DEPUTATION TO THE SUPERINTENDENT.

Evening Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2130, 4 March 1870, Page 2

DEPUTATION TO THE SUPERINTENDENT.

This morning a very numerous deputation of settlers from the Peninsula waited upon his Honor the Superintendent, with divided views : the majority desiring one object, which was objected to by one or two. The deputation was introduced by Mr Seaton, who explained that the majority of the inhabitants of the Peninsula desired an alteration in the terms of the contract for repairing the Portobello road. As it now stood, it was proposed to mend the bad places by metalling them, but most of the settlers seemed to think that injudicious, and preferred metalling the road between where it now ends from Dunedin and the point to which the money voted would enable them to extend it. His Honor asked what the terms of the contract were. Mr Seaton said the contract was_ to scatter the metal here and there on portions of the road where it was wanted. A letter was presented to his Honor from the contractor, stating his willingness to agree to the proposed change without alteration of price. Mr Seaton said the change would be somewhat to the disadvantage of the contractor, as at the further end of the road metal could be obtained at 3s 9d a yard, whereas on the portion of the road to which they wished to confine the work it would cost him 5s Id. Mr Macdonald objected to any alteration in the terms of the contract. He said he Avas interested not merely in the condition of the road at the Dunedin end, but in the whole length of it. The deputation had been got up rather on the sly [it consisted of about thirty settlers (laughter)] and principally for selfish purposes. Many Avho were prepared to object to the proposed change knew nothing about it, and he was of opinion that it would be the Avorst plan possible, although it Avould suit some to have a good road past their own doors. He considered that, if the terms of the contract were altered, it Avould be incumbent upon the Government to invite fresh tenders. Several of the settlers spoke to the same effect, and sometimes tAVO or three spoke at once. Mr Macdonald suggessed that before any alteration was made, the opinion of the Government engineers should be taken. After some come conversation, and no little shoAV of feeling on both sides, his Honor, Avith some little difficulty, got the deputation to understand that he was in possession of the facts, which would be considered by the Executive. It was then suggested that at a point of the road named Todd’s Hili it Avould be

waste of money to put metal on it, as the gradient was so steep as to require the hill to be cut down. For about twenty pounds the work might be done, and a hollow filled up, which would prove a great advantage. His Honor thought there was no vote available for the purpose. _ The former subject being again brought up, his Honor recommended that the settlers should form themselves into _ a road district, when the matter would be in their own hands. The idea was not generally entertained. , The first matter disposed of, a complaint was made by part of the deputation that Mr Macdonald had put a fence across the Sandymount district road, which he declined to remove. Mr Macdonald said it was necessary to retain the fence as a protection to his cattle until the Road Board fenced the road in, and that the fence consisted only of slip panels. His Honor suggested that Mr Macdonald should allow the District Road Board to put up swing-gates, instead of slip panels. To this they agreed, although some of the deputation expressed a wish that he would close the road altogether. The business being concluded, the deputation withdrew, his Honor remarking that they were rather too numerous for a deputation.