The Hon R. J. Seddon.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 7179, 2 June 1891, Page 4

The Hon R. J. Seddon.

DEPUTATIONS IN THE SOUTH. |F»B Fbebq Abhooivtiow. i DUNBDIN, June 1. Mr Seddon was interviewed both at Boxburgh and Lawrence on the subject of assisting County Councils whose incomes had been reduced by the abolition of the gold duty. At Lawrence it was urged that the losa waa about £2000, and the cost of maintaining the . main road at the Lawrence end waa £700. The Minister said ; all the Counties appeared to bo hard up. , He thought before the Government was asked to assist, the local bodie3 should exhaust the means at their disposal. ; Parliament was aware that local bodies ; would suffer by abolishing the gold duty, and presumably considered that the expenditure must be curtailed. He suggested that the question of tyres should be looked to. The State certainly profited where the maib were carried over main roads, and he thought it should contribute to their maintenance. He would make no promise, but would look into the matter. On the representation of Mr T. Mackenzie, M.H.R., Mr Seddon promised to bring under the notice cftbe Minister for Landß the question of delaying the date for poisoning rabbits, so aa not to interfere with those who were engaged in catching for freezing and canning. INVERCA.EGILL, June 1. The Hon E. J. Seddon had a very full clay's work here. He visited the end of the Seaward Bush line before breakfast, received deputations on thia and other matters till eleven o'clock, then started for Orepuki, came back about six o'clock, received more deputations, and at eight o'clock sat down to a banquet tendered to him and the Hon J. G. Ward. During the day he did not make a single promiso to spend money. To do bo might only raise iaho hopes, for the matter lay with the Parliament ultimately, and as tbe Government was pledged to no more borrowing there would bo very little to spend. Mr Seddon leaves at midnight to catch the moraing train from Clinton to Dunedin.