THE PREMIER IN CHRISTCHURCH.

Globe, Volume IX, Issue 1256, 16 March 1878, Page 2

THE PREMIER IN CHRISTCHURCH.

Sir George Grey was engaged from eleven o'clock this morning at the Government Buildings receiving deputations from various public bodies. The following were some of the matters treated of : RECREATION GROUND AT SHEFFIELD. Mr Jebson represented to the Premier the fact that the land intended as a recreation reserve at Shefijeld had been taken as a school site. He urged upon the Premier the necessity of another grant for a domain being made. Sir George promised to have the matter seen to. NOETHBEN RAILWAY. A deputation, consisting of Messrs L. Harper, Willis, Charles Clark, C. F. Barker, and Bull, waited upon the Premier asking him to have surveys made for the purpose of carrying out the extension of the Northern Railway from the Imberley road station to Weka Pass, a distance of fifteen miles. The deputation pointed out tho advantages of the route proposedSir G cor g° thought the matter had been settled long ago. He promised to telegraph at once to Mr Macandrew, asking if the survey could be made, bearing in mind the importance of arranging to connect eventually with the line which is to come from Greymouth, on the West Coast. RAILWAYS IN CANTERBURY. Mr Montgomery and Hon. J. Hall waited on the Premier relative to Canterbury railways which bad been voted in the House during last session, but thrown out in the Upper House. Mr Macandrew hid promised to have them surveyed, but as yet the surveys had not been made, Sir'George promised to have the matter considered in the Executive Council at an early datei GOOD THMI'LARS. Mr Saunders introduced a deputation from the 1.0 G.T. Mr J. T. Smith read to Sir Geoyge an address calling attention to the evils of the liquor traffic, and urging him to advocate tho principle of local option in the proposed new Bill dialing with the licensing question. Sir George said he had not had an opportunity of seeing the new Bill. Mr Sheetian, he believed, proposed to equalise the fees throughout the oulony. If any step? were taken in the direction indicated, he would use his utmost exertions in the cause of sobriety. CHBISTCHUKCH CITY COUNCIL. A deputation fyoin the City Council, comprising his Worship the Mayor, Crs. Briggs, Bird, and Toomer, wnifcid on Sir George. His Worship said the deputation waited on Sir George to lay before hh» certain subjects. First of these was the endowment of Christchurch. Christ church had only some 2000 acres, whilst other municipalites were largely endowed —Christchurch only figuring for 100 acres at tho Sand Hills. The whole of the improvements of the rity had boen done by rates, and the rates paid at present amounted to 2s lid, and the new waterworks, new municipal buildings, &c, would raise the rates to at leu»ii as 6d in. the $, Xfeey liq 4 hq

land whereon to erect their new municipal offices, and the only plot they had was some 66 feet, which was inadequate. Sir George said he gathered from what the Mayor said that there were some sites in the town which would be available for the endowment.

His Worship said there was a site upon which the old Public Works office stood,which might be made available for the Municipal buildings. Sir George said that it was no use making any complaint unless they indicated the manner in which the Government could help the City Council. The Mayor said that the City Council wished the Government to grant them the site of the old Public Works Office as an endowment. They also desired to know if there was any arrangement which might be made with the Government for the acquiring of the whole block of the Government Buildings. Sir George Grey said that if his Worship would put what the Council wanted in writing, the Government would consider it. His Worship said he would do so. The next question was that of a cattle market. The site had been sold, and this was about nine acres, whilst the one now in use was about five.

Sir George thought this was a subject which should be referred to the County Council.

His Worship said that there was a great portion of the Sandhills lying between the Waimakariri and the sea that had been reserved from sale. Now this might be of great use for the municipalities, &c, upon which to deposit nightsoil. Sir George thought that a good deal of this could be used for recreation purposes. His Worship said that by using the site for night soil it would make the land most valuable.

Sir George said he would make enquiries as to the subject. His Worship said that the City Council desired to know whether, if the Government could not make arrangements for the transfer of the whole block of the Government buildings, they would be disposed to grant the control and use of the Council Chamber. At present the City Council had no place to meet in, and it was felt that it was a great pity that such a splendid room Bhould be left unused.

Sir George said he was thinking whether the room could not be utilised for a grand free public reading room. However, he would lay the matter before the Cabinet.

His Worship here introduced Mr J. V. Ross, the chairman of the Local Board of Health. ,

The Mayor said the next subject was the matter of the dispensing with the services of the analyst. He would read Sir George a statement of the work done by the analyst, by which he would see that his services had been of a very useful character. Sir George said that he supposed it was a question of who should pay the salary. Would the Municipal body be prepared to do this.

His Worship said that he was not prepared to go that far in this matter at present. Sir George then said the matter should be considered. It was done, he believed, before the present Government came into office. His Worship then brought under the notice of the Premier the fact that the Christchurch Hospital was not endowed, whilst those of other provinces were. Sir George said that he had to meet the medical profession shortly, and they had raised a most important question, which was as to the Hospital being a medical school and its staff acting as lecturers, &c, having their students going round with them. He might say that the Government would do its utmost to place the Hospital upon a proper footing. So far as he was concerned, he felt great interest in the subject, and no doubt his colleagues did also. The Mayor said that he desired to bring under the notice of the Premier the necessity for the Government considering the recommendations of the Conference of Mayors recently held at Wellington as to amendments in the Municipal Corporations Act. Sir George said that the Government would consider this matter. The deputation then retired. SYDENHAM BOROrJGH COT/NCTt. A deputation from the Sydenham Borough Council was next introduced, comprising his Worship the Mayor, Crs. Vennal, Hall, Charters, Whitelaw, Scott, and Buiton. His Worship the Mayor said that at the meeting of the Council the following address had been arranged for presentation. The: town clerk would now read it. Mr Cuthbert, town clerk, read the following address : Borough Council office, Sydenham, March 16th, 1878. To the Hon. Sir G. Grey, Premier of New Zealand. Sir,—We, the Mayor and Council of the borough of Sydenham, desire, on our own behalf and on that of the burgesses we represent, to give you a cordial welcome on this your visit amongst us. Although as a borough we are only in the first year of our existence, yet us you have the presence of the Bon. J. T. Fisher (one of the representatives of the district) we hope you will avail yourself of the opportunity of visiting us, and studying its cliims in reference to any faturc division off the electoral districts. Should you deem it advisable to address the electors of this borough, we shall be most happy to make the best arrangements in our power for your doing so. Without further remark al'ow us to express the earnest wish that under your guidance the Legislative measures that may be adopted in the colony will be conductive to the best interests of the people, socially and cocamercially. Pur and on behalf of the Sydenham Borough Council. J. Booth, Mayor. W. Cuthbert, Town Clerk. . Sir George Grey said that he felt very grateful for the address which had been presented to him. He was sorry that the pressure on his time would not allow of his addressing them. Had the Council any subject upon which they wished to address him ? Messrs Whitelaw and Hall asked Sir George if he could make it convenient to Tisit the Colombo street School. Sir George Grey said if he remained in Christchurch he would visit the school on Monday at 10 30 a.m. He took the very greatest interest in the cause of education. His Worship the Mayor said that he desired! to thank Sir George tor the courteous reception the Council had met with. The deputation then withdrew. HOSPITAL. The Premier visited the Hospital this afternoon, and was met there by the members of the medical staff, with whom he conferred as to Ho:-1 vital management, the formation of a medical school, ifcc