DEPUTATIONS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 4029, 16 January 1875, Page 3

DEPUTATIONS.

Two deputations watted on His Honour the Superintendent yesterday morning, one from Awamoko, and the other from Queenstown. THE AAVAMOKO DISTRICT TRAMWAY. The deputation from Awamoko, which consisted of Messrs Borton and French, waited on His Honour to request the Government to finish the Awamoko Tramway before the harvest would be over. They asked His Honour not to be influenced by the small number composing the deputation, as others had promised to attend, but, from some cause, had failed to appear. A road had been made for the purpose of enabling farmers to bring down their grain, but half of this road had been taken by the Government for the railway. The road was now in averyimperfect state, and if the tramway were not made, there was, so far as they could see, no means of getting produce to market.

His Honour said he did not have any reason to suppose that the tramway would not be ready long before the main line would be. :'.-

Mr Bobtojt thought it would not be so. The main line would be ready in about a fortnight.

The Deputation, in answer to His Honour, stated that on the Awamoko line the rails and sleepeis were laid, down about a mile on the other side of Awamoko.

His Honour mentioned that he had spoken with the contractor (Mr Proudfoot) the other day in regard to the necessity of getting the line finished before harvest, and he was assured that it would be ready by that time so far as he (Mr Proudfoot) was concerned, and that he (Mr. Proudfoot) had arranged to have a locomotive to run on the tramway. The deputation might depend on it. that, so far as the -Government was concerned, they would do all that lay in their power to urge the work on to completion.

It was mentioned that the time of the contract for laying the rails had expired in November.

His Honotjb, was not sure on this point. The great drawback hitherto was the want of a locomotive, and it was

satisfactory now to know that one would arrive in the next vessel./ The orderjfpr the locomotive had not been adhered to, and the locomotive sent was, perhaps, rather too heavy for that line, but it would,.however, soon be sent up there. Tn the meantime, it was mentioned that a suitable locomotive might be got from Wellington from the General Government,

His Hoifour, in reply,, remarked that all the General Government locomotives were pretty well engaged. In fact, he was communicating with them almost every day on the subject of locomotives, and had already got all the locomotives they could spare..

The Deputation then pointed out the loss of revenue that would, be sustained if the line were not finished- in time to bring down the produce after harvest, besides more damage would be done to the road by carrying about GOOD-tons of produce over it.

His Honotjk, hoped the line- would be completed in time to- bring produce to market. He was glad to learn, that the main line was so far advanoedj.and would ■ ascertain whether the contractor had a locomotive, and if he had not the Government would get the best one they could, : and endeavour to meet the views of the i deputation.. SITE FOR QUEESTSTOWN ATHENAEUM BUILDING.. A deputation,, consisting of the Rev. . Donald Ross, and Messrs M'anders, Malaghan-, and S\nvell, requested His Honour to grant a site suitable for the erection of an Athenaum at Queenstowm.

The Rev. Mr Ross-stated the- object of the deputation. The rev. gentleman explained that there were-three-sites suggested, each of which, was admirably ' suited. He had seen the architect for the Court House and other Government ! Buildings about to be erected at Queenstown, and was assured": by him that he would make the Athenaeum, harmonise with these buildings on.thesam& piece of ground, so as to give additional effect to them. One of the sites suggested was about 30ft., and the Athenaeum might be erected thereon next to the Government Buildings, and a structure raised for the Athenaeum that would be- in harmony with them. It was contemplated to expend £600 or £700= on the building, which will also provide roomi for a Museum.

His Honour said if the deputation would leave the tracings they had brought of sites they considered eligible,, he would see what could be done in the matter.

IMMIGRANTS I'OR- QTJEENSEOWN.

The same deputation called His Honour's attention to the fact that there was an Immigration Barracks- at Queenstown, that immigrants were much wanted in the district, and'that hitherto none had been sent.

His Honour, in reply, said' the reason why n^ne had been sent during the winter, though many had come- to the Province, was the inclement state of the weather. Latterly the demand was so great that none could be spared to be sent. The next ship,, however, that arrived with immigrants who were not nominated, and whom the Government would have to dispose of, would allow of the request of the deputation being complied with.