The Premier and Attorney-General at Te Aroha.

Waikato Times, Volume XVIII, Issue 1505, 25 February 1882, Page 2

The Premier and Attorney-General at Te Aroha.

Thk lion, the Premier having arrived on Tuesday night, a deputation consisting ot Messrs H. X Whitaker, Murray, C. Stafford, P. Quiulan, G. S. O'Halloran, and E. Moore, waited upon him early the following morning in the Warden's office. There also present Messrs F. A. Whitaker andJ. JB. Whyte, M.H.R., Warden Kenrick, and Mr Cox, as representative of the Lincolnshire farmers. Mr Hall attended in company with the hon. Mr Whitaker. Mr J. B. Whyte in a few remarks introduced the gentlemen of the deputation. Mr Murray, who was chosen spokesman, said the matters which were to be brought under the notice of the Government were : Extension of the railway from Morrinsville to the Waihou river ; telegraphic communication between Paeroa and Te Aroha ; bridge across the Waihou ; and track up the Waiorongomai creek, for the conveyance of machinery to the new mines. With regard to the matter of telegraphic extension, lie thought that had been satisfactorily disposed of already. Mr Hall thought they should not take it for granted that the Government had already disposed of the matter of telegraphic extension. They had always been looking forward to the time when they would be able to bring tlie telegraph aero&s the country fi'Oin Hamilton. It had already been carried as far as Paeroa, and therefore he thought they had a very good guarantee that it would be extended as sood a& possible to Te Aroha. He did not however think that the work could possibly be taken in hand until the Government had got a further vote, but though he would not make them any positive piomise, still he could assure them it would be one of the earliest telegraphic extensions taken in hand. As to the ro id to the mines, he could not say whether or not that was a Public Works matter, it was more likely a matter for the Minister of Mines. Anyhow he would see which department the matter properly belonged to, and if it belonged to the Public Works Department lie would be able to tell them what chance there was of the work being undertaken ; but if it belonged to the Mines Department, it would have to stand over until the hon. Mr Rolleston came round. Mr Murray said the duputation were desirous that tiie Premier should see the countt y for himself. The Premier replied that when it came to dealing with matters in connection with the department of Mines he should only take a note of the atter, and refer it to his colleague the Minister for Mines. Mr Murray remarked that the county council had spent all the funds available, and should have no more for a twelvemonth. Unless the Government came to the assistance of the goldfield all practical progress would be retarded for that tune. The Premier wanted to know what were the bonn fide prospects of the mines. There was no use in making roads unless they -\\ ere com inced that the iield was a proper one. MrMurrayhad said it would be both exten&ive and permanent. The Government were not justified in spending money onsucha road until it was seen that hucli expenditure would be remunerative, or that the field -\\ as certain to prove a good one. Mr Murray desired to show that by the Government acceding to their request in this respect they would greatly facilitate the opening ot the goldfield, and thus be the meanrf of bringing a few thousand people to settle on the land, who would in turn make a great addition to the customs revenue of the colony. In reference to the bridge acioss the Waihon, Mr Murray &aid the deputation did not presume to suggest where the bridge ought to bo. In reference to the extention of the railway from Morrinsville to the Waihou river the Premier said it wai of no great use pushing on the work until the Hamilton railway bridge was finished. Now that they knew about what time that would take place theie would be no delay in pushing forward the line. They had already spent, or contracted to spend about £20,000 during the financial year, and as soon as the railway was to be carried on between Hamilton and the Thames, their request would be attended to. Mv Murray said that there was no use in waiting until the Hamilton railway bridge was completed to bring the sleepers and other material for the construction of the line on to the ground, as it could be landed at Te Aroha for 10s a ton, Mr Firth having promised to do the carrying at that price. That would be cheaper than it could be bi ought from Hamilton. The work could therefore be in readiness as soon as the bridge was finished . The Premier thought it was desirable that the line should be finished for a certain distance so that the settlers might have the use of it as soon as possible, then the other part of the line could be proceeded with. Very near sufficient funds had been put aside for the line, and it was the intention of the Government to have it carried out. By not waiting until the Hamilton bridge was finished, all the material would have to be carried across the Hamilton traffic bridge to the ground, increasing the cost considerably. As to Mr Murray's suggestion that the material should be carried up the Waihou river, lie had heard that settlers in the neighbourhood were kept waiting for timber for some time, and perhaps the same difficulty might be experienced in regard to the railway material. Mi* Whyfce said there must be till some £13,000 available from last year's vote. They coula give another contract for the line on the Waihou side of Morrinsville, and with a fresh vote next session they could go on with the permanent way as well. Mr Murray drew attention to a new road across to Katikati. He had been told that if this road were constructed they could drive right through to Wellington. The Premier said that £2000 had been given the Tauranga County Council for roads. Mr H. E. Whitaker replied that that vote was for the Cambridge-Tauranga road, and Mr Smith was spending it at present. The Premier said the bridge across the Waihou would be a matter for next session as they had no vote for it at present. It was then agreed on the invitation of the deputation that a visit should be paid to the new claims, so that the Ministers might be able to see the ground, and the deputation thanked the Ministers retired.