DEPUTATION FROM MANAWATU TO MINISTERS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5329, 26 April 1878, Page 6

DEPUTATION FROM MANAWATU TO MINISTERS.

A deputation of gentlemen from Palmerston North, consisting of the Mayor, Mr. G. M. Snelsou, Mr. Linton, and the member for the district, Mr. W. W. Johnston, waited upon the Ministry, by appointment, on Wednesday last, to advocate the most pressing claims of the district. Mr, Johnston acted as spokesman. The first subject introduced was the appointment of an engineer to report upon the best route to be adopted for the continuance of the Hutt-Waikauae railway through the Manawatu County, and to decide where the junction should be made with the existing railway there. In reply to the deputation, the Premier stated that an engineer would he sent to tho district to report and prepare estimates of the cost of tho proposed lino, to bo submitted to Parliament. The second topic introduced was the subject of _ the formation of roads in the district of Fitzherbert. The deputation pointed out that there was not a single yard of read made in this important district ; that there was a large amount of agricultural laud uusurveyed and unsold in the hands of the Government, and in order to make this available for settlement, it was absolutely necessary that roads should be made; and that the local governing bodies for want of means were powerless to assist. They also reminded tho Minister for Public Works that this matter had been favorably considered by the Hon. Mr. Laruach, who promised to place a sum of £IOOO on the Estimates for this by accident it had been overlooked. _ The Hon. Mr. Macaudrew considered the claim deserving the attention of the Ministry, hut regretted their inability from want of money _to do anything at tho present time. The question of the special settlement at Taouui was then brought under the notice of the Minister of Lauds, who was referred to the resolution passed by the provincial Waste Lauds Board, that road lines and drains should ho cut in bush districts before offering the laud for selection. The Hon. Mr. Ballauce said that he attached groat importation to the proposition, and considered it a question affecting the whole of tho proposed bush settlements of tho colony, and that Parliament next session would he asked to vote special sums to carry out this principle. Tho subject of the inland road from Otaki to Eoxtou was named, and for which a vote was passed last session. The Minister for Lauds replied that _ the County Council had that mail been written to, asking them to undertake the work, and that the Government would honor their cheques to the extent of half tho vote passed. The deputation expressed their thanks to Ministers for the courtesy and attention shown them, and then withdrew.