The Hon. A. J. Cadman, Minister of Mines, accompanied by his private secre tory (Mr Wilson), Mr H. Gordon, In specting Engineer of the Mines Depart ment, and Mr James McGowan, M.H.R. for the Thames, arrived here about 7.30 o'clock last evening from Coromandel. The hon. gentleman, who is staying at the Pacific Hotel, was waited upon until •bout midnight by various deputations, those of public interest being as follows:— THAMES BOROUGH COUNCIL. Mr McGowan introduced the Mayor «p,d Town Clerk. The Mayor stated that he, with the Town Clerk, waited upon Mr Cadrrmn in consequence of an intimation, conveyed in a letter received from the Coloniul Secretary's office that he would be pre pared to deal with the claims of the Borough Council for waier supplied to the Government offices. ' At the request of the Mayor the 1 own Clerk gave the following history of the claims. He said that up to the time of the repeal of the Crown and Native Lauds Eating Act the annual water rate •mounted to £11 4s 6d per annum, and •fter the repeal of that Act in 1888 the Commissioner treated the water ra'e in the same manner as a general rate, and in consequence bat two payments were made, £5 13s 2d for 1887-8 and £4 4s lOd for 1888-9. In 1891 the Finance Com mittee of the Council authorised a claim t« be made, and this was lodged with the officers of the R.M. Court to be sent to Government A similar course was pur tued iv the following year, bufc no notice | was taken. In 1893 the maker was •gain considered by the Council, and it was resolved that £20 10s per annum would be a fair charge for the Govern ment buildings at Grahamstown and Sbortfand; claims were accordingly sent in for this amount, The Post Office Department paid its proportion (£5), but ho reply was given as to the balance. Similar accounts were rendered for the Current year, but as they were un answered the Council directed him to forward them to Government. Mr Kenny Bt»ted that the Under-Secretary of the Mines Department had written A mtmo. to the effect that it was not contemplated that Government should be charged for water, but be, Mr Car penter, said that there was no authority for this statement. 