THE MINISTERS IN SOUTHLAND.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1548, 4 February 1879, Page 3

THE MINISTERS IN SOUTHLAND.

[Press Sj»eei;ai Ware.] In veiicaiici ll. ii, February 3. Deputations were receiv 'd by Ministers on Saturday, but the Press knew nothing about them till afterwards. At 1 p.m. the Municipal Council waited on Mr Stout re the endowment of 1100 acres at Seaward Hush asking that it might be Crown granted to the Waste ands Boa d. Mr Stout said instructions to that effect should be given 'I he Minister was also asked to reserve a site on the Public Buildings Reserve fo a Town Hull, and he expressed himself favorabl i to the House passing a short Act to give effect to the wish of the deputation. He also expressed himself favorably disposed to a site being selected on

which to or-.ct a Courthouse. He was not in favor of the present Custom-house being convert ?d into a Courthouse During the day Mr .Stout drove down to the jetty and expresed himself highly pleased with the river. He had no doubt at some future day it wo dd bo quite practicable to bring the whole of the shipping to Invercargill. The excessive charges levied as terminal rates at the railway station were brought under Mr Ballanee's notice, and he promised to explain the matter to the Minister for Public Works. The question of the rabbit bonus was brought before thi> Minister. It was explained that the bonus promise i on the shipment of skins had Hot yet been paid. Mr Ballanee said the money would be handed over to the shippers pro rata as far as it would go, and, if it was thought advisable., the House woald next session be asked to vote an additional sum. Mr Ballanee, in reply to a deputation said the running of the mails would be so altered as to allow of two mails being received and despatched from Dunedin to Invercargill. Ministers promised to inspect the gaol before leaving. With regard to the Hospital, Mr Ballanee promised that if the committee would raise .£SOO the Government would vote an additional ,£SOO to allow of additions to the building being made. Messrs Ballanee and Stout visited Rivcrton, and returned this evening. At Rivcrton a deputation waited on them, with a request that the County Council should be invested with additional borrowing powers. Mr Ballanee replied that it was proposed to place County Councils in the same position as municipalities, that is to give them unlimited borrowing power, subject to the sanction of the ratepayers.