OPUNAKE.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume II, Issue 182, 7 December 1881, Page 2

OPUNAKE.

DEPUTATION TO THE HON. MAJOR

ATKINSON. (from oob own correspondent.)

On Thursday afternoon, soon after Major Atkinson arrived in Opunake, a deputation, consisting of about a dozen residents in the township, waited upon the hon. gentleman, and brought several matters in connection with the town and harbor under his notice. They urged that the native reserves (generally known as Wiremu King's) should be either leased or sold as quickly as possible, as the prosperity of Opunake depended a good deal on that being done ; that the block of land, between Taungatara and Oeo rivers, should be surveyed and placed in the market ; that the road from the Bay to the township should be formed ; that the survey of the harbor should be finished, and mooring buoys fixed ; that endowments should be secured for the harbor ; that the Stratford road (Husthouse's Line) should be formed ; that the metalling of the road between Otakeo and Stoney River should be finished, and the bridges completed ; that water and gravel reserves should be secured for the town-

ship; that the railway reserve shonld^be handed over to Town Boar 3 (as soon as formed) until the Government required it ; that the branch railway to Opunake should be commenced as soon as possible; and finally, that Opunake should be freed from the. rate for tile New Plymouth Harbor.

In the course of a conversational discussion which followed,

Major Atkinson stated that.the Government were very anxious to deal with the native reserves, and a meeting o.f the Cabinet had been arranged for the' 16tli December to consider the whole question, and to decide as to what portion should be given back to fche natives. He had no doubt that \Viremu Kingi's reserve wouldbe dealt with, as he would do all he'eoukl to have it placed in the occupation- of Europeans ; but in the matter of these reserves the deputation mast remember that the West Coast Commission would have to be consulted. With reference, tothe Oeo-Tanngatara block, he believed that the surveyors were now on the ground. He believed that it was the intention to place a body of the A.C on the road which had been commenced from the JBay to the township; and he would endeavour to have the survey of the harbor finished. With regard to the mooring buoys, he had procured these some time back, but the Marine Department had reported against them. In New Plymouth, they bad abandoned the use of' the buoys, after being in Uee ior eozne years. He could not promise to secure an endowment of rural land for the harbor, as the temper of the House seemed to be against endowments ; but if he saw a favorable opportunity, he would endeavor to get an endowment, as he had always been in favor of aiding local harbors, because cheap carriage was essential to the prosperity of the country. The town reserves pointed out by the deputation he WOUld endeavor to secure for the harbor. He was afraid that the Stratford Road could not be formed. As they were aware, only a limited sum had been voted by Parliament, and he was afraid none of it could be spared for the purpose. The same remarks would apply to the road from Otakeho to Stony River. He recognized the importance of both roads, and if the work could not be done this year» ha hoped to get a sum of money placed on the Estimates next session. The suggestions with reference to gravel and water reserves, he thought were excellent, and he would try to give effect to them as soon as possible. He would see the Minister of Railways in reference to handing over the Railway Reserve to fch© Town Board, unless there was a probability of its being required within a short period. He was afraid tbe branch line to Opunake could not be commenced for some time, although he did not believe- it would be delayed many years. In reply to a member of the deputation, who brought under Major .Atkinson's notice, some remarks made by Colonel Trimble, he stated that the 15 per cent, had been voted at the time when 20 per cent, of • the land revenue was given to the County Councils, but it was all now put into the consolidated fund. However, he did not think the railway would be delayed many years. So far as tbe rat© for NewPlymouth Harbor purposes was concerned, he did not think that anything could be done, as the consent of the bond-holders would have to be obtained ; but from calculations he had made, he did not believe that the rate was ever likely to be levied. If at all, it would be about 24 years before it would be required, and at that time a 3d. rate would be sufficient. They could hardly expect him to ask for an endowment for their harbor on the one hand, and to get an immunity from the rate on the other. ■ One of the deputation reminded Major Atkinson of the remarks he had made in the House in reference to freeing Opunake, and a portion of ih© Plains from the rate. He replied that the question of a rate was so remote that it was hardly worth while considering. Had there been any probability of a rate being levied as soon as stated by tbe Committee of Inquiry, he would have been prepared to act in the matter. After a conversational diaoussion, tbe deputation thanked the honorable gentleman, and withdrew.