DEPUTATION TO THE HON. THE MINISTER, FOR PUBLIC WORKS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 5266, 4 January 1879, Page 3

DEPUTATION TO THE HON. THE MINISTER, FOR PUBLIC WORKS.

[By Special Wiee.J

Wellington, January 3rd.

At the Railway Station Site deputation to. day to the Hon. Mr Macandrew, the following scene occurred: —

His Worship the Mayob asked, without desiring to be too pressing in the matter, whether they might assume the two sections reforrud to would be withdrawn from sale, ao as to be used as a passenger station ? The Hon. Mr MacaSdrew : If necessary. Mr Gardner said that Mr Maoandrew qualified his promises by the words "if necessary." The Hon. Mr Macandrew thought that the responsibility of the necessity or otherwise of any given course of action should rest upon the shoulders of the department.

Mr Nathan did not agree with Mr Macanr drew on that point. Ho thought a great deal more weight should be givon to the wishes of the public under the circumstances. Every interest in the city was represented by the present deputation, and he thought the Government should pay deference to their wishes. —(Hear, hear.) This was not a political matter, it was a matter purely of commonBenae, and what they asked was for the good and the interests of the public ; and whether carried out or not, should not be left altogether to the department. They knew quite as well as the department what they wanted. At the present time they had to pay 2s 6d cartage on goods to the railway, whereas, were the station more conveniently situated, they would have to pay only Is, and this would represent a good deal on the sales.—(Hear, hear.) The people of Wellington, under such circumstances, should have something more than a half-promisefrom the Government.— (Hear, hear.) Ofcago had not to sue in this manner for what she wanted.—(Hear, hear.) This was a necessity, and they had a right to demand that their wishes should be complied with.—(Hear, hear.) TJie Hon, Mr Macandrew informed Mr Nathan he did not intend to go on the stump. Mr Nathan said he did not intend to go on the stump either. This was not a political matter, and he did not desire to introduce politick

The Hon. Mr Mac/.ndjiew to Mr Nathan: " You might have say id your virtuous indignation." He (the Minfiter) was of opinion that the Public Works I/epartment had a right to be judges of what! was necessary.—(Cries of "No, no,") Mr Nathan thought the people ought to know best what taey wanted, and had a light to ask for that,

Tho Hon. Mi Maoandkew thought that people did not al know what was best for them. Hovveye'i. he.harl nott;,^-farther- tv -swylu Hie'mattf r. Me had no personal interest to serve, but he did not think the Government could afford to' »ive up all reclaimed area which would be npces i&ry.

Mr Drassf; eld pointed out they only asked that two sectims referred should be reserved.

The Hon. Mr Macandhew said he under stood Mr Nathan to practically ask the Government to give up all of it for railway purposes.—(No, no,) The Hon. Mr Macandrew continued to siiy that a]} ha cou}d promise the deputation was that the reserve asked for should be made if it'were found necessary.