OPUNAKE.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume II, Issue 180, 2 December 1881, Page 2

OPUNAKE.

♦ MAJOR ATKINSON BEFORE THE ELECTORS. ' i [By Teleorph:] (fbom our special keportbe.) OPUNAKE, This Bay. Major Atkinson addressed the .electors last night at Courtney's buildings.- There were about 100 present. The speaker went largely into the question re New Plymouth harbor, controverting the statements of the committee appointed by the House, and expressing 'a belief that no tax would be required for the next twentyfour , years, so that if a tax were required at all, it would be only for four years, as the sinking fund and interest would have to be paid in thirty years. He stated, that after the land along the coast was disposed of there would still be left half a million acres for sale. These would have to be sold according as demand existed, but sooner it was sold-, the better it "would be for the harbor, as then the Board would have the benefit of pound interest, a thing never calpqlated at all, by Mr. Wright's committee."" He quoted statistics re expenditure on Railways and Public Works. According to the money voted by the House, nearly two per cent, more than the average for^ the whole colony had been' spent on the PateaWaitara railway ; whilst on public works, iive-and-a-haLf tinies more than the average had been spent. If a proportionate amount had been spent all over the colony, seventeen millions would have been spent, whereas only two had been. Immediately after elections the Cabinet would meet, and decide what should be done with, native reserves, and settle the question as to whether all previously promised to the natives should be given them. He eulogised the conduct of the people undergreat provocation sometimes endured. He was' proud to represent such a constituency, whose action had ao strengthened the hands of the G-oveMMneni He paiA | a high tribute to the volunteers, whose spontaneous action would be the means of cementing friendship between this, district and the whole colony. He invited the fullest discussion, hoping, all who had charges to make would come forward. ? He sat down amidst applause. Mr. O'Neill said — Major, you h,ave,made New Plymouth and "Waitaia; \ffhy can't you do something for Opunake ? I. like to speak plain, Major, but shall vote for you all the same. Major Atkinson — I cannot claim, to have built either New Plymouth or Waitara. I h.ive merely added little tp a coral heap. 1 hope to be able to do more for Opuaalse than I have been able to. do for Waitara or New Plymouth. In reply to Mr. McLeod, Major Atkinson said he believed the Harbor Board would be able with the money in hand to allow such vessels as the Hawea to moor alongside, which would be a good thing for the whole district. He could not promise a hospital endowment for Opunake, aB it was not done anywhere yet ; but he was in favor of endowments all over the colony. At present, hospitals were supported frona the Consolidated Fund. The question was very important, and. would have to be dealt with, 'Ha could not promise' reserves for various religious denominations, but the practice was to allow religious bodies to select sites without competition, so long as the 'secLions were not in front. He was in favor of the road from the' bay to township completed at once. He" would 1 do his best to obtain, water and gravel reserves for the township. He thought the suggestions good. ' *v ; In reply to Mr. Middleton, Major Atkinson said he could not promise to have Stratford Road formed, but Government would do what ii; could. The money at its disposal was limited, and ho was afraid it could not' be done ; , oat he hoped lender the scheme proposed; issi session, and which would probably be introduced next, for construction. of roada and bridges, that and similar works would be done. In reply to Mr. Sanders, Major Atkinson said the native .reserve surrounding Opunaka was included in the reserve which the candidate in his speech said would be sold or leased so soon as possible. In reply to Mr. Pettigrew, Major Atkinson said he'- wasnofc aware that the Stratford road would fee diverted three miles from the southern side of "the Taungatara river. Certainly it would not be done, because at the Opunake end tbe road would go through native lands. The' time for that was gone by. (Applause.) Mr. Breach then proposed,, and Mr. Newnaan seconded, that a vote of thanks should be given to Major Atkinson for his address, and confidence in him as their representative. ■ , No amendment. was proposed. On the motion being put to the meeting, twenty hands were held up in favor ,and twenty-four against.' ' The chairman deciaveil the motion .lost.- ■ ,-■ In proposing. a .vote .okthankßito the chau'iuau, Major Atkinson, said all was

Sfair in love or. war, but he bad no doubt of the result of-the. poll. The meeting was: orderly throughout, and but few interruptions. , There were not so many present as when Mr. Hutchison addressed, nor was the meeting nearly so enthusiastic ; half thdse present did not vote one way or the other. In the afternoon a deputation waited on Major Atkinson, and .brought different matters under hiß notice affecting the bay *nd township. These I will forward you l>y post, and replies thereto. j