HAWERA BOROUGH COUNCIL

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume III, Issue 257, 5 June 1882, Page 3

HAWERA BOROUGH COUNCIL

Wednesday, May 31. We re-publish the following report of the proceedings of the deputation at Wellington, at the request of a number of subscribers who file the Stab but not the supplements. A special meeting of the Borough Council was held on the above evening for the purpose of receiving the report of His Worship the Mayor and Mr. Max D. King, who formed the recent deputation to Wellington for the purpose of interviewing the Government on Municipal matters connected with the Borough. There were Present — His Worship the Mayor, Councillors King, Syme, Thomson, Bate, Partridge, Hobbs, and Riddiford. The Mayor having explained the purpose for which the meeting had been convened, called upon Councillor King, who read the following REPORT. Gentlemen, — Towards the purposes of our embassy we directed our best attention, and the result has been more satisfactory than the most sanguine could anticipate. The matters of vital importance you may consider are practically fixed, whilst other questions, of no mean significance, have been left in such a state that there is little doubt but that they will be carried out in a manner befitting the borough. For the sake of clearness wo will divide the various itemß under their own departments : (1) Justice Department. The most important item on our programme was, undoubtedly, the Court House and Police Station. In conjunction with the representative of the district we waited on the Minister of Justice, and the trio impressed upon that gentleman, that these things must be done. Mr. Dick acknowledged that, in the interests of law and justice, suitable accommodation was absolutely necessary, and promised, that a sum sufficient for the

purpose should be placed on the estimates. Other matters connected with this department were also brought j before Mr. Dick, such as the appointment of more justices of the peace for the borough : these will be appointed after the session, it was also arranged that weekly sittings of the R.M. Court should be held iv Kawera. (2.) Post and Telegraph Department. In this department we were successful in impressing upon the Postmaster-General the importance of having more suitable offices built iv connection with the other public buildings, and he promised to have a vote placed on the estimates for that purpose. We impressed upon him the folly of making any paltry additions to the present structure, and that it were better to erect a good building at once for two or three departments together. A promise was made of a daily mail service to Opunake. A daily delivery of letters in the borough will bo granted iv due course. It was arranged that the time for making up the burgess roll should be extended to August lßt, 1882. (3.) Public Works Department. In this department we advocated an extra train on Saturdays as far as Stratford, and we have reason to believe that this will be granted. (4.) Land Department. Here we brought the question of Land Offices for receiver of land rovenue and Public Trustee most forcibly before the Minister of Lands, and we must say the answer was highly satisfactory, for we were informed that more accommodation would be provided, although he could not say to what extent until the Bill now before the House was passed ; in any case he would have a sum placed on the estimates in conjunction with other departments. We were also informed that the Public Trustee for Native Lands would probably reside in Hawera. Mr. Rolleston expressed the determination of the Government not to part with any of the reserves, but promised that they should be planted with ornamental trees, which will thus beautify tho place. It having been ascertained, through the kindness of Mr. Skeet, that the elevation of Lake Rotokari was most suitable for a water supply, efforts were at once made to have the same reserved for the use of the borough ; and we are assured, both by the Minister of Lands and the member for the district, that this will be done in due course. (5.) Loan— Treasury Department. The last though not least point achieved was the floating of the £5000 loan, which we obtained free of commission and similar expenses from tho Trust Fund Commissioners. We would point out that on this item alone a direct and positive saving has been effected for the borough of at least £350 to £400. The money has been given at 6 per cent., with fifteen years for repayment. We also made terms for the lithographing and printing of the necessary debentures at about one- third the cost of that usually paid for such work. We can assure you that we left no stone unturned to make our mission successful in every sense, and the boons obtained are the result of deep thought and hard work, ' combined with much that was annoying, perplexing, and disheartening. But we have the satisfaction of knowing that the advantages of proper accommodation for the administration of Justice, with Land, Post, and Telegraph business to Hawera, caunot be too highly estimated. These, together with the Government taking up our loan, must I at once ensure for Hawera that position we all hold she is destined to occupy — viz., that of the largest and most important inland town in the North Island. In addition to the matters appertaining to the borough, we were pleased to be able to render some service to Normanby and Opunake. For the former we advocated — and we think with success — the completion of the Boylan and NormanbyManaia roads. Whilst for Opunake, besides securing the daily mail service, we have reason to believe that the road from Otakeho to Opunake will be gravelled at an early date, and the native lands leased very shortly. We' cannot omit mentioning the great kindness of our representative, Major Atkinson, who introduced us to the various Ministers, and assisted us materially in pressing the wants of the various departments. His hospitality, as well as that of Colonel Trimble, the member for Taranaki, were duly appreciated by us as marks of respect to the borough we had the honor to represent. — We have, &., F. McGuibe. Max. D. King. Them Mayor, who together with Counc or King, waa well received* both by the members of the Council and the general public who were present, remarked that he had little to add beyond what was contained in tho report, which showed exactly what had been accomplished by the deputation. The work had not been done without considerable exertions on the part of his colleauge and himself. He considered that the borough and the burgesses were to be congratulalated upon the results attained. Nor were the members of the^ Government who had been waited

upon by the deputation to be forge tten. The various members of the Ministry bad been most kind, courteous, and considerate. The expenses in connection with the deputation to Wellington had been heavier than was anticipated. ludeed, Councillor King, who had cashed the cheque before leaving Hawera, had found that before taking leave of Wellington the funds were exhausted. In conclusion, he desired to assure the Council that the deputation had worked with siugle purpose, and had acted according to their light. (Applause.) Councillor Bate moved the reception of the report, which was carried, as also was the adoption of the same. Councillor Bate moved the following resolution : — " That a cordial vote of thanks be accorded by this Council to His Worship the Mayor ami Councillor King, for their zeal in representing the requirements of tho Borough, and their success in obtaining the same." He was convinced that everyone would acknowledge that the success which had attended the efforts of the deputation had been an unequivocal success, and had heft no chance for dissatisfaction on the part of the burgesses. Petitions and telegrams had been first of all suggested, but he felt assured that these would not have gained the ears of Ministers to anything like the extent of the deputation. Councillor Partridge in seconding the motion, entirely endorsed the remarks of Councillor Bate as to the iuutility of applying to Govornment by petitions or telegrams. The result of the deputation's efforts had shown them that they had done perfectly right in sending the delegates to the metropolis, and in providing ways and means. Ho felt sorry to learn that the Mayor aud his colleague were out of pocket by the trip, but no doubt the Council would see its way to reimburse those gentlemen. He desired heartily to congratulate the deputation on the success they had achieved, which in no small degree must be attributed to the energy, perseverance, and tact displayed by its members. Councillor Thomson desired to add his testimony as to the ability displayed by the deputation. He considered that no two better men could have been selected for the purpose than the Mayor and Cr. King, who had left nothing undone. In fact he believed those gentlemen had done more real permanent good for Hawera than had been effected by any body of men previously ; and for this reason he considered any outlay they had incurred should be/ refunded. The business they had undertaken had been accomplished at once and without delay, and very likely at a lesser outlay than would have been the case, supposing the negotiations had been conducted by telegrams and letters. The motion was carried. . Councillor Riddiford moved " That the amount expended by the deputation beyond the sum voted by the Council for the deputation to Wellington be reimbursed to the Mayor and Councillor King." Councillor Thomson seconded the motion, which was carried. The Mayor expressed his thanks to the Council for the manner in which both Councillor King and' himself had been received on their return. The deputation had been put to no inconsiderable expense, more particularly Councillor King who, at great personal inconvenience, had left his business in order to transact that of the ratepayers. He desired to state that during the time the deputation had been in Wellington he had received every assistance from Councillor King," and he cordially admitted that but for the exertions of that gentleman, it is probable they would not have attained the saino amount of success they had. Councillor King congratulated the Council that the proposition for the appointment of a deputation had been adopted instead of sending petitions and telegrams to Ministers. The Council then adjourned.

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