DEPUTATIONS TO THE PREMIER.

Grey River Argus, Volume XII, Issue 1110, 17 February 1872, Page 2

DEPUTATIONS TO THE PREMIER.

AtGilmer's Hotel, yesterday, hvo deputations waited upon the Hon. W. Fox. The first was the Borough Council, headed by the Mayor. All the members were present. After the usual introductions had been made,. . . The Mayor said the Council waited upon him in order to express their thanks for the warm interest which had been taken by the members of the Government in the calamity which had overtaken this town— an interest far beyond their expectations. They also felt grateful for the speedy manner in which he had come to their assistance. He had informed his brother Councillors that all that could be done to place the works on a permanent footing for the projection of the town would be done, and that the services of the Government Engineer had been obtained. He had also informed them that these works would be carried out in three sections ; the first, as the railway works, out of the General Government money ; the second, from the funds of the Native Reserve ; and the third, by the Corporation. In order to raise the funds for the third section, we have proposed to appropriate the tonnage' and wharfage dues of the port, but this, you have informed me, cannot be done. I have also told them that there is a possibility of our getting the Coal Reserve on the south side of the Grey River, in which; case there would be no difficulty in raising the necessary funds ; and should that fail they would just have to raise a loan, if the General Government would take up their debentures. They had no intention, on that occasion, to touch upon any other than Municipal matters, because a deputation from the citizens would shortly wait upon him. The Hon. Mr Pos said it gave him much satisfaction and pleasure to meet the members of the Borough Council, and he regretted that circumstances had compelled him to make their acquaintance after the disaster which had befallen the town. He had no intention of being here so early, as he intended to have gone through the reefing districts ; but when he received the distressing information both from the Mayor and County Chairman, he thought it was better' to be on the spot as early as possible, as whatever sympathy or assistance was to be given under the circumstances, the earlier it was given the better. Since he had come here he had endeavored to make the best arrangements poj^ible, t Hnder the circumstances to (jaye toe remainder of the town from destruction, but they had not yet completed these arrangements, beyond to the extent mentioned. The first «ix chains of the work from the top of the town formed a portion of the railway works undertaken by the Government, and would be gone on with actively until completed. There was no fear of any interruption taking place in that work, and when completed it would effectually protect that portion of the town from further encroachments of the river. Then for the second section LIOOO would come out of the Native Reserve Fudd, and perhaps some more, which would carry the work furthsr down to the point where the third section commenced, which left L4OOO to bo provided for by the Borough Council to protect the town further down. The General Government would be willing vto give their assistance for the purpose of raising this money, upon receiving any tangible security which the Municipality was in a pDsition to give. He was enquiring into the matter at present, in order to see h6w it could be arranged to the satisfaction of all parties; but the members of the Government were so scattered in various parts pf the Colony that' it was difficult fpr him to say anything definite on this point. He had been in communication with his colleagues on the subject, and Mr Reeves, who was now Resident Minister of Pnblic Works for the Middle Island, would be over here soon, and he thought that no definite arrangements would be .come to until his arrival. He was to leave Christchurch for Hokitika next Tuesday; meantime he (Mr Fox) would visit Reefton, and if necessary would return here ; and he hoped that when they met again they would be able to have .everything definitely arranged for the carrying out of the whole scheme of permanent works. He assumed them tha the Government had every sympathy with them, and would stretch every point to secure the permanent protection of the town. Theyhad every confidence in the resources of this district, and he thought the town bids fair to be the metropolis of the Gold Fields of the Middle Island. With its resources it had a bright future before it. In tha event of any delay taking place in the settlement of the matters to which he had referred, he could assure them that it was not through unwillingness to hand over the money. They must remember that the moneys at the disposal of the Government were tied up by appropriations of the Assembly ; but they could rest satisfied that every effort would be made* and every point stretched to do what had been asked of them to save the town. He regretted that no member of the Government had previously visited this district, as he thought it would have been better for both if the Government had a better knowledge of the circumstances and requirements of the mining interest of the island ; but they were no longer in that unfortunate position. Ever since the present Government came into office, they had been short?handed, and what with the occasional absence pf Ministers in England and elsewhere," the Ministers who remained in the Golony had as it were been working double turns.' But, now they had added to their number by the addition of Mr Reeves, who would act chiefly as Ministerf.or Public Works, andhe hoped this would be the means of bringing i

the Government into closer relations within terests which formerly were beyond/itsknowledge. Tlie opinion had frequently been expressed thatVa. Secretary for the Gold Fields should be appointed, who would look after the interests of the whole jof the Gold Fields of the Colony. It was found difficult to obtain accurate opinions on Gold Fields questions from the gentle* men who represented these districts in the Assembly. MrHaughton had consequently been appointed) .and it was to beheped that the Government in future would be -kept better informed on all matters relating to the Gold Fields] Mr Haughton was well known on the .Gold Fields of the Colony, as well as in his capacity of member of the Provincial Council of Otagn, and member of the Assemblyt He was thoroughly acquainted with all the wants of : a : mining community, and it was expected that his appointment would have a very beneficial effect throughout the Colony. With regard to the opening up of the country, he thought the formation of the two large . roads to connect Grey mouth and Westport with Reef ton 'would have an enormous effect for good on this "place, by opening up a large track of agricultural and mining country. All that waswanted to make this a thriving place was individual energy and individual capital, and it appeared to him that both were here. With coal and. gold pouring into Grey-, month, he hoped, to live to see it one of the most prosperous cities in New Zealand. •' ' ".;.■.. .... ' ■: ■'■'■■■■'■"■ ■:■]■■■'-' •-■•• <■—■•' The deputation then withdrew.