depotation to sir donald McLean.

Thames Star, Volume VIII, Issue 1907, 12 February 1875, Page 2

depotation to sir donald McLean.

A deputation, consisting of Messrs Rowe, Spencer, Brodie, Butt, Mackay, Porter, Price, and Holmes waited upon Sir Donald McLean, at the Pacific Hotel, at tyro . o'clock, to urge upon him the necessity for constructing a road toKopu. Dr. Pollen was present.

Mr-Rowe stated concisely what were deemed the advantages to be reaped from such a road, which, enabling goods to be shipped direct from Kopu, would obviate the necessity of the delays which now occurred. He had no estimate of the cost of such a work, but it was not thought that it would amount to. a great deal.

Mr Brodie said there was a large traffic between Shortlard and Ohinemuri,- and steamers could not always getintd tHe River 1 harries J an<£ by reasbn 6( the bank in the gulf, boats had togoa k>Dg distance round to get in at any time. A road could be made from, hereto ]£opu at a comparatively small cost, and river boats could be made to answer all purposes. Cr. Butt said an estimate had once been made of this work, but lie forgot what it was. At the time there was a native difficulty in the way, and those interested had in-consequence been restrained *from taking steps in the matter. No# the time was arrived however, and he thought it would not complicate matters, to have the work carried out. As regarded the construction of the road itself, and the river traffic, Capt. Butt said there was no difficulty in the way, and in a few months the necessary conveyances could be had on the river, on the name principle as the American river boats.

In reply; Sir DanaldfMcLean said that Dr Poilen, as haviug had more to do with therThamesVwould*haves a better knowledge about the matter, in case of there be-, ing any difficulty in Me way of title. Only one mirtter he wished to refer to, namely, that the Government got pressed on all sides without having an opportunity forconsideration. At present they were occupied in a business of considerable importance, the opening up of Ohinemuri; and upon the successful result of the negociations now pending much would depend. In the meantime they could not undertake anything fresh. Until the Ohinemuri negociations were settled and | everything made clear, he would not be j prepared to give an answer to the proi posal of the deputation. j Dr Pollen said this question was not a new one by any means., When the gold--1 field was opened he had expressed his conviction that Kbpu was the real port of the Thames, but - influences of a local character had precluded those who were interested in the management of the field from giving attention to such permanent works, while a good deal of money had been watted upon private landing places on the .flats. The question seemed-to be, who was to undertake the work—whether ijb was the Province, which to a certain extent derived whatever advantage there was in the shape of revenue, or whether the. Colony as a whole should be called upon to do it. jWhile he never had a doubt about the necessity of connecting Shortland and Grahams town with Kopu, he thought tße"T.ocal~ifatboriti«B-shou|d-perform the work rather than the Colony. If there was any difficulty in the way besides, tl^at of money (such as f a question of disputed title) it would! be competent for the, Goverementto put it out of .their way. ' ' ! ' .•'.' 1. : Sir Donald McLean concurred that if the,only.matter required of the Government ' was' the settlement of the title, the deputation might count upon their-sup-port, Xater on Mr Spencer asked if Dr Pollen thought there would be any native difficulty suppose.the money*were found by'a company. - ■ . • * , .Sir Donald McLean said the Government would endeavor to remove it if there were.

' "Referring to the question «f the foreshore, Dr Pollen said the Government had from the first determined upon conferring that .as an endowment to the Corporation, but the Superintendent had; frustrated the intention of the Government, but if the'Corporatiori arid Provincial Government arranged between them, as to who should undertake the' work', the Government wbuld undertake to make the foreshore available as a means by which the work could be prosecuted. The connection of the tramway from Grahamstown to Shortland and on to Kopu was touched upon. Dr Pollen expressed an opinion that such a work was simple, and of such advantage to the people of the Thames as to warrant them in making-some "sacrifice to attain its accomplishment. j,r -v .-