NGAIRE ROAD DISTRICT.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume I, Issue 40, 28 August 1880, Page 3

NGAIRE ROAD DISTRICT.

A meeting of residents in the Ngaire district, convened by the chairman of the Patra County Council, for the purpose of 'nomini.ting commissioners, was held at Brett .and Johnston's hotel, Normanby, on Tuesday. Mr. Dale, chairman of the cdunty council, came from Carlyle, and presided at the ineetiiig. The Chairman opened the proceedings. l>y reading from the Star the notice convening the meeting. He said that he understood that several were present from this side of the Mangawhoro, but he ,must inform them that they were already included in the Hawera Road District. He was sorry if they were put to any inconvenience in coming to the meeting. There appeared to be some misapprehension as to who should keep the Mountain road in order ; but at present it was proclaimed a Government road, and, until that was revoked, the county council could do nothing whatever with it. The council had done all they could, and he had himself urged upon the Government to keep even a few day-men on the road, but without uvail. He thought it necessary to make this explanation, in consequence of the paragraphs that had appeared in the newspapers. With regard to the proposed road district, the chairman stated that, provided no election was held in the month of June, the county council were empowered to elect people on the board ; but he thought it better to consult those concerned, and allow them to nominate those that they considered most suitable tor the position. No rate could be struck by the new board before the Ist January next ; but in the meantime a portion of the money paid by deferred payments selectors was lying idle in the Treasury, and might be utilised. Mr. McCutchan said that the Government had good reason for not interfering with the Mountain road, because they had a large quantity of land to sell at the other side of To Roti. They had another road — the L'oylan road — which would give far more accommodation to the bulk of the settlers than tlie Mountain road, which could only benefit the Maoris and a few large holders. Those who had lately purchased land near the Boylan road should take care that they were not humbugged in the matter. Mr. Quin thought the Government had not acted fairly with the settlers. The Chairman suggested that they should have another meeting, if they thought proper, to discuss the subject ; but he would point out that the present meeting was called for a specific purpose — "jiamely, for the purpose of nominating commissioners to the proposed road board. Mr. Southey having been proposed as one of the commissioners, Mr. Bate, secretary of the Hawera Road Board, pointed out that Air. Southey was in the Hawera Road district, and Mr. Hawke, who had 4 proposed him, was also in the Hawera Road district. Mr. Hawke replied that he lived within three miles and a half of Stratford. If he was in the Hawera district, the Ngaire would be a very small district indeed. Mr. McKay — If that be tlie case, the only persons in the new district will be Mr! O'Donovan and myself. After some discussion, the Chairman said that he would receive nominations from am' electors within the new district, even although the commissioners nominated did not belong to the proposed road district. It was not imperative that seven commissioners should be nomiuated. A lesser number could be nominated, if it was thought more desirable. Mr. Quin thought it better to have seven, in consequence of the diffiulty of getting a quorum. He proposed that the number should be seven. Mr. McDowall seconded the motion, which was carried. The following gentlemen were then nominated : — Messrs. H. Southey, C. Qnin, R. T. Hawke, R. O'Donovan, T. Mabey, G. Calvert, and S. Gray. Mr. J. Kivkpatvick was atso nominated, but received the fewest votes when the show of hands took place. The following gentlemen were nominated as auditors: — Messrs. J. McCutchan, G. V. Bate, and C. R. Wreford. Messrs. McCutchan and Wreford were declared elected, on a show of hands being taken. The Chairman said that that concluded the business. A vote of thanks to the chairman was proposed by Mr. Quin, seconded by Mr. Calvert, and carried unanimously.