DEPUTATIONS.

Evening Star, Issue 3712, 15 January 1875, Page 2

DEPUTATIONS.

AWAMOKA tramway. This morning, at eleven o’clock, a deputation, consisting of Messrs Borton and French, of Oamaru, waited on' his Honor the Superintendent to draw attention to the necessity ef pushing forward the tramway to Awamoka Mr Borton stated that he had hoped to have had-the assistance of Dr Webster in bis interview with his Honor, but that gentleman was ibliged to leave town, and was therefore unable to accompany him. Five or six other gentlemen were deputed to attend, but some were engaged in 1 'ourt, and the rest bad not joined himself and his friend. Their object in waiting upon his Honor was to endeavor to induce the Government to press the contractor for the Awarnoko Tramway to go on a little faster, so as to lave it ready for traffic in time for farmers to use . it for conveyance of their next harvest’s grain to market. The Government had taken half the road for constructing the railway ; the road was narrow enough before, but would now be wholly inadequate to the truffle, which would be double tuat of last winter. The Superintendent said he had no reason to suppose the tramway would not be ready long before the main line would be ready. Mr Borton did not think so. The Superintendent asked when the 'main line would be ready. Mr Borton said in a fortnight or three weeks. His Honor said, two mails ago information was received that a Farlie engine had been shipped for the use of the line. Unfortunately the orders given had not been complied with, and consequently, it was to be feared the weight of the engine was greater than it should be for the rails ; but, notwithstanding that, as it would have to go there, they would have to make the best of it. Did Mr Borton know how for the line was advanced ? Mr Borton said the rails and sleepers were down nearly to Awamoko. If the ballasting were done it would be sufficient. His Honor said he spoke to Mr Proudfoot. the contractor, as to the necessity for having the hue ready, and he assured him it would be ready shortly after he had got an engine for ballasting. Mr Borton said there was very little time to spare, especially as the smaller farmers did not stack their corn, but thrashed it out and took it t" market immediately after cutting it. He understood the contract time for laying the rails was the end of November. The Superintendent could not say, but he believed what was wanted was a locomotive to forward the ballasting, and it was satisfactory to know it was at hand. Mr Borton: But in the meantime the contractor might be laying down the rails. The Superintendent said that was his business. He told him (the Superintendent) he would set a locomotive of his own on to tb« work. Mr Borton said Mr Sumpter told him one could be got from Wellington, His Honor did not think so, for all their w C °n o iu es t - here werfc P r «tty well engaged. He had been in communication with the Gene-

RJr Borton, after some further remarks, said that as about 6,000 tons would hare to psn over the road, if the train road was not finished, great damage would be done to it. It would be some satisfaction to their injured feelings if . Honor would insist on the contractor's paymg the full penalty for non-completion of hia work in oontraet time. His Honor was not sure be had not fulfilled it, but the matter should be attended to.

QUEENSTOWN ATHENAEUM. tut j ® ev * P‘ Hoss, and Messrs Mallaghan, Wanders, and Powell waited upon his Honor to ask for a site for building an Athenaeum on one or the reserves.

The Rev. D. Robb laid before his Honor tracings of several sites which the deputation considered eligible. He said at present the library in their possession was of no use, as the books could not be unpacked, and a box of geo* logical specimens sent by Captain Hutton was m the same position. The idea was to build a room in such a situation as to add to the beauty of the public buildings to be constructed, and architectural designs, showing how that could be accomplished, had bean pro*

The deputies, at some length, explained their Views by reference to the tracings, and his Honor said ho would mats the necessary inquiries and communicate the result to Mr Bow. In the course of the conversation Mr Powell 8 » 0t of . BU PP^ in S the Queenstoim district with immigrants, and remarked that farm servants and domestic servants worn much wanted.

, H V* Honor said a number of immigrant* should bo sent up to Queenstown as soon a* bad not be ®* nominated. Ho asked what house accommodation there was, aa most probably those who were forwarded to Queenstown would be mairied persons In reply, Mr Mandkss said they had better fibers at *° Q ffeneraU y than the Taieri

to ma<Je in reference 4 .? ate A n Wltb wblcb lt waß proposed to tbe The deputation said it h mffi Bed to .V ulld of . stone, in order that it might be umform with the Government structures. His Honor recommended contbeJ material. He wa* pleased with the cottages now going m> th^woS g ’ WaS f ° UDd t0 W