THE SATURDAY NIGHT MEETING.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume I, Issue 65, 24 November 1880, Page 3

THE SATURDAY NIGHT MEETING.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE STAB.

Sir, — As a comparative stranger in the district, I was much interested in attending the meeting at Mr. Gray's store, of those concerned. in the erection of the bridge oVer the Waingongorp on the Nor-manby-Manaia road. Although it was refreshing to note the unsophisticated manners of indignant settlers in public meeria^ assembled, ii> starock me mat & little preparation on the part of the promoters of such gatherings would result in a more judicious conduct of the proceedings. The manner in which the first and most ponderous proposition was submitted, wfas delightfully simple : "I, beg to expose this resolution," saidthe gentleman entrusted with it, and handing the lengthy document to the chairman, sat down with apparent relief. It Was seconded as hi?eßy, a»ii "without farther comment, unanimously carried. So far, satisfactory ; but a little later., a proposition sharply condemning the manner in which the Government employ labor on the Manaia road was submitted without a word 6f exposition by the 'mover. As it turned out, an explanation by a well-in-formed gentleman present took the wind oak oi the sails of this motion, and caused its withdrawal ; but otherwise, in all probability, the resolution — which appeared to me to be of more importance than might seem at first — would have been hurriedly .passed without any statement of the facts on which it was supposed to be grounded. It would be well for those who move in public matters to lay before their fellow settlers a few explanatory remarks regarding the propositions to which they give their assent. In regard to the topics under discussion, I don't wish to go into them. It seems pretty clear that the erection of the bridge will be a beneficial work ; but the Government having apparently other public works in hand which, in their judgment, are of more immediate importance, cannot see their way clear bo expend any money on it at present. The i<3 ea *^ a *> there can possibly be a matter of greater national concern than , the erection of another bridge*- 'over the Waingongoro river doesn't seem to have dawned on the minds of the majority of the" settlers. At the meeting on^ Saturday, the fact was grasped that the Government were short of funds, but Mr. Quin, with a sudden barst o£ patriotism, xaek t»B fliffifctilti? by submitting a resolution fchat; those present would guarantee to lend {he money required till the next session of Parliament, at the current rat *of interest. How flattered the Government will feel at this magnanimous offer of lending them money at interest.

Speaking seriously, I think the proposition simply absurd; and am surprised" that an intelligent meeting should accept it. It not only, in my estimation, is insulting to our rulers, but,is impracticable from the fact that the (jtovernment are under a pledge to raise no further loans .for the present, and the principle would hold good in such a small matter as this. The resolution is the more surprising, when the fact is taken into consideration that Mr. McGregor some time since offered to advance j6500 without stipulation.. This geneions offer -was not referred io on Sabardajr; }>uhj& &>t> MSxASs£t* fcßftWL not see his way clear to avail Vimse^J |>S such help, how much less would he ieel inclined to raise a loan on interest.

I have every respect for the genial residents ,of this district, and write without personal animus | but I cannot help commenting on what I take to be th.c ridiculous outcome of the public .meeting. Do let us have a soul above Normanby, or Hawera. This lack of patriotism, this invariable habit of pushing forward petty ioeal affairs, without any thought of higher national interests, se§ms, to be characteristic of the colony. InOGago, I found Dunedtn had erected large' .wharvfes to attract business from Port Chalmers; but which are flow comparatively useless, from the fact that the channel is not deep enough to float large ship's to the city. Timaru, finding Oamaru has a breakwater, must have one too ; although competent engineers assert that it is merely throwing money into the sea ; and the fact is patent to. anybody examining the portion of the Timaru breakwater already completed, that its effect is to accumulate

beach on one side, and to cause the encroachment of the sea on valuable land on the other, while the practical utility of the work is seriously doubted. Again, I find most jealous rivalry existing between Wanganui and Patea; Nei^ Plymouth and Waitara; and even between Normanby and Hawera. But I needn't quote more instances ; the fact is patent enough that this narrow feeling of petty jealousy has often led to foolish expenditure of public money, and is not conducive to the best interests of the colony at large.

I haver trespassed far too long on the valuable space of your particularly impartial journal. Let it not be supposed that I consider the new bridge unwanted. It is doubtless a useful work ; but it would be more graceful on the part of the settlers to repose confidence in the Government that the best will be done under the present financial circumstances, than to offer such questionable help as lending the money at current rates. The publication of my name would not assist my cause, I therefore submit myself,

Respublica. Normanbyj 22nd November.