STRATFORD.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume III, Issue 255, 31 May 1882, Page 3

STRATFORD.

PUBLIC MEETING. (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

An influential meeting of settlers in the Stratford. Ngaire, and Midhirst districts was held at Mehoffy's hotel on Saturday last, to consider the question of urging upon the Government the necessity of completing the road to Opunake. Mr. G. Curtis was voted to the chair and read the notice convening the meeting. The chairman then proceeded to give the teasons which had induced the conveners to call the niepting. He said that when Stratford had been originally offered for sale it had been represented that it was intended to be a large inland town, as was indeed evident from the large number of sections, and two important main roads were pointed out as converging at Stratford—viz., East Road to open up the inland country, and Opunake Road to give communication with another port; time had passed on but not much progress had been made with either, and it was necessary, now that the Governor's speech plainly pointed to another loan, to urge the claims of the district to have the Opunake Road completed. It was a most important matter both for Opunake and Stratford, and even as a speculation, putting aside tho effectual extinguisher that it would prove upon any more native trouble about here, it would pay the Government handsomely, as they had an enormous area of first-class land yet to Bell, which could only be reached by means of this road.

Mr. BLaione said that the matter should be urged upon the Ministry, as the settlers already on the Opunake lioad had paid high prices for their lands on the faith of the representations made that the rood would bo opened. Mr. Marchant Baid that he had made enquiries and had found that when two contracts now in hand were finished, which would be in a few weeks' time, there would be a good dray road as far as tho junction of the Manaia Road with the exception of the bridge across the Waingongoro. From the Manaia Koad towards Opunake but Jittle had been done, and he considered tho present an opportune time to press for the completion of tho work. Mr. Harre said the road was in the Ngaire road district, and ho thought that the Road Board should attend to it. It was pointed out, however, that only 3$ miles were in tho Ngaire district, and thft chairman said it would bo impossible for local bodies to do such work, as they had not the money. Mr. Hirst considered that connection with Opunoke would be a great benefit to the whole district, and thought that tho views of the meeting could be made known by a petition aa well as by a deputation. \>jit was then proposed by Mr. Mehaffy, beoonded by Mr. James, and carried unanimously, " That it is desirable to urge upon Government the necessity of at once forming 'and metalling the road from Stratford to Opunake." Proposed by Mr. Malone, seconded by Mr. Harre, and carried unanimously, " That a petition setting forth the views of this meeting be drawn up and circulated for Bignature in tho district." The chairman then mooted the question of sending a deputation to Wellington, in conjunction with Opunake. He said that be had no intention of accepting the honor himself and could therefore speak more freely, but the Hawera deputation had been very successful, and it was for the meeting to decide whether it might not bo desirable to subscribe the necessary funds; he thought a settler on the road should be selected. It was proposed by Mr. James, and seconded by Mr. Malone, " That a deputation be sent to Wellington, and that in the event of the necessary money being raised, Mr. Marchant represent this district." Mr. Marchant said ho must decline tho honor as he could not spare the time ; and thought-. that it would be desirable to try the cheaper plan of the petition first, to be forwarded to the proper quarter by the member for Egmont. Mr. Ralfe thought it would be the better plan to first forward the petition to the Hon. Majofc Atkinson ; if unsuccessful, the matter of a deputation could then be considered. ■' A motion to that effect was put and carried.

It was then resolved that Messrs. Curtis -and Marchant draw up, circulate, and forward the petition, and that the chairman inform Opunake by telegraph of what h*d been- done.

The usual vote of thanks to the chair dosed the proceedings.