DEPUTATION TO THE HON. THE PREMIER.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume XXXIII, Issue 11281, 30 May 1891, Page 3

DEPUTATION TO THE HON. THE PREMIER.

A deputation from the Chamber of Commerce, consisting of Messrs John Stevenson, Alexander Hatrick, T. D. Cummins, Peter Bell. J. L. Stevenson, G. F. Cremer, A. J. Parsons, F. M. Spurdle, and J. Duigan (hon.; secretary); waited on the Premier at 10 o'clock yesterday morning. Mr John Stevenson acted as spokesman for the Chamber, in the unavoidable absence of the Chairman (Mr G. Carson), and vice-Chairman (Mv E. N. Liffiton.) The question of giving the proposed Conservators' Board permissive power to levy tannage dues was brought up.— Mr Hatrick did not think it would be fair to impose tonnage dues, as the steamer would have to run, full or empty, to fulfil her mail contract, and would have to run ' bo taiany risks, which other. steamers were free of without insurance.— Mr T. D. Cummins thought the best way of collecting a revenue for keeping the channel clear would be to impose a tonnage rate of one shilling a ton on all goods carried up or down the river.— The Premier said hewas not quite sure, whether the latter .could be done, but he would look into the ' ' matter on his return to Wellington, and let the Chamber know later on how the. matter stood and whether the Bill constituting a Wanganui River Conservators' Board could be made to confer the power of charging a tonnage rate on -'• ' goods carried by water. The Premier said he was under the im-' pression that tender? had been called for the Pipiriki Road, but he would make inquiries and have the matter attended^ to at once, as he quite recognised the importance of having the road from Pipiriki to Karioi finished in time for the commencement of the steamer traffic on the river.— Mr Hatrick said that if the nine" • miles of road to connect Ohakune and Karioi, and the 18 miles between the latter place and Pipiriki,. were got on with at once, the wool and other produce from the Murimotn Plains would all come down the Wanganui River next summer. — In answer to an inquiry the Premier promised to bring thiß matter before the Cabinet. Mr Hatrick reported that Captain Marshall had made a start with the work of clearing the river' of snags and other obstructions, but that the work would take fully 100 good working days to complete with only one party. If another punt and crew were employed, the work could be done in half the time, and at no greater expense; as the men are only paid for actual working hours.— The Premier suggested that Captain Marshall should report on the work, and embody his suggestions in a request for further plant »nd labour, so that the Government 'might give the matter further consideration. Mr John Stevenson brought up the question of securing native lands for. settlement.—The Premier informed the deputation that Captain Butler was nowin Wanganui purchasing blocks of native land and had almost concluded the purchase of one of 30,000 acres (Pohanmi) and another of 20,000 acres (Te Kapo), which as soon as acquired , by the Crown would, with as little delay as po ssible, be thrown open for settlement. The land was well spoken of and would be eagerly applied for by bonafide settlers. Mr Cremer brought the matter of eel weirs on the Waitotara River before the Premier, who informed him thi*t the natives had certain rights of fishing under the Treaty ' of Waitangi, and that the best way of getting rid of the obstructive weirs would be by negotiation with their native owners. In reply to a question re Waimarino Block, the Premier stated that about ten thousand acres of this land would be open for' selection in about a month, and that shortly afterwards a further instalment of 16,000 acres would be ready. The bind in question i« fairly good soil, not difficult of access, and tolerably level. The block is being cut up into sections of various sizes, from 300 up to 1000 acres, according to quality' of soil. The demand for land was greatly in excess of the supply, and it was only the mere speculators who were crying out against th.e perpetual system and clamouring for freehold. Bona fide settlers were quite ready and anxious to take up every acre of fair quality land cm perpetual lease, and to improve theiy holdings without loss of time. Several minor matters of local interest were discussed, after whioh. the deputation thanked the Premier for the attention and courtesy he had extended to them, and withdrew.