NORMANBY.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume II, Issue 172, 14 November 1881, Page 2

NORMANBY.

MAJOR ATKINSON BEFORE THE

ELECTORS.

(from our own correspondent.)

On Saturday a very large number of electors attended the Town Hall, when Major Atkinson addressed the meeting. The audience was composed of gentlemen from all nari' of the neighborhood — the Ploius, "- airc. and Hawera, being well represei ... , in addition to the Norman by continge".',. On the motion of Mr. Finlayson, seconded by Mr. Hinge, Mr.C. E. Gibsou was elected to the chair, and addressed the meeting as follows :—

Gentlemen, — I have again the pleasure to introduce to you the member for our district, the Hon. Major Atkinson. He is before you to give an account of his stewardship, and to seek re-election at your hands. The question is sometimes ft&ked " Wbai has ihe Major dons for the district ?" He will answer that himself. But, before he begins his address, I would like to convey to him, and through him. to his colleagues, our warm appreciation of the energetic manner in which they have grappled with, and settled the terrible Native difficulty. I feel sure you will join with me, in thus bestowing a meed of .praise on the members of the Ministry, who have accomplished so much, without hitherto one drop of bloodshed. Great patience and forbearance have been necessary for this, and the result must be good for both races. I feel proud that we have a member of that Ministry now before us, as a candidate for our suffrages, and trust that you will return him at the head of the poll by a large majority.

Major Atkinson then addressed the meeting ; his speech being in the main, a repetition of that delivered at Patea and Hawera. He referred briefly to Mr. Hutchison's letter, published in the Patea Mail of the 11th instant, characterising it as being absolutely mis-leading, and quoting figures in support of this. At the conclusion of his address, there was a hearty applause and in response to the usual invitation for questions, Mr. Inkster rose, and inquired " How many millions have been spent on railways, since the beginning of the Public Works Policy ?"

Major Atkinson — Ten millions ; there is about £1,200,000 still in hand.

Mr. Quin— Does the £106,000, which you state has been spent in this district, include the i>4ooo wasted on mud on the Mountain road ?

Major Atkinson — Yes ; that is a portion of it.

Mr. Quin — Has there been any complaint made to the Government respecting that piece of work; and if so, why cot discharged the officer responsible for it?

Major Atkinson — I am not aware tbat there has been any ; but if a complaint is made to me, I will undertake to see that it is attended to.

Mr. Quin— How much of the £106,000 has been spent on the Plains ?

Major Atkinson — From £35,000 to i>40,000; and I may here mention that any surplus land fund has been returned to the various local bodies.

Mr. Quin — Is not the road from Moore Hunter's to Ketemarae like Ginx's baby, nobody's business ? and would it not be better to spend money on that instead of on political drill-sheds ? Major Atkinson — I don't understand what is meant by a political drill-shed. If I had my own way, I should like to pufc a drill-shed in every town where there is a volunteer corps, after the splendid manner in which they have behaved. In reference to the road, the Government metalled it, and handed it over to the district, and a district that won't take over such a road and keep it in good order is certainly not a subject for sympathy. Mr. Quin— You have stated that you would like to see the Waimate Plains absol- ' from the liability to be rated for the 1- < .'-■ Plymouth harbor ; why should not the Xgaire district be treated in the same way ? Major Atkinson — I should like to see a Eoyal Commission appointed to inquire as to what district would be benefitted, and speaking as a settler in one of those districts, I should be willing to bear a double rate before any other district is called upon to contribute. Mr. Quin — Were not meetings held along the coast protesting against the works being carried on ? Major Atkinson — No ; but against the liability to be raked for them. Mr. Quin — Referring J to the education question, you stated at one of your meetings that a great injustice was being done to a large section of the community ; how is it that you voted for this injustice ? Major Atkinson — In this world one haft to take the lesser of two evils, and to get as near justice as possible. Mr. Quin— When we were trying to settle the site of the railway station here, did you not promise that, if you got into power, it should be opposite McGregor's hotel ?

No ; what I said was tbat I would So my bost to have it there. My fate in the aflair reminds me of an old couplet — .

" Those who in quarrels interpose Often meet with a bloody nose."

I took the trouble to come down here and try to arrange the matter, but as each party thought it had sufficient political influence to place .the. station where it chose, neither was disposed to give way. Mr. Quin— What has become of the petition from owners on the Extension ? Major Atkinson— The petition was informal. I wired to Mr. Murray Thomson to know if there was any one in Wellington interested; and learning that there was, made it my business to find him out. The petition was then presented, and the report of the Petitions Committee was senb bo Mr

Mr. Inksfcer— ls there any money available for trunk roads alongside native reserves ? . Major Atkinson — I cannot say ; but if the Bill which we tried to pass last session can he got through in the next, which bill is to the effect that the Government shall find 75 per cent, and the settlers the remainder of the money necessary to make these roads, then the matter will be at once settled.

Mr. T. Bobson — When do Government intern! to open up the back county? 9 Major Atkinson— JiiOOO was spent last year in bridle tracks ; but the difficulty is that there is so much land to be opened up, that. we cannot get it all into the market at once. Mr. Sanson,— Could the deferred pay-

ment system be worso than it is at present? Major Atkinson — I shall be only too glad to receive any suggestion* by which it can be amended. The present system was instituted by Mr. Donald Reid', who hsd given the subject very deep thought. .A cordial vote of thanks and confidence in. Major Atkinson as our representative agajnst all comers, was moved by Mr. F. Finlayson, seconded by Mr. F. H. Brett. An amendment, moved by Mr. Quin, seconded by Mr. Sisley, to the effect that, as the member knew nothing of matters connected with the district, it was undesirable to re-elect him. The amendment being putj three voted for it, and a considerable number against ; a very large majority voting for the original motion.