Deputation to Son. F. Whitaker.

Thames Star, Volume XI, Issue 3678, 8 October 1880, Page 2

Deputation to Son. F. Whitaker.

His Worship the Major, Crs McGowan, Wilson, Osborne and Dean, Town Clerk, waited upon the Hod. F. Whitaker this morning.

His Worship the Mayor said that the Borough Council, taking advantage of his presence, desired to direct his attention to the fact that as a vote of £10.000 bad been passed last session for goldfields roads, the Council considered they had a claim for a portion of it. He referred to the exceptional position of the Thames Municipality, as every road in it might be called a goldfields road, and nearly all the wear and tear was caused by the traffic of quartz to the batteries on the flat. Mr Whitaker said that in the first place be was hot fully aware of the intentions of his colleagues* in asking for this rote, and in the next it was a matter that he was not called upoa to interfere with. He was only on the Thames at present at the request of a Minister to inquire into some special business, and that when on such duty he was previously well informed on the subject by having all the papers sent to him. With reference to the request of the Council he could not speak authoritativly upon it, but if a letter were sent him by the Council setting forth the claim he would be most happy to forward it to his colleague. ' A GBANT FOB THE LIBBABY. Mr McGowan, as a member of the Library Committee, said that after the remarks made by Mr Whitaker to this request of the Mayor he did not know how to approach the subject he wished to bring under notice... He was well aware that Mr Whitaker had always taken a great interest in Mechanics' Institutes and libraries, and therefore trusted that the wishes of the deputation would be responded to. The Government had he und.rstod given a number of valuable pictures and photographs to the Auckland library, and he would ask a similar favor on behalf of the Thames- Free Library. The people of the Thames were the first to take advantage of the Public Libraries' Act, but owing to the peculiar circumstances of the place, the rates collected were scarcely sufficient to cover the necessary outlay. Mr Whitaker said he would make enquiries, and if any photos, pictures, &c, were in stock similar to those given to the Auckland Library, he would procure a set for the Thames. He would also visit the library this afternoon, and see for himself what was wanted.

The deputation: thanked Mr Whitaker and withdrew.