax. In reply, Mr. McGowan stated that his fiympathies were entirely with the friendly societies in this matter, and that he «would represent it to the proper quarter on his return to Wellington. A deputation from the Thames Miners' Union was then introduced by the president (Mr. W. H. Potts), who stated that their object in waiting upon the f Minister was to ascertain if any solution could be arrived at with regard to the difficulty at present existing in connection with pumping arrangements. Different members of the deputation pointed out that if steps were not taken in a few days to resume operations fully 65 men would be driven out of the mines by the encroachment of the water, and that some of their number on attempting to resume work this morning had been unable to do so. In reply, Mr. McGowan said he recognised the difficulty, and fully understood their position, but the matter had not yet reached the stage at which the Minister for Mines could interfere, but there 'was no doubt that if the tributers were driven out the ground would not be manned, and he would certainly not allow ground to be held unless it was manned in accordance with the provisions of the Mining Act. The deputation also drew the Minister's attention to a large block of kauri timber in the Waitawheta, Bush, at Karangahake, which they wished to be reserved for mining purposes, to which request Mr. McGowan replied that it had already been .withdrawn from sale, pending the visit of the Minister for Lands to the district, who would then decide on what should be done in the matter.
After bringing one or two other matters before the Minister, the (deputation thanked liim for his courteous reception and replies, and then withdrew. % Mr. McGowan leaves for Auckland by the Wakatere to-morrow afternoon, and will there meet the Thames Drainage Board, and attend to various other matters in connection with the different Departments under his control.
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Bibliographic details
New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 11551, 15 January 1901, Page 5
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681HON. J. McGOWAN. New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 11551, 15 January 1901, Page 5
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