DEPUTATION TO HIS HONOR THE SUPERINTENDENT.

Waikato Times, Volume III, Issue 115, 30 January 1873, Page 2

DEPUTATION TO HIS HONOR THE SUPERINTENDENT.

An influential deputation of gentlemen HBfffi hi* Honor the Superintendent, Mr Gillies, a.fc fcjs fwi^ip Government ollices, on the 24th, for the p^Bijgsg 6§ £%*Mttg liia Honor a attention to various matters alfeg^flH #& w4& l- P of tiiQ province. The following gentlemen fapin^ £he Reputation: — Messrs. fame's -Williamson, T Mocnu, "\y. fit. Wilson, J. M. Shei>a, W. Aitfccii; J Newnp.i, S. frowning.. G-. B Owen, J. S. Micfarlano, H. Isaac.3, and Q^bbqiW Messrs. Hurst, Lusk, and Sheehan (members of the JJrq: Executive) were also present at the interview. — Mr Jamfi Williamson, having introduced the deputation to his Ifouqr, opened the' business by catting his attention to the present pos tian of the pravinco as regards tho labour market, and the question of immigration. It was absolutely necessary that the General Government should do something to relieve the labour market. A^ricalturists would have shortly to cense employing labour, as they "were unable to pay the advanced wages demanded and work their land wjtU any pro Ijt. Therb were, variqus matters which would b,o referred to by other gentlemen, and to whic.h he would not consequently allude. The.re was ong subject of vital importance not only to the settlers of Waikato, but to the province generally, to which lie would refer, viz , tho improvement of the navigation of the Waikato river. When Mr McLean was up in Auckland some promise 3 had been held out that steps would be taken to remove the snags and deepen the channel. A mail was at present taken by land, under Government subsidy, while the steamers, which were trying to develop a trade in the dhfrict, and confeiring considerable advantages upon the le'ttlers, were left unassisted. Under present circumstances it was not to be wondered at that freight was £& 15s a ton as far oj Hamilt.oiv AV uen tne 7 saw a small province like '^awkeVj|ay,' 'also, Wellington, receive large numbey of immigrants, they could jjot rest con r tent with the scanty supply of labour furnished to Auckland. Tho province looked to his Honor to use his best exertions, and his official influence with tlio General Government to remedy such a state of things.— His Honor said he had [ already urged upon the General Government the necessity of relieving the labour market by importing more immigrants. He had received a circular stating that 8000 immigrants would shortly be sent out, of which 800 would come to Auckland. He had' remonstrated at the small number allotted, in proportion to o. thcr provinces, but to that remonstrance lie' had' received no reply; neither had any information been youphsa/ed to him as to tlie'qlass and condition of immigrants to be selected. In Canterbury the farmers were also suffering* from the scarcity of labour, an 4 had. to pay 15s to 30s a day, simply because men were not to be got. There had been no neglect on the part of the Provincial Government in the matter of immigration, for two years ago they had placed their views before the General Government on this question. — Mr. Sheehan said the Provincial Government plan contemplated the importation of 2000 immigrants ; the public could judge how far that expectation was realised.

Tub Thamb3 and Waikato Ryii/wat.— Mr Gibbons said lie desired to bring under his Honor's notice the Thames and Waikato railway. The people in both districts were in perfect accord as to the necessity and utility of the projected line. Surteyors acquainted with the tract of country between the Thames and Waikata, assuved him that the line was wholly free from engineering difficulties— there being but a riso of a few feet the whole distance. The railway wonld pass through block* of land fairly adapted for agriculture, and on which could be obtained ample supplies of totara and matai for railway construction. — He trusted his Honor would second the o.Tovts of the people in these districts to get this work accomplished ; and ho believed it would be second to none yet undertaken in promoting the settlement and prosperity of the province. — His Honor said he had already urged_ upon the General Government the desirability of having'a preliminary survey made. This line would go through native lands, which might possibly involve considerable difficulty. Whoever had told Mr Gibbons that there was but a rise of a few feet in the whole distance could have known but little about the matter. He had himself travelled over a oonssderable portion of that tract of country, and although it was not particularly broken, still it was not so free from engineering dificullties as Mr Gibb/ms. had stated. This work was not authorised or contemplated by the lAssembly. Mr Richardson, in all probability, would have a survey made, and ascertain the coat, when he was in hopes something would be done in the matter. Ho could assure him that considerable change had taken place in the native mind recently, and no difficulty need be apprehended on that score. — His Honor thought it was not judicious to depend too much on changes in the native mind, and any attempt to proceed against the wishes of tribal claimants would be imprudent. As an illustration, ho would mention the Provincial Government hai recently ordered the construction of a bridge in the Waikato, when the natives wrote down that if it were proceeded with they would burn it down, as it was on native land. This is a specimen of the trouble involved in carrying on works in native districts. — Mr Aitken inquired if the Goverment had suspended operations under the influence of these, threats.— : His Honor : No, the contraotor had done so, but received instructions to go on until the natives had actually interfered with him. — Mr Sheehan said J that he wag informed Mr Mackay had undertaken if remove any difficulty of that character in respect to the Thames rai'way, and he felt perfectly confident *of securing the consent of the natives in the event of work being prosecuted. He might say further that the provincial authorities had brought this matter under the notice of the General Government nearly two years and a-half ago. — Mr Gibbons observed that when MrVogel was at the Thames he had been interviewed about the matter, but tha people never I heard nnv more of it.

TnE Great Softh Boad.— Mr Aitken said he was glad to henr that his Honqr ha,d. acted sa promptly a^d «o firmly in respect to the threats qfl these turbulent natives. Whoever a native had a wrong cj° n P *Q '" ra reparation was njafle, ljufc a European could neither get justice nor have his complaints listened to by the Government. He had to bring under his Honor s notice a case of hardship inflicted upon a settler. The Great South Roa.d, nt a point between Ngaruawahia and Rangiawhia, had been carried through this penon's prope.rtv, inflicting considerable, injury flpon him, yet the General Government refused to give anj redress, or to remedy the wrong done. Unloss his Honor toot some action in the matter, a serious injury would be inflicted on the Waikato settlers, as the road would certainly be stopped. — His Honor asked Mr Aitken if he had any documents to show that the General Government had refnsed to take any steps. — Mr Aitken said he had, and would forward them. — Hi* Honor promised to give the matter his best attention. The Waikato River.— Mr Macffarlane. hoped his Honor would urge the General Government to attend m,ore promptly to the wants and wishes of the ? qitlers than they had hitherto done. Here were the Waikato boafc3 running at a dead loss, and it was not until a telegram was sent up stating the Steam Company's intention of laying up the boats that anything was done to imnrove the navigation of the river. They had been complaining for weeks, and only the other dsj received a reply. JXe felt that the General Qovernment was neglecting the interests of the province, and he trusted his Honor would not cea9e reminding it of its du,ty.— : His Honor said an engineer, Mr Clarke, had been sont up. to the WaikatD district to attejid to the matter, and Mr Allright had been in communication with Inm. The sand-bar that had hitherto impeded, the navigation was in process of removal.

Conduct or tjie Provincial AtTTironiTiKS. — Mr Isaacs said lio could not understand how Auckland was left out in the immigration scheme, while Hawke's Bay and other small prpvinces received such large supplies of immigrants. Just sufficient people were sent here to show that the General Government were aware of Auckland's existence. When they considered the very large proportion of the colonial revenue paid by Auckland, they should be content with nothing less than a fair proportion of the benefits arising from its expenditure. They wished to strengthen the Superintendent's hands in acting with the General G-OTernment. — His Honor said he would be very glad to have his hands strengthened by the action of the public. It seemed to bo more congenial to some people to misrepresent and deprecate his actions. He was not in the habit of " blowing " abou,t every step be took in the interests of the province, qr putting in the papers ev^ry letter he had written tq the' General j Government. — Mr Williamson thought when they saw what ! Hawke's Bay had received from the presence in the Government, of two of its members, that Mr Vogel, member for City East, had somewhat neglected the interests of this province. — Mr Slieelian ; You are getting nearer the mark now. His Honor suggested that the deputation should wait upon the Minister of Public Works, who would possibly afford further information* It was matter of regret that they had not waited upon Mr O'Rorke before he went South, as he might have been able to give additional details as to thq number and claw of immigrants expected shortly. — Mr Macflarlane said lie had spoken to various Ministers about questions affecting the welfare of the province, and the answer he alwayi received was, " Spoak to the Superintendent ; get him to lay it before the General Government-" — His Honor replied that it was very convenient sometimes to roll the burden over on his shoulders ; to some of his communications with the General GQyernmant lie had received no reply, in other* he wns as good as told to mind his own business. — Mr Williamson thanked his, Hqn,qr for the courtosv wtyh which he had received them, and the deputation, withdrew, — If. Z. Herald.

Newspapf^ TBVTMtvo. — T-ho Christian WorM wivs: — " Wo can safely recommend a graduate of a newspaper office for almost at\v station in lift 1 , at least for all who require a very good knowledge of the peculiarities and characteristic* of the human family. A man who can preserve the serenity of hit temper, the sweetnew of a Christian disposition, and an unflagging perseverance amid all the obstacles and difficult ion which newspaper publication present, deserves to be ranked with Job for patience, Baxter for goodness, and the Jron, puke for ucjk, power, and obstinate determination.