Mr M'Lean : I was aware that the rate in the other portion of the Taieri district was far in, excess of what the other deputation expected. In Outram, it appears, nearly LI7OO in rates were collected last year, and the other deputation say that they collected L2OOO last year. I do not see my way to alter the ridings. I have come lo that conclusion, and I am sorry that you had the trouble of coming here to-day. These ridings have given me a great deal of anxiety, and I tried to satisfy people as well as I could, but, as you see, it is impossible to satisfy everybody. As long as we do justice, we cannot help it if we cause dissatisfaction to some. He concluded by informing the deputa tion that he had just received a telegram from Wellington stating that tho boundaries could not be altered. LEE STREAM ROAD. Mr Shand then informed Mr M'Lean that the road between the Lee Stream and the Taieri Plain was in a very bad state in conse quence of the removal of the surface men recently. The road was badly cut up, and it would be some time before the County system would be in working oider. He therefore asked that the surface men should be put on again. Mr M'Lean : Have they not been put on lately? Mr Shand: No. Mr M'Lean: We are in a bad state for money, and it was necessary to knock off every thing that we could. These men were put off before I had anything to do with the matter. I have asked the Engineer to keep things going on as before, and to put back some of tho surface-men, and I was not aware but that he had done so. Mr Shand replied that he was sure that they had not been put on again. Mr M'Lean : I will send to Mr Arthur and see how the matter stands. I am doing nothing j except winding up matters, and I do not want to spend more money than possible. There is really no money to spend, but actual necessities must be attended to. The deputation then thanked Mr M'Lean and withdrew. 