DEPUTATIONS.

Evening Star, Issue 3429, 17 February 1874, Page 2

DEPUTATIONS.

THE SUBAT'S PASSENGERS, Messrs Kobinson, Fountain, and Tsitt. the committee appointed at the meeting of the Surat’s passengers on Saturday, had an interview with the Superintendent this morning. Mr lloßivaox explained that the deputatmn desired to know what prospect there was of their getting possession of their luggage. His Honor, mentioned that some of the passengers waited on him last week on the subject, and he referred them to the Relief Committee. He told them to inform that committee that the Government would supplement to a reasonable extent whatever might bo required, and there the matter rested.

Mr Robinson was understood to say that the Belief Committee had decided not to meddle any further in this matter. They had divided the moneys amongst the passengers, but the fact was that the majority of the passengers were almost peaui’ess by the loss of their luggage, and had been unable to obtain employment. At least they only got partial employment, and the money they received had been expended on clotbin* for their families and in living. " His Honor thought some of the passengers had either been badly advised or they had acted very unwisely. He understood that good tradesmen could have got employment at very handsome wages, but they preferred to hang about town, awaiting the result of the endeavor to get th-s luggage—action which was to be very much regretted. Mr Bobinson remarked that such might have been reported, but he did not know of such cases. His Honor said there were masons and carpenters amo-ig the passengers to whom employment had been offered, and tools supplied. r Mr Robeson was understood to say that he did not think there were any such ca-es. The stone masons had been offered work they were not used to. Mis Honor could not, of course, gainsay the statement just made, but it was a most remarkable thing that carpenters could not be had for love or money. But this was apart from the question. He went personally to the chairman of the Relief Committee, and suggested that they should adopt the course he bad named, and expressed his willingness to make up the deficiency to a reasonable rxteut, but not to the extent of LB(M, which was named at the time. He did not suppose the things were woith LIOO altogether. (The deputation assented.) But nothing could be done until the interdict was taken off the luggage. That was the first step. He understood Mr Larnach had expressed himse f very reasonably ; bis last proposal being to allow tho valuation of the luggage by two indifferent persons, and to take half the valuation so ascertained as salvage. ihe deputation thought that too much, and m law the salvors were only entitled to one-third.

His Honor would not begrudge one-half, if that would get over the difficulty. But it was really a part of the Relief Committee s duty to attend to the matter, and he telt some delicacy iu attempting to take it out of their hands. They having taken it up should be allowed to finish it. If the deputation liked he would, put himself ia communication with the Committee, and make them an offer. As a first step the injunction, should be taken off. He thought it a mistake to go to law, and had he been here would have protested against it. An amicable arrangement might have been come to without much difficulty. He would see Mr Martin, and try if it was possible to urge nun to apply whatever funds the committee had towards effecting an anjicable arrangement. He thought the matter had now come down to such a figure that the Governmeut would be warranted in making up the difference. EXTENSION OF CUMBERLAND STREET. A deputation from tho City Council, consisting of the Mayor and Cr. Ramsay, and from the Presbyterian Synod, consisting of iir® Rev. Mr Gillies, Mesbrs. J*’, B. Cargill Wales, and Smith, waited upon the Superintendent in reference to the extension of Cumberland street.

His Honor said he bad written to the Corporation a letter which placed the matter in its proper position. That letter was as follows : < February 12. Referring to the < subject of the interview the deputation had with me yesterday as regards the proposed extension of Cumberland street, I find on looking into the matter that the land referred to by the deputation is held by me upon trust as a site for the first or principal church of the Presbyterian Church of Otago.” With the consent of the Church Trustees there will be no difficulty, in as far as I am concerned, in carrying the street through the portion of the ground required, seeing that it would in no way interfere with the Church site. As it is likely that, at the instance of the Church Trustees, a Bill will be introduced at the next session of the Provincial Council to amend the Dunedin Church Lands Ordinance, 1801, probably .the Trustees may agree to the insertion of a clause, authorising the extension of the street in question, and I would suggest that the Cby Council put itself in communication with the Trustees accordingly. What objection had the Synod to granting the piece of Church property necessary to ca'-ry Cumberland street through ? The Rev. Mr Gillies : The Synod had no objection, only that it to:k away a large portion of the Church property, which was very valuable for leasing purpose?, and deprived of which the remaining portion was almost useless. The Church Trustees thought a piece of land in the hands of the Government should be given in exchange. His Honor said that idea was inadmissible. because the piece asked for was of great prospective value for gaol and other purposes.

Mr Cargill mentioned that neither the Church Trustees nor the Synod desired to stand in the way of what would be a great public improvement, but they had to deal with land which was strictly guarded bv statute His Honor would bring the matter before bis but in the face of repeated decisions on the subject he would not be justified in committing himself to anything. Would not the Church Trustees act liberally and allow a clause to be put in their proposed Bill saving this piece of land ? Mr Cargill again pointed out that the Trustees were pretty strictly bound. His Honor could not say anything against Mr Cargill’s argument, which was right fr >m his point of vi.tw. Although this street would be a great improvement, he did not think the Government were prepared to make the street and contribute towards it, which in effect they were asked to do. They could not give money without a vote, nor land without authority Tho Rev. Mr Gillies inquired if the Government were desirous of making a street through to tho railway station by Mr Hocken’s property. His Honor replied decidedly. He understood the matter was to have come before the Synod, The Rev. Mr Gillies replied that it had been. The Synod referred it to the committee, who last year agreed to the work. The matter had not been before the Synod this year. _ His Honor asked what tho Trustees considered an equivalent for the piece proposed to be taken for Cumberland street extention ? Mr Gillies : The corner that belonged originally to the Church. CT. Ramsay thought if the Corporation widened Princes street, it would be a sufficient quid pro quo, as it would enhance the value of the Church property twenty per cent. Mr Wales replied that they were satisfied with their Prince =t street property. His Honor : The trustees bad better be generous and agree at once to put a clause into the next < rdinance, which will settle the whole question. Mr Wales : It amounts to a loss of a revenue of L4UO a year. His Honor: it would he equally a loss of L4OO a year to the State, and it will be a question whether the street will be worth that to us.