DEPUTATIONS.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 2060, 30 September 1880, Page 3

DEPUTATIONS.

Two deputations waited on the Premier on "Wednesday at the Selwyn County Council Offices. The first of these comprised Messrs 8,. Allan, J. P. Jameson, O. P. Hulbert and C. Hall, who waited on the Premier as a deputation from the Industrial Association. The first matter brought under the notice of Mr Hall was the claim of Christchuroh to be the locale of an Australasian exhibition, if such a one were projected. Mr Hall promised that this should be considered by the Q-JVemmen?, though of course he could give no definite promise on the matter. The deputation then brought forward the subject of the report of t e Royal Commission on Local Industries, expressing a hope that the report would not be simply pigeon-holed, but that the Government would see their way clear to carry the recommendations contained therein into practical effect. The subjects of the reduction of rail charges on local products, such as pottery, &0., and also the bringing into work a technical school of science, were also touched upon. The Premier pointed out, with regard to the latter item, that the Canterbury College had this matter in hand, and suggested that a letter should be written to the Board of Governors with respect to it. The next point touched upon was tbe suggestion made by the Royal Commission that somebody should be appointed to report to the Government upon the working of local industries and the manner in which tbe disabilities under which they labored could be relieved by Government assistance. The Premier said this was a very valuable suggestion, and thought that the Industrial Associations throughout the colony would be the best bodies to undertake the work. If the deputation would lay the various subjects touched upon by them in the course of the interview before the Government by letter they should receive attention. The Government were intending shortly to consider the report o f the Royal Commission, when the suggestions made by the deputation should receive consideration.

The deputation then retired. The second deputation introduced to the Premier was on the subject of getting a subsidy from the Government towards the payment of the liability existing on account of the late Volunteer Review.

The deputation comprised Major Lean, Captains Slater (0.Y.0.), Craig (Artillery), Warner (Engineers), and Hawkes (City Guards). Major Lean said he bad to apologise for the absence of Colonel. Packe, who had been unavoidably prevented from being present. They desired, in the first place, to before the Premier the unfortunate state of the review committee with regard to the finances. The review held in Obristohurch had, as the Premier was doubtless aware, been carried out similarly to those in Dunedin and Invercargill. To these he believed the Government had contributed something, and he thought that they might very fairly ask the Government to assist them, because the smaller number invited the larger, and therefore the Government benefited by the number of persons congregated together. Captain Craig, the treasurer of the review committee, laid the balance-sheet before the Premier, showing a debit of £342 12s 2d on the whole account. They had been threatened with proceedings individually and collectively, so that they came to the Government now to ask their help. The largest item in the aooount was for billowing the men. Major Lean pointed out that the review had brought together a large number of persons hero ; besides, he would desire to call Mr Hall's attention to the fact that their capitation allowance had been cut off, so that they could not ask the companies themselves to subscribe.

Captain Hawkes said that the companies had not expected to find their capitation allowance cut off, so were mostly in debt. Mr Hall asked how muoh of the debit balance was incurred by the ball ? Captain Craig said that there was a deficiency on that account of £IOO, but this included some permanent improvements to the drill shed.

Major Lean said that there had boen money spent on the Drill Shod, which would improve it. Mr Hall Baid, under more flourishing circumstances he would at once- soy that the Government would favorably consider the matter, but all ho oouid say was that the Government would go into the matter, and if there was any money to spare out of the dofence vote they would consider the question as put before them by the doputacion. But the gentlemen present must remembor that tho Government was obliged to cavry out a rigid system of economy. Personally, so far as he was concerned, he would be glad if he could see bis way clear to help tho committee, but it was a matter for the Government, as a whole, to look into ; and as Colonel Beader had had the accounts, &c, forwarded to him, he (Mr Hall) would bring the matter under tho notico of his colleagues immediately on his return to Wellington. This was all he could promise to do. The deputation having thanked Mr Hall, retired,