OPUNAKE.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume III, Issue 196, 11 January 1882, Page 2

OPUNAKE.

(from our own correspondent.)

A public meeting was held last evening, in Mr. Courtney's Hall, for the purpose of forming a Town Board.

On Mr. Galviu being voted to the chair, it was resolved — That a Town Board be formed, and a committee of six was appointed for the purpose of obtaining the requisite signatures, and seeing to the formation of the Tow a Board. The following are the gentlemen appointed :—: — Messrs. Whibley, Galvin, McLeod, Maysmor, Smith and Coffey. Thera is a move on the board tomorrow at Parihaka, it is believed with a view of making road and opening up more country ou the Parihakajßlock for settlement.

The residents of Opunake- feel much disappointed at the comparatively small quantity of land (5,000 acres) which the Government is about opening" 'Up, and which is a portion of that large reserve known as the Opunake Native' Eeserve, comprising 44,000 acres. The question is often asked how is it the Government sells a township, from which is derived a very large amount of money, and do not open up an acre of back country to support it. I consider this an oversight on the part qf the Ministry, inexcusable. For instance, tho civil natives of this district complain bitterly of the harsh treatment they have received at the hands of the present Mim3try, in not individualising the land so as they could in some way utilise it. However, Sir "William they say will soon come and settle all their grievances, and the sooner the better. I say now that the natives are in such a good mood, let not the Government mar settlement in this quarter, tho back-bone of the Native difficulty, and qualify this, by saying before the Hon. John Bryce had broken it.

A company of Constabulary will be stationed near the old abandoned camp Eaikahu, 2nd another at Ngakamikumi. Both detachments, I understand, will commence the road work simultaneously.