DEPUTATION TO THE SUPERINTENDENT.

Evening Star, Volume VII, Issue 2067, 20 December 1869, Page 2

DEPUTATION TO THE SUPERINTENDENT.

At noon to-day, Mesrs France, M.P.C. ; Ashcroft, M.P.C. ; Hutcheson, M.P.C. ; R. Gillies, Borrie, and Aitcheson, waited upon his Honor the Superintendent, to urge upon his Honor the necessity for forming the main road through the Papakaia district. Mr Franck introduced the deputation, and stated' that, although in compliance with the request of petitioners -who were opposed to the proposed road he presented the opposing petition, he approved of the prayer of the petition brought up by the deputation, and considered the line through Messrs Fileul’s pre-emptive right that which would best serve,the interests of all the settlers. Mr Gillies believed that the Governor had taken steps to take possession of the necessary ground through the pre-emptive rfght. It was by far the best road. The petition which he presented had the names of persons attached to it who held large quantities of laud, and who were intimately acquainted with the district. He had also to present a memorial representing that several names appended to the counter petition were signed under misapprehension of its nature, as they supposed it was merely asking that the road should be metalled, pot that it should be made the main road. The present tpack was a swamp in summer and a canal in winter. He Jhad been given to understand that Mr Thompson, on behalf of the Government, had been sent to take possession of land necessary for that road, and for another in a similar position. His Hokob said that fh.et’g was jqore difficulty in the way than Mr Gillies seemed to imagine, and although be considered it the better road of the two, it might cost more in compensation than the Government might feel justified in giving. Messrs Ashcroft, Hutcheson, and Aitcheson supported the prayer of the petition, and— His Honor said that the only prqper course would be to have both ro (Is carefully inspected by a competent person, in order to decide upon their comparative merits. Mr Ashcroft then drew his Honor’s attention to the fact there -wore at present no means of protection against the practice of allowing cattle to graze on the public roads. He urged that a proper officer should be appointed, to take steps to prevent this, as it was not work that should be thrown upon the wardens and police. His Honor pointed out that in the Waste Lands Act Amendment Act, that comes into operation op fh e Ist January, 1870, provision was made for remedying th.o evil complained of, and that the necessary steps would be taken.

The deputation thanked his Honor and withdrew.