THE PUBLIC MEETING.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume I, Issue 20, 19 June 1880, Page 3

THE PUBLIC MEETING.

The following are the resolutions to be submitted at the public meeting this evening. The proceedings will commence at half-past six o'clock, so as to enable people living at a distance to get away early : —

JTBBT RESOLUTION.

1. That this meeting 1b unanimously of opinion that the Government should refuse to accept the amended plans of Sir John Coode, for Harbor Works at New Plymouth, as an additional expenditure of £SO,OOO will thereby hare to be incurred, should Government consent to the proposed alterations.

2. That in view of the present financial depression existing in this colony, and the heavy taxation under which the inhabitants labor, a tax of one shilling in the £ on lands lying between the Taungatara and Waingongoro rivers, and 25 per cent, of the land revenue of the whole portion of the Patea county within the provincial district of Taranaki, for harbor works at New Plymouth, is a great injustice, not alone to the present and future residents of this district, but to the colony at large ; and that such a course of proceeding is also impolitic, as it will militate against future Bales of land in the large area of unoccupied terrritory within the boundaries of the Patea county.

3. That a committee be appointed by this meeting to draw up a petition for presentation to the Government (and also to the members of both Houses of the Legislature) asking that the whole scheme of harbor works at New Plymouth Bhould be re-considered; and that the co-operation of the various local bodies in the Patea county be requested, in furtherance of the petition to be drawn up.

SECOND RESOLUTION.

1. That in the opinion of this meeting the most effectual means for lessening taxation, ending the native difficulty, and finding employment for the working classes, will be to open up and populate the large area of Government waste lands, now lying in an unproductive state ; .and that that portion of the Waimate Plains which has been already surveyed, should be thrown open for settlement without delay. The eager desire recently manifested to obtain land in the Ngaire district, and the number of applications in excess of hind offered, clearly demonstrates the necessity of more activity in the survey and administration of the waste lands.

2. That, with a view to this, the meeting would respectfully urge on the Government the necessity of increasing the present survey staff, and the prosecution of the surveys of the waste lands in this county, with more -energy and despatch than has been, hitherto practised. 3. That this meeting is of opinion that every encouragement should be offered to the public to talte up and occupy the large area of forest lands in the Patea county ; and that this can be best effected by classifying, putting a moderately fixed price upon the hinds, and disposing of them on a liberal deferred- payment system.

THIED BKBOLUTION.

1. That the Patea county labors under .great disadvantages, through having the lands of this county administered by land "boards, the members of which, -with one exception, are residents of other counties ; and that consequently the boards are composed of persons who have, generally speaking, no interest in, or knowledge of, the requirements of this county. " 2. That this meeting strongly protests against the injustice of having the land within the Patea county administered by

the Taranaki and Wellington Land Boards; and this meeting would therefore respectfully point out to the Government, and the members of both Houses of the Legislature, that the injustice complained of could be remedied by placing the lands within this county under the control of the Patea County Council, or some other local body, or that a separate land board should be constituted to look after and administer the large area of land within this county. FOURTH RESOLUTION. 1. That the chairman of this meeting attach his signature to the foregoing resolutions, and send the same to the Government, and that printed copies be forwarded to the members of both Houses of Parliament. 2. That the following committee be appointed, to draw up petitions in accordance with the foregoing resolutions, and to obtain the signatures of residents throughout the county ; and that the same be forwarded to the Hon. Major Atkinson for presentation to the House of Representatives.