OPUNAKE.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume V, Issue 848, 14 July 1884, Page 2

OPUNAKE.

• (from our own correspondent.) During Major Atkinson's late visit here a deputation consistiug of town and country settlers waited upon him in reference to matters of local importance, more especially with regard to obtaining endowments for and improvements to the bay. In consequence of Major' Atkinson's reply it was deemed advisable by some gentlemen to cnll a public meeting as quickly as possible, which was accordingly done for Thursday night. There was a fair attendance, but owing, no doubt, to the short notice, only a few country 8' ttlers were present. Mr. W. F. Burnett was voted to the chair, and briefly stated the object of the tneetiug. Mr. Breach stated that he had a resolution to put to the meeting. It was required to work out soa.e scheme which would be favorable to ratepayers, aud he believed that the breakwater if constructed should be made to pay for itself, and those who used it should pay for its maintenance. He did not think a rate would be required to be levied, although the ratepayers of the district would agree to a rate as security for a loan. He was informed that in the case of Patea that district had agreed to a rate of Is 6d in the £, but it was significant that the rate had never been levied, He had much pleasure in proposing the following resolution ; — That in the opinion of tin's meeting it is most important that information from a reliable source as to the probable nature and cost of harbor improvements at Opunake be obtained, as early as possible, with a view to placing before the ratepayers a scheme for carrying out such works, if the probable cost is such that the necessary funds could be obtained without unduly burdening the ratepayers. Mr. McKeever bad much pleasure in seconding the resolution. He considered that improvements to the bay should be commencf-d at once, aud by the time the improvements were effected the trade of the port would have increased to such an exteut that the harbor would be selfsupportiug. It would be useless to thick of making a harbor when it was undoubtedly required. , Works should be pushed on as rapidly as possible, and when completed the settlers by that time would be prepared to export considerable quantities of produce. The Chairman mentioned tbat be thought the ratepayers of the district if they rated themselves for harbor improvements for their own district, would have very good grounds for claiming to be exempted from paying to support a harbor, which was practically of no übc tv them. The resolution having been put to the meeting, was carried unanimously. Mr. Brmch proposed, That tbe Hon. Major Atkinson having expressed to a leputation,' which waited on him on tbe mbject on Tuesday last, the 18th inst., jis willingness to obtain from , tbe Ma•ine Engineer such information as he :au furni&b from the data at bis disposal

in the records of the department, and an indication from him. as to the nature, position, and probable cost of such improvements as might be effected at a cost of not more than £50,000, he be respectively requested to obtain such information from tbe engineer at the earliest date compatible with tbe exigencies of the public service. Mr. Allen seconded. Mr. McKeever thought there was no time to loose, and instead of appealing to Major Atkinson, they should communicate with the Government Engineer direct, and this would save any unnecessary delay, and he would like a discussion on ibis point, and moved an amendment to tbat effect, which was seconded by Mr. Simeon. The Chairman stated tbat Major Atkinson was also Ministor of Marine, and be considered it would be exceeding^ impolitic to ignore him in the matter, and besides, the engineer could not reply without first referring the matter to the head of the department, and he considered they would do well if they obtained plans in six months' time. Tbe resolution having been re-read, Mr. Simeon desired to withdraw his support to tbe amendment, as he was entirely in accord with the resolution. Mr. Gordon was sorry to see such a snail attendance of country settlers, which was owing, no doubt, to the shortness of the notice calling tbe meeting. He thought that tbe sum mentioned in tbe resolution, viz., £50,000 was rather too large, and would have tbe effect of frightening the ratepayers, and thought it would be better to state from to ;£50,000, as the limit of costs ot improvements to the bay. He believed that .£30,000 could be borrowed at 6 per cent., to cover interest and sinking fund. Interest would in tbat case be £1800 per annum, which he considered the district could very easily afford to. pay. £500 a year was now paid for lighterage, and he bad no doubt that in two or three years that amount would be tripled, if not quadrupled. He would vote for the resolution, but thought it would be as well not to name so large a sum as the maximum amount required. Mr. McKeever remarked that the sum required might be borrowed, say, in sums of £5000 at a time. The chairman poiuted out that £50,000 was a small sum to go, on the money market for, and even if they desired to obtain £5000 at different times they would have considerable difficulty in raising the money. It was the custom of bodies who obtained loans for works to place all moneys not required for, say, six months out at interest at fixed deposit,, which would help to pay the interest on the whole loar. A gentleman remavked that he thought he- could enlighten the meeting on one point with reference to the amount stated in the resolution. The plan to be adopted would be to first obtain a sketch of the proposed works and estimated cost, which would be submitted to the ratepayers. If the ratepayers approved of the scheme, a Harbor Board would be formed, who would employ their own engineer to prepare plans and estimates of proposed expenditure ; therefore it did not matter what sum was stated at the first going off. The resolution was put and carried, one voice facetiously voting for the noes. Mr. Gordon proposed, "That copies of the resolutions be sent to the Hon. Major Atkinson and to the various local bodies." He complaiued of the ni agre reports of meetings held at Opuuake, which were sent to the Stab often several days after having been held, and which appeared either as locals or from your correspondent, whom he did not lenow* Mr. Ritson seconded the resolution, which was carried. The following resolution, moved by Mr. Pettigrew, and seconded by Mr. Simeon, was also carried : — Tbat the Chairman write to the Minister of Justice, requesting him to change the jurisdiction of the R.M. Court, Opunake, from the Taungatara river to the Oeo river, the last named place being half way io Manaia. This concluded the meeting. [Having been attacked publicly in my capacity as your own correspondent, I desire the indulgence of the editor of replying. Mr. Gordon seems to have ignored tbe fact to suit his purpose that the space at the disposal of a correspondent is not unlimited, and your correspondent is of opinion that, notices of public meetings and local affairs containing the pith of the subject matters are far more beneficial than reports of long-winded speeches which travel over well worn g>'ound,and, your correspondent is sorry Mr. Gordon's name has not appeared so often m reports as he seems to think it should have been.] July 11th, 1884.