REPORT OF THE DEPUTATION.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 249, 1 October 1884, Page 2

REPORT OF THE DEPUTATION.

The Chairman, at a meeting of the two Councils last evening, read the following report signed by Mr, Chambers and Captain Porter. Gisborne, 30th Sept. To the Chairman of the Conference, Sir, —In the absence of Mr. Rees, one of the delegates appointed by the Conference, we do not think it advisable to make a fo’ tnal repart at the present time, and would therefore ask you to accept the following as a brief outline of the work done by your delegates. Harbor Bill. On our arrival in Wellington we at once interviewed Sir George Grey and Mr. Locke. The Bill was then revised and re-printed, and notice given of the second reading by Sir George Grey, some little trouble was experienced in passing the Bill through the local bills committee. This, however, was overcome, and the Bill has now passed successfully the second reading without amendment and promises to pass successfuly through the various other necessary Parliamentary stages. Your delegates jointly and severally used whatever influence they possessed in getting members of both Houses to support the Bill, and the favorable result so far shows they were to a large extent successful. Petition. It was decided to present the petition to both Houses, and a duplicate copy was engrossed. Mr. Locke was entrusted with the one to the House of Representatives, and Sir G. S. Whitmore very willingly undertook the custody of the one to the Legislative Council. Select Committees in both Houses were moved for and appointed, who agreed to report jointly, and it was resolved that evidence should be given before one committee only. That of the Legislative Council sat first, and Messrs. Rees and Chambers gave evidence containing full and important statistical details of the resources and wants of the district. Evidence of other well-known settlers is being taken, and your delegates feel assured the report of the joint committee will be favorable to the district. The gross neglect and inattention of former Governments to our just demands will be laid before Parliament, and the importance of our district be no longer ignored. Captain Porter had to return to Gisborne before his evidence was taken, but by doing so was enabled to give the other members valuable information and statistical aid only obtainable in Gisborne. Turanganui Bridge.

Your delegates interviewed Ministers (Messrs. Stout and Richardson, the Premier and Minister of Public Works) and although they held out small hope of there being any money for distribution under the Roads and Bridges Construction Act, they promised to obtain it as a special grant for Public Works. Deeds Registry Office and Court House. The Government have not funds at disposal to promise the erec’ion of Court buildings at present, but a Deeds Registry Office will be established in the Government Buildings. Native Land Court. We urged upon the Hon. the Native Mini c . ter a more frequent sitting of the Court in the district, and he promised to make speedy arrangements to carry the lecommendation into effect. Mr. Locke introduced a Native Lands Amendment Bill which we think would meet the requirements of the district, and we endeavored to get support for Ihe Bill, but we reg et io say in this the members of your deputation were not in accord. Railways, Or tramways for roadmaking, <frc., were urged upon Government, but no definite action will be taken by the Government till the report of the Select Committee is laid before Ihe House. In fact, the success or otherwise of your delegates visit, will in a great measure depend upon the report of the Committee. We do, however, feel confident that whatever the purport of that report may be, your deputation, by facts and figures, have indisputably raised the status of this district in the eyes of members of both Houses, as a centre of financial and political importance. In Conclusion, We beg to acknowledge the very great service rendered by Sir George G-ey and Mr. Locke, who gave us’assistance in all matters, their combined aid separate influence having tendeied largely to the attainment of the objects sought by the depiita r 'on. Sir Geo ge Whitmore also e ;e c'sed his sl -o ig i >flueace in assisting the wa ’’s of the dist let, and is now watching the we’fa 'e of our measines in the Upper House. The Gove ouient nUo met your •It egaies ve y favo ab’y and promised not to oppose if they could not actively support our application.