DEPUTATIONS TO THE HON. J. G. WARD.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 10200, 7 November 1894, Page 4

DEPUTATIONS TO THE HON. J. G. WARD.

The Colonial Treasurer (the Hon. J. G. Ward) attended at the otSce of the inspector of telegraphs yesterday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. to receive deputations, and was interviewed by a number of gentlemen during the morning, and received three publiG deputations. - SYRIAN UAWKEBS, ' . . Mr D. Pinkerton, M.H.R., introduced the Syrian hawker Mashoud Meree and his interpreter to the Colonial Treasurer, explaining that Meree, who had been fined £50 and had his goods forfeited for evasion of the custom* duties, claimed to have suffered an injustice because of his inability to understand the English language. There had been,. Meree asserted, no intention to evade payment of duty, and he also asserted that the interpreter had not made the magistrate properly acquainted with the circumstances of the case. A written statement was handed to the Colonial Treasurer.

The Hen. J. G. Ward said he would go iota the whole matter on his arrival in Wellington, where he could consult the departmental papers relating to the case. He would ascertain whether Meree had suffered through hot being properly interpreted. Of courge, it was very important tbat evasion of customs duties should be checked, but, ori the other hand, if anything unfair had been done owing to the fact that the defendant was not acquainted with the English language, that ought to be put right. As soeu as he had investigated the mattei he would communicate the result to Mi Pinkerton. OPERATIVE MASONS. A number of unemployed operative masons were introduced as a deputation representing some 30 unemployed artisans. Mr D. Pinkerton, M.H.R., said that fiva months ago the Premier had promised to have the new gaol started, and the men were anxious that this should be done, also that there should be no undue delay in starting the new insurance buildings, aud that necessary work in connection with the railways should be put in hand, as there was little work for masons to do and the men had been out of wOrk a long time.

Mr D. Campbell said the men were anxious for work for the sake of themselves and their families. In addition to what had been mentioned by Mr Piukerton he wished to mention that there was a bridge which should be a stone structure that taxis to be put in hand afc Seaward Bush. There was plenty of good stone in the locality—that was within six miles of the bridge,—and he wished this should be taken netice of, as it was feared that a pile bridge might be erected.

The Hou. J. G. Ward said he was very sorry to learn that there were so many m&Bona out of work, and would willingly place the representations they had made before Mr Seddon. He should meet the Premier in Christchurch on*" Wednesday evening, and would then bring this matter under his attention. He could say, so far as the Government Insurance Building was concerned, there would be no unreasonable delay in starting it. The. intention was to , put that iv hand at an early date. He knetr the Premier was anxious to do all ho could in the way of pushing on works, but' of course he , had his difficulties to overcome, and thesa i would doubtless account for the delay that had taken place. Regard had to be paid to the moneys available, and other difficulties had to be met. As he had said, the representations that had been made should be laid before Mr Seddon, who would no doubt coxftmuuicate with Mr Pinkerton. THE CITY TRAMWAYS. A deputation consisting of Mr Hosking (soII« citor), Mr H. Rose, and Mr J. Williams (manager), representing the City Tramway , Company, was introduced by Mr D. Pinkertdn. * Mr Hosking said that the deputation had

waited on the Colonial Treasurer, although they knew the matter was one that strictly cama within the province of the Public Works departs ment. The position was this: The amendJ ments made in the Order-in-Council were for the most part trifling, • and the company agreed with them", but they desired to have inserted a proviso to the effect that the provisions wero not to interfere with the arrangement tha Government had made with the company, as ta the incidence of the cost of the alterations ia the telegraph and telephono systems. By the Order-in-Council as it etood it would seem that the cost was thrown on the company, which ought to be undertaken by the Government. It might not be intended, but, go far as he could see, according to the terms of the proposed Order-in-Council that was so.

. The Hon. J. G. Ward : That is the cost of the; alteration of the telephone system ? Mr Hoskins : Yes. He' had written to tha Pnblic Works i department to ask that the matter should be pushed on, and he now asked the Minister to do what he could to expedite a settlement of this question. I The Hon. J. G. Ward : You wanfc a decision really upon that point, which is the only one of importance. You do not waut to relieve ths Post and Telegraph department of the cosfc ef altering the service. Mr Hosking said that was the point. The others were matters of detail which there would be no difficulty in settling. The Hon. J. G. Ward said he would attend to the matter as soon as he get to Wellington, where he expected to be on Saturday, and wonld theu communicate with Mr Hosking. Mr Rosk asked: the Minister if he weuld kindly do anything he could to facilitate tha issue of the Order-in-Council, as the company were anxious that no further time should bg lost. „ ' ..

The Hon. J. G. Wabd said he would mention the matter to Mr Seddon on the following day, and would ask him to try and facilitate th» issue Of the Order-in-Council.