A DEPUTATION.

Otago Witness, Issue 1901, 17 July 1890, Page 17

A DEPUTATION.

A deputation, consisting of Dr Hodgkinson, IMr Feldwick, Mr Ward, and Mr Valentine, 1 waited upon the Railway Commissioners this morning upon various matters particularly concerning their districts. The first matter brought up was the concession of a free pass to Mr John M'Kenzie, of Invercargill, who contemplates the establishment of a service of coaches from Lumsden to Lake Te Anau during the tourist season, as it would be necessary for Mr M'Kenzie to frequently travel between Lumsden and Invercargill, so as to give information to and make arrangments for the comfort of travellers, especially tourists from abroad. The commissioners, recognising the importance of assisting in the development of Buoh enterprise, consented to grant the concession asked for. Dr Hodgkinson aoted as spokesman in this matter for the deputation. Then Mr Feldwick brought np the question of carrying gravel at a cheaper rate than at present from the Wyndham gravel pits for the pnrpose of road making. The commissioners stated that they could not see their way to make any turther reduction, as they were now carrying the gravel at a rate which really left no profit to them ; in fact, the rates were intentionally made very low, because they recognised that the gravel wanted was for the purpose of road making, and whioh they were desirous of assisting. Mr Valentine again nrged the carrying of lime during the off season at low rates, and assured the commissioners that he believed the department would, in this, case at least, suffer no loss through so doing, but in all probability would reap considerable benefit in the end. Mr M'Kerrow said the commissioners were considering this matter vety seriously, and he was not sure that something might not be done in the direction indicated by Mr Valentine, Mr Feldwick explained that Messrs Richardson and Cowan were prevented from attending in consequence of their presence being required at the Waste Lands Committee, where they were then sitting. After thanking the commissioners for the kindly .manner 'in which they had been received the deputation withdrew. The same deputation then waited upon the Postmaster-general to ask him if he would grant a subsidy to Mr M'Kenzie for carrying a mail from Lumsden to Te Anau. It was pointed out that the convenience of a mail service would go a long way to induce tourists to visit these lakes. The Postmaster-general said the matter had his sympathy, and would be carefully inquired into. THE TOURIST TRAFFIC. ' In this Bame connection Mr T. Maokenete has given notice of motion — "That the Government should adopt some definable energetic means of rendering the magnificent natural scenery ,of New Zealand better known and more accessible to tourists and others, and that a report be obtained from > competent persons as to the most practicable and interesting ronte between Milford Sound and Lake Te Anau, thence on to Lake Wakatipu, abd through to Mount Cook, via Lakes Wanakaand Hawea. Mr Mackenzie's reasons for bringing forward the motion maybe thus stated :— New Zealand is undoubtedly attracting numbers 'of visitors f rbm Australia ; the tourist traffic is 'of great importance to any,- country ; hundreds 'of thousands of pounds sterling are yearly spent by tourists' in Switzerland; New Zealand, owing to her.' great attractions; will become the Switzerland of Australasia, and it is worthy the consideration of the' House to expend Borne money in carrying out the spirit of his resolution. DUMMYISM. The special committee which has been set np to inquire into; "dummyism" '.continued its labours to-day. The Commissioner of Crown lands for Otago was examined, and stated that, so far as he knew, there was very little dummyism in his district, but nearly all the lands taken up in Otago during the lost two years had been acquired by people who already owned land and wanted to get more. ' To-morrow the Crown* Lands Commissioner 'for Canterbury' (Mr J. H. Baker) is to be examined, and Sir Robert Stout is also to give evidence on the question, The inquiry promises to be a long one.

THE FINANCIAL DEBATE dragged , along drearily, all this afternoon and evening. Mr Bruce opened with a capital speech — clear, thoughtful, and logical, and was attentively listened to ; — but the same cannot be said for his successors, Messrs Buxton and Duncan. Their speeches were dull, both in matter and delivery. During Mr Duncan's speeob, however, the House was roused from its somnolent condition by an amusing, but decidedly irregular incident. Mr Duncan accused Mr T. Mackenzie of dummyism in connection with the acquisition of 1000 acres of land in Otago. Mr Mackenzie emphatically denied the accusation, and said Mr Duncan knew when he made the statement that it was not true. 'A brief altercation ensued, iv the course of whibh Mr Mackenzie said his applications were perfectly in order, and that he paid £1 an acre for land which had since been valued at 15s. Both gentlemen spoko warmly, and Mr Duncan pro* duced a plan, which he flourished about excitedly and invited Mr Mackenzie to come over and see it. As the mountain would not come to Mahomet, Mahomet had to go to the mountain, and Mr Duncan, amid great laughter, walked over to Mr Mackenzie, and proceeded to discuss the plan with him. Mr Dunoan pointed to a part of the) plan and was heard to say, " Is that yours t " Immediately afterwards Mr Mackenzie rose and acquitted Mr Duncan of any maliciousness in making his accusation, as he had been misled by a plan which was erroneous. The inoident ended by Mr Duncan laying the plan on the table, and Mr Mackenzie has given notice to move that the whole matter be referred to the Waste Lands Committee. Mr Menteatb, who followed Mr Duncan, failed to relieve the dreariness of the debate. Sir John Hull was a little more successful, and was encouraged by " Hear, hears " and applause from Government supporters. After Sir Jbhu Hall came Dr Newman, and after him Sir George Grey, who dealt chiefly with land and the land tax. His speech was anything but dull, and he was as heartily encouraged by the Opposition as Sir John Hall had been by the supporters of the Government. Sir G. Grey was in exceptionally good fighting form and dealt vigorous blows all round, and when he sat down just before 11 the Hon. Mr Hislop rose to speak, but the House insisted on taking the supper adjournment. When it resumed at 11.30, Mr O'Conor moved the adjournment of the debate, which was agreed to, and the House rose. ABOLITION OF GOLD DUTY. The Government are considering how best to recoup local bodies in mining districts for the loss of the gold duty, which it is proposed to abolish, but the bill is not yet ready.