Deputation of Residents.

Waikato Times, Volume XXIV, Issue 2011, 28 May 1885, Page 2

Deputation of Residents.

A deputation consisting of about forty residents attended; Mr Millsacted as spokes man. Some of the matters brought foi w ard had already been disposed of by previous deputations. Mr MilU referred at some length to the erection of the new battery, the construction of the tramway connection and tiamway and battery charges. He believed the erection of the new battery would break down the existing monopoly. The aver i%e return from all the mines was lSdwts, and this ought to pay well, but >t did not. The niajiinty of the mine* had stopped woik. The heavy charges killed them. Fergusons b.\tteiy would have 50 % of the gold at the leant. As an instance of the e\cessne ehaigos he would .state that one mine, the Colonist, for 43000z of gold had to pay I'JiHX) in batteiy charges. Mr Mills then icferred to the necessity of i. diamond dull and the desirableness of a visit from Prott'ssor Black. He would ask that the (tin eminent give home assistance in open ing purporting tracks, which were very mud) wanted. Mr Larnach s.iid that in respect to purporting tracks he quite sympathised uitli the deputation. He would piomni. th it some new measure would be brought foi ward this session, dealing with the nutter, and whatever arrangements would become to, the Aroh.i district would ha\e its share. Mr Mills said the Katikati track hnd been >iade passible for horses. It cmild easily be made availablo tor wheeled traffic. When the railway was opened to Te Aroha, this would become the greatest highway to T.iurang.i. Mr Larnach piomised to bring tin 1 matter under the notice of the Lauds I)epaitment. The matter, he thought, should be brought tindei the notice of their member. Mr Mills asked would the Government assist in making a tuwioiary approach to the new bi idge. At tiie. present tune £4000 or f.IOOO woitli of woik was lying idle. Tlu> inhabitants would contribute a third of the cost, sn that Goverment would only ha\e to contribute t'lo 01 t">o. Mi Lu-uach s.ud he would see if the Government could not come to some airan<,ement with the conti actor 111 the matter. Mr Mills .said that residents of Te Aroha, Waioiongomai and (juaitiMlle weie desirous of foi imng the three centres in one borough. In doing so they w.inted to have an enqiuiy into the cost of the tramway and ceitain matters connected therewith. Evidence could be In niyht fmwaid to -how that a large poi turn of the co-t had b-en simply wasted, much blundering had taken place, and the blame ought to bo placed on 1 lght shoulders, 'ihe manager of the batteiy had been entrusted with the uoik, and competent people said the tramway cost a great deal moie th.vi it ought to in consequence of his inability. It was tin ough Mi Filth's mHueiiu! tlj.it the iiunagei had been entm-tjd with the woik. Mi Larnach said the tiunuay was not made by the coi.utv, b-it 1 irg'ly by the (<o\crnment. He dirl 11 it k-i-iv, what. id vantage the people w u <l '1 im tioin di.igglllg Up old soif-.. The deputation tli"ii witlulifw