Deputations to the Hon. the Premier and the Hon. the Native Minister.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 2772, 2 January 1878, Page 2

Deputations to the Hon. the Premier and the Hon. the Native Minister.

COUNTY COUNCIL. A deputation consisting of Crs JJrodie (chairman), Spencer, and Thorburn, waited on the Hon. the Premier and tho Hon. the Nativo Minister by special request of the Premier, to talk over various local matters. Cr Brodie, with referonco to tho Pumping Association securities, said that by the Appropriation Act of 1874, a sum of £50,000 was voted for the purpose of testing the deeper levels of goldfield. When this money was spent the work would have stopped had not tho County in conjunction with the Borouth agreed to forego a portion of their Gold Duty for that purpose. They had also borrowed about £3000, for the purpose on condition of the handing over of the securities, and they wanted to know when it would be done. 'Jhe Government also agreed to hand over the Thames Water Race which they (the County) would not take until completed, and the Government agreed to place a sum on estimates for that purpose. They wished to know what had been done. Sir G. Grey referred them to the ■j^Aj^K^priation Act with reference to the securities. *—: Mr Shechan said ti^the sum of £6,500, had been placed t>2ij^fe^siirnates for completion ofcrYiater Race. lv answer to another question ro*the spending of the money for thc-race, Sir G. Grey said thai the work would be dono by the Counoil subject to the approval of the Government Cr Brodio asked what would be their proportion for the making of roads through Native districts. Sir George Grey said he did not know until tho estimates were prcparid. Cr Brodie asked if their Gold Duty would be taken into consideration as rates when the basis of distribution was being made. Sir George Grey said it was a legal question. Cr Brodie referred to the vote of £60,000 for roads in Auckland Province, and showed that only £75 odd had been spent by Government on roads in this peninsula. Sir G. Grey promised to use all means in his power to get as much for this district as possible. Tho claims of the Thames were fully admitted by Parliament last session.

In answer to a question re the purchase of land in Roldfields for agricultural purposes, to attend to which the late UoTernment had appointed Mr Puckey, Sir G. Grey said that he would see the natives this afternoou about it and see what could be dono.

Cr Brodio pressed on Sir G. Grey the advisability of the Government acquiring the freehold of the Ohincmuri Goldfield, as privnte persons were negotiating for the purchase.

Mr Sheehan : Private parties cannot acquire an acre of it.

In answer to a question re County endowments, Sir George- Grey said that nothing could be done until the land hud been acquired. Sir George Grey promised if possiblo this summer lo have something done towards the removal of sna^s in the Ohiucmuri river.

Cr Ih'odie then mentioned Ihc question of representation. He quoted statistics from Dreti's Almanac which shewed that in proportion to the number of electors the Thames was entitled to 5.8 memberp, instead of which they laid only two. yir d. Grey admitted the justice of the Thunios ii.vlring increased representation bolL in MoitM.' of and .Li:gi:;i;itivi- C'.-nncil.

; Or J3ro'&i?r also urged the desirability of pushing nn the Thames Valley llailvray, to jiavcT >mq Valley settled, and the Country opened up. Mr promised to have the land acquired soon as possible.

Sir Gr. Grey requestefd tho Council to keep these matters ilforohim in writing. The deputation then withdrew.

Our report of the other deputations is crowded out.