Ohinemuri.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 2140, 12 November 1875, Page 2

Ohinemuri.

(feom a cobbkspondent.)

MACKAYTOWN. : <> November 11th. The Visit of the Eon. Dr. Pollen.

Though the visit of the Hon. Dr. Pollen was quite unexpected and took all by surprise, nevertheless the inhabitants of this district" readily availed themselves of the opportunity afforded them of expressing their wants. Early this morning numbers arrived from the mines, and those, together with the residents of Mackaytown, assembled at the courthouse at 10 a.m., which was the time appointed by him for receiviog them, and ascertaining the requirements of the district. A, petition embodying matter rela tive to the-Waitekauri road; extension of; telegraph; &c, was soon prepared. Mr W. McCloughen was appointed to present clt. Mr A.sJ..Ailom;; Mining Registrar, then introduced the Premier to-thosre present, and stated that ;itifwas his desire to be, made acquainted with our most immediate wants,- with the view of assisting to develope the mineral and agricultural resources of a new and

important district. Mr W. McCloughen then read 'and presented the following petition :-—

■" To tike Honorable Da Pollenl Premier

of the Colony of New Zealand

" Honoeabliß Sib—We, residents of the Ohinemuri Goldfield, beg to thank you for the honor conferred iipon us bypaying us this visit, and-feel that it is; the desire of your Government to give their attention to even the moat isolated part of the Colony, ; :.:: ". Since this goldfieldl was iopened great difficulty has been experienced owing, to the want oiP roads, and. the sum which hat been granted for this purpose is found to b« totally inadequatev.to our necessities ; we therefore beg to-lay: before you the following facts. -

"I. That it is an absolute necessity that a road should be at once formed for the conveyance of the heavy machinery waiting transportation to the Waitekauri minja^iistrict. " 2, ThaT*si!tefe*^^ only serve a local purpose, but would also serve as an ■extension of the, main trunk line of road from the Thames to the East Coast via Mackaytown, the" Stewart settlement, and Tauranga. „.

" 3. That such a ro^d would also serve as a means,of opening up rich agricultural lands through, which it would pass, and tend to induce settlement thereon.' . .

" We therefore think that we can fairly ask you to augment the sum provided by the Provincial Government by such an amount as will carry so very desirable a work to a satisfactory issue. , -..,.;"/ ' " We also beg that the telegraph may be extended to this place, the distance to where it might be connected with existing lines being very small." . .

Jle then remarked that the mm which the Provincial Government had at their disposer was only about £400j which"was not sufficient; at the same time he would state that it would not require anything like the sum estimated by Captain Turner in his report, the residents hero having since formed a line presenting much less difficulty than that which he reported on. They believed that a couple of thousand pounds would open a good line of communication not only with a rich mineral and agricultural district, but also enable the settlers to convey their produce to the Thames market at a payable rate, and so increase the,revenue as to amply repay the i Government' for such an outlay. Dr Pollen replied that he was pleased to meet them here. He said—l need hardly tell you that I have always taken great interest in goldfields matters. I was at the opening of the Thames Gojdfield, and even Coroinandel many years previously. It is quite plear that roads are required, and that it is the duty of some Government to construct them; and I think that the '

Colouial Government may-fairly unite with the Provincial in making this roadit being one of the main trunk linetiof thr colony—independent of its being necessary for local purposes. I quite agree with you that the stim of £400 will'fa insufficient; and I think it is the duty of the Colonial Government to help and forward the interest of the mining com- " munity as far as lies in their power, - although it is no part of their administration to do so. I have been' but id see' the country this morning, and' find that it would be a colonial benefifrtbhave such a road made, and you 'may 2 rely'upon it that thir matter'will hawmy- attentioft; I will on my arrival in Auckland make it my business to see His, Honor tke Superintendent in reference to the matter. I am tolttUnd-iiave every relwffto'beiietW that the road you want is practicable, but ihat is a matter which- must be decided by engineering authority."" Alluding .to the telegraph, I may ia-** form you that it has been under the capf sideration of the Government for some time, and the difficulty has.been in deciding where the centre of populationjs likely to be. It is not theeoftfeft material or construction which is causrag the delay, but the maintenance of-twot': staffs which would .be required j but as soon as it is clearlyrihowj^where the most central place* Wotfl^Ce^aM^lSbst convenient to the mining community t3<L time would be lost in extending the line. Mr Lipsey asKed for a-wire bridge over the Ohinemuri river, and s was referred to,, the Provincial Engineer/that being purely a provincial matter. '■*•"" '"' 1 Mr A; Porter rfilfe*Jif thete\'W*»-aßy reason to cause delay in -the bringing. into operation of the Gold Mining;Di«^ tricts Act of 1870; ..-,- r - Dr Pollen replied that there was no obstacle, and it was only necessary to request' His Honor the Sup^rmiradefl&tQf have it brought into operation;' -'■ "iV Mr A. Porter asked what were the_ necessary steps to take to get a polling booth here for the forthcoming electiop? Dr Pollen replied that that matterlay, in the hands of the officer r .who finds out where they.arenece'sßary'ano^ recommendsthem to the Govempr.. The Government" Executive. doTnot^ thtta^ selves interfere at all., V \ " ' •'> '' A vote of thanks was given tq'thft Doctor, And the deputation withirtwv.^ ' Three hearty eh^ers were then givwajto him, and he started for Pseroe>r wheijft further deputations were in waiting^ibr him.