DEPUTATION TO THE MINISTER FOR PUBLIC WORKS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 5741, 23 August 1879, Page 3

DEPUTATION TO THE MINISTER FOR PUBLIC WORKS.

In compliance with a resolution passed at a meeting of the City Council on Thursday night, a deputation, consisting of his Worship the Mayor (Mr. Hutchison), and Councillors Thompson, Logan, Alien, and Maginoity, waited upon the Hon. Mr. Macandrew, Minister for Public Works, at Government Buildings yesterday morning. The Mayor, who acted as spokesman, after referring to correspondence which had taken place between himself and the Minister on the subject of the unemployed, said that the object of the deputation was to impress upon the hon. gentleman that, considering the large number of men at present out of employment, and that six weeks at least must elapse before the work upon the West Coast railway, for which tenders had been called, could be entered upon, it was desirable to give employment at once to as many men as possible on day labor on parts of the line where it was possible. He had noticed that after passing Kaiwarra the line only required hard pick and shovel work, without any great expense or supervision. The City Council were wishful that the Government should do their best to relieve the present distress by giving employment to as many as possible in this or any other way. Mr, Macandrew said he was sorry to hear that so many persons were unemployed. He had no idea of it until he received Mr. Hutson’s letter. The Mayor said it was creditable to the men that they had made no outcry. Only those who mixed with them could tell what the facts were.

Mr. MacaNDREW said it was absolutely necessary to wait for the tenders, which had been hurried on as much as possible, and moreover they would absorb all the funds which were at present available. How many unemployed were there ? Councillor Maginnitt : About 390. The Corporation have employed eighty or ninety stone-breaking, and to-day they are taking on more for street work.

Mr. Macandbew : I do not think the part of the line beyond that for which tenders are called is ready. There is the contract on the Masterton line ; some of them might be employed there. The Mayor and Councillor Thompson said they had heard it stated that no more hands could be taken on that contract.

Mr. Macandrew : You surprise me when you say there are 300 unemployed. I will send for Mr. Blackett and ask him how things stand.

Mr. Blackett was sent for, and Mr. Maoandrew asked him to state to the deputation whether any works were sufficiently forward to be entered on at once, Mr. Blackett said the tenders called for .must at least be advertised for six weeks, as it was a big job. As to the section beyond, they were now having new survey lines run out, ’ with the object of saving expense, so that the route was not absolutely settled. There was • the Carterton contract, but the line was at present under water. He thought in two or three weeks employment for about 50 might be found there, and then there was another mile beyond Masterton which they might prepare. The Mayor : Gould you not get ready the section beyond Kaiwarra ? Mr. Blackett : Not for several days.

Mr. Macandrew said though all the funds legally available would be taken up by the contracts now called for it would perhaps be possible to get over the money difficulty, even if they were called over the coals again. (Laughter.) The whole question was ■ how soon could Mr. Blackett have the third section ready. Mr. Blackett : That will take time to consider. It will not do to have the work done and then have to pull it to pieces. Mr. Macandrew said he was certainly willing to do what he could to meet the smergency. He, was in hopes that the estimate of 300 might be found excessive. The Mayor : You would hear it stated at 1000 outside. Mr. Blackett said he would do what he could to get the third section ready. Mr. Macandrew ; There is also the section beyond Carterton. Get steam on, Mr. Blackett, and put work on that third line, or anywhere else yon can. Some further conversation between the members of the deputation and Mr. Macandrew and Mr. Blackett took place, in which the availableness of railway works on the West Coast was discussed, but it was agreed that these were too distant, though Mr. Macandrew said he was inclined to believe that a demand for men existed there.

Councillor Maginnity : While we are here, we might ask the honorable gentleman whether it is not possible to call for tenders for the new Post Office and Telegraph Office. The Mayor : Or it they would only go on with the Court House. Mr. Macandrew said he could not make any promise about these works. There was a Post Office.

The Mayor : There’s a shed. (Laughter.)

Mr. Macandrew said he wished to correct a statement which had been made to the effect that Wellington had been badly treated in the matter of public works. As a matter of fact the contrary was the case, and he had been called over the coals fer so much money being spent in. Wellington. The actual figures showed that £420,000, or one-fourth of the whole public works expenditure for the year ending 30th June last had been incurred in Wellington district. This did not include the Supreme Conrt, bat took in the wharf, A Councillor replied that it was the city which had been neglected. The deputation then thanked Mr. Macandrew for his courtesy and withdrew.